The United Methodist Church in Guinea, under the supervision of the Liberia Annual Conference (LAC/UMC) has been dissolved with immediate effect.
Authorities in Guinea said the decision is in response to the worldwide United Methodist Church endorsement of same-sex marriage and homosexual practices.
It can be recalled that the United Methodist Church (UMC) worldwide recently lifted bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination LGBTQ+ clergy. The church’s decision has led to divisions within its congregation, with some members choosing to disaffiliate.
Following the endorsement, the Guinea circuit of the United Methodist Church in Liberia rolled out a fact-finding initiative to establish the consequences of the decision on their faith and the laws of their country. A formal investigation was conducted by the Guinean council of churches, which later informed the government of its position.
The investigation confirmed the endorsement of homosexual practices in the worldwide UMC, and the Council of Church advised the government to revoke the license of the UMC to operate in Guinea. Authorities have acted on the recommendation and revoked the permit of the LAC/UMC to operate churches in Guinea.
Sources confirmed that the Bishop of the United Methodist Church in Liberia, Samuel Quire was denied entry in Guinea on two occasions without explanation. Denial of entry of a prominent ECOWAS citizen like the head of a Church organization raised concerns.
The Guinea circuit of the LAC/UMC consisted of nineteen (19) churches up to the time of the revocation. Members of the Methodist churches from Guinea are currently participating in the Convening Conference of the Global Methodist Church in Ganta, Nimba County.
Report has it that in the coming weeks, the Guinean circuit is expected to officially join the Global Methodist Church (GMC) in Liberia, a breakaway faction of the LAC/UMC over human sexuality.
When contacted, authorities of the LAC/UMC denied the allegations claiming false and misleading. “We are in charge of our properties in the Republic of Guinea'”.
The UMC added that the information is misleading and far from the truth. It is only the UMC that has the authority to dissolve the UMC and not the Guinean authorities. Except where the UMC goes against the Guinean laws.
The GMC is hosting its convening conference in Ganta, under the theme “Growing Christian Discipline for the Transformation of the Church and Society”, the conference is bringing together hundreds of Global methodists from across the country.
Presided over by Bishop John Pena Auta, GMC was officially launched in February 2025, after a breakaway from the UMC, and has about 150 churches across Liberia, with plans to plant more churches in unreached communities.
