Bishop Quire Condemns UMC Violence in Nigeria -Says He’s Saddened by Death, Injuries of Faithful Members

MONROVIA – Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr, President of the West Africa Central Conference has condemned attacks on the United Methodist Members in Nigeria – an incident that reported claimed a life and wounded four others, expressing his sadness and concern the violent deadly ambush on members of the United Methodist Church in the Zailana Dorofai District.

According to an official statement from the United Methodist Church Nigeria Episcopal Area, members of the breakaway Global Methodist Church (GMC) forcefully invaded church property in Zailani and launched an unprovoked attack but were met with stiff resistance from United Methodist members in the area.

 This brutal act led to the tragic killing of Alhaji B. Sambo, a committed member, husband, and father of three. Mrs. Victoria Bawa Michael, widow of a late pastor, was critically wounded alongside other faithful members that include Gideon Hamza, Bolyo Bitrus, and Justice Mani.

“As President of the West Africa Central Conference College of Bishops, I strongly and unequivocally condemn the use of violence as a means of conflict resolution,” said Bisiop Quire in a press statement.

He said such actions only lead to further harm, suffering, and division.

“I however call on the GMC to allow the United Methodist Church in Nigeria and elsewhere to freely do the work of God under the laws of the respective state,” the UMC Bishop said.

“As followers of Jesus Christ and members of the United Methodist Church family, lets uphold peace, justice, and reconciliation as our core values. The use of violence to settle ecclesiastical or property disputes is entirely unacceptable and contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ.”

He also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and injured for and on behalf of the West Africa Central Conference, College of Bishops.

The United Methodist prelate vows standing in solidarity with the United Methodist Church in Nigeria and commits to praying for God’s comfort, healing, and justice during this painful time.

He called on the Nigerian government, the international community, United Methodist church worldwide, and all peace-loving institutions to fully investigate and condemn the incident and ensure that those responsible for these attacks are held accountable.

“As President of the WACC, I therefore urge, United Methodists, in Nigeria, to respond to this tragedy with peace, and do not retaliate or respond to violence with violence and remain steadfast as beacons of hope and love,” he averred. “WACC, continue to pray for Bishop Ande I. Emmanuel, his family, and the entire church community, seeking for their safety, strength, and the healing of the nation and the church.”