Catholic Bishops Release Lenten Pastoral Message -Point Out Issues of Good Governance, Reconciliation

MONROVIA – It seems the Liberian Christian community is gradually waking up from its slumbers as the country is embroiled in post-election hatred and bitterness amongst citizens, power struggles heating up amongst politicians and social services and security remain a luxury. In recent time, there have been public outcries over these vexing national issues apparently underpinned by the lethargy of “people of God” or the Liberian religious community that is the moral voice of society. Now after the Catholic Bishops Conference held in Monrovia over the weekend, the National Secretariat of the Conference of Liberia has released the Church’s 2025 Lenten Pastoral Message on the theme, “Repent and Believe in the Gospel” with further comments on social, economic and political realities prevailing in the country. The Analyst reports.  

The Liberia Catholic Bishop Conference has concluded yet other deliberations geared to preparations for this year’s Holy Season of Lent, a season that recalls a time of preparation for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery – suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Church has spoken to a range of topical national issues prevailing.

The Conference spoke to a range of national development, including reconciliation, the new public health bill, governance amongst others.

Reconciliation

The Conference reflected on decades of strife and division that has plagued the nation – the ‘old age demons of division’ hampering progress towards reconciliation.

The pastoral message of the bishops indicated that citizens have seen fellow citizens through the spectrum of political affiliations, tribal and regional lines, alienating those who do not belong to their unique circles.

They said many have forgotten to know that all of humans are created in the image and likeness of God, and endowed with certain inalienable rights among which are life, liberty, freedom of speech and religion, pursuit of happiness, to mention but a few.

“These rifts within the social fabric of our society make us to sacrifice meritocracy to favoritism, nepotism, discrimination, and other related vices – leading to the slow progress of our nation,” the Catholic bishops further said. “While conflict is inevitable within every society, inter personal and ideological conflicts which culminate in violence and destruction are detrimental to our growth.

“Sadly, it is also worth noting that these ‘demons of divisions’ have infiltrated our families, causing separation between spouses; children and parents and extended families. No human family is perfect. Rather, we are all called to perfection.”

They called on citizens to seek forgiveness from one another and from God, :whom we ultimately offend when we yield to these divisions”.

New Public Health Bill

The Pastor Message put up and signed by Most Rev. Anthony Fallah Borwah, President of CABICOL/ Bishop of Gbarnga; Most Rev. Gabriel Blamo Jubwe, Metropolitan Archbishop of Monrovia, and Most Rev. Andrew Jagaye Karnley, Bishop of Cape Palmas, remember bigots of

the fundamental and inalienable rights of every human being to the right to life, stating that in recent times, the proposed new public health bill, through the influence of some external forces, is diametrically opposing this basic right, through the legalization of abortion.

As in the past, collaborating with the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC) and the National Muslim council, the Bishops reiterated their resounding “No” to this bill and its other subsequent tendencies of same sex marriage, euthanasia, etc.

“The Church’s perennial teaching as inscribed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is that ‘human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception till its normal end,’” the contended.

Governance

Regarding governance, the Pastoral Message asserted that since the end of the Liberian senseless civil crisis which saw the destruction of the lives of quarter of a million of our people, “we have made tremendous strides in consolidating our democratic process. ln fact, we are greatly admired in the sub region for our peaceful transfer of power”.

Continuing, the Message indicated: “However, the recent happenings on Capitol Hill, specifically in the House of Representatives of the 55th Legislature of the Republic of Liberia, are concerning and have the propensity of not only undermining our democratic gains but even derailing all that we have achieved thus far, if care is not taken. We fervently call on the honorable members of the House of Representatives to adhere to the Rule of Law and subscribe to the Principle of Accountability in the discharge of their duties.”

National Budget

The bishops did not leave out the issues of the controversial national budget, stating their attention is drawn to concerns which have arisen over the years and even now about the national budget.

One of such concerns, they maintained, based on budget analysis, is the high allocation of funds for recurring expenditure in government in relation to development and social welfare expenditure.

“Another concern is the manipulation of the budget in its crafting to serve particular and even individual interests rather than the common good,” the bishops said in the statement. “The disproportionate allocation of funds in the budget as well as the manipulation of the budget cannot put Liberia on the path of growth and development. Regarding the budget, there should be accountability and transparency within the three branches of government.”

They reminded the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary branches of government to work together in mutual respect for the common good of Liberian people.

“Take the words of our Lord seriously, who come to serve, and not be served,” the added.

War and Economic Crimes Court

 The Catholic bishops intoned that during this year’s Holy Season of Lent, a time to repent and be reconciled with God and one another, “we would like to remind ourselves about one of the trending issues of our country: Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court.”

“We recall the Church’s stances through the voice of our predecessors of blessed memory, especially Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis, the Conscience of the Nation, stating in his pastoral Letter of January L2, 2OAg entitled ‘Justice-Peace-Reconciliation’ that ‘if we do not have justice in this country we will not have peace and consequently reconciliation’”.

They recalled that at the end of their Plenary Assembly in April 2019 on Reconciliation in Harper, Maryland County, in a Pastoral Communique entitled ‘Neither Do I Condemn You’ they did emphatically propose a National Dialogue of all stakeholders on the possible establishment of War and Economic Crimes Tribunal and the implementation of other recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

Looking therefore into the “signs of the times” and hearing from deep down in the recesses of  their hearts, the bishops further said the voices and ‘blood’ of many of Liberian brothers and sisters, victims of our senseless civil crisis, “we would like to reiterate our unchanging position on reconciliation, accountability and justice”.

They quoted President Joseph N. Boakai’s pronouncement to respect the Recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that calls for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC).

“We believe that the establishment of the Court will initiate the process of accountability, justice, healing and reconciliation. We, as well, can earnestly begin the complicated and daunting exercise of ending the culture of impunity, which has been grotesquely normalized in Liberia,” said the bishops.

The Jubilee Year of Hope

According to the catholic elites, the Jubilee Year of Hope is an opportune time for conversion and reawakening of hope in the mercy of God.

“Hence, let us celebrate it by keeping in focus its purpose in striving for the holiness of life, strengthening the Church’s witness to God’s mercy, fostering a global solidarity and brotherhood, caring for the environment and sharing the hope of the Christian faith.”