Marriage Is Between Man & Woman -UMC Bishops of Africa Affirms; Welcomes Liberia’s Court Edict on Property

MONROVIA – Western Civilization and Africa’s unbridled obsession to it continues to prove legendary Chinua Achebe right, not only in his Ibo land, but across the Continent, regarding how the man white came and placed a knife on things that held Africa intact. The ripples of that civilization has continued to quell African values—criminalizing Africa’s cherished ethics and laws, and decriminalizing what Africans consider obnoxious and abominable. One of such is ‘Biblical Marriage’ pontificated by their own religion, Christianity, to be a sacrosanct relationship between a ‘female woman’ and a ‘male man’—‘female woman’ and ‘male man’ because Western Civilization has now changed or de-pontificated the definition of natural man and natural woman to some kind of gender semantics, and allowing marriage between ‘female male’ to marry a ‘female woman’ or between a ‘male man’ and ‘male woman’. The flu of the marriage controversy has caught Africa, Liberia not exempt, and there has been quite an uproar, including violence, amongst Liberian United Methodists. But as The Analyst reports, the United Methodist Church in Africa, represented by the Africa College of Bishops, recently met in Luanda, Angola, from where they issued a statement affirming ‘Biblical Marriage’ and expressing delight for Court decision that saved the Church’s property in Liberia.             

From September 1 to 4, Bishops of the United Methodist Church in Africa gathered in Luanda, Angola and promulgated a communique to their brethren across Africa, making a number of declarations including the stinging controversy over marriage, which has been particularly crippling to the worldwide Methodist Church in Africa.

In count 4 of the African Bishops’ statement, they declared upholding their long-standing theological and cultural understanding that marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, in accordance with Scripture as in Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5.

“This view is consistent with our biblical convictions, African traditions, and the laws of our respective nations,” the College of Bishops said. “We remain committed to practicing and teaching a holistic Christian sexual ethic rooted in Scripture and discipleship.”

When the marriage controversy hit Liberia, the Church was not only thrown in verbal hostility between pro-same-sex marriage and anti-same-sex marriage adherents; there were some level of physical altercations, specifically over rightfulness to church property.

At the major gathering in Luanda, the African Bishops did not fail to comment on the situation in Liberia between the two extractions, expressing joy with their brothers and sisters in Liberia “following the recent court decision affirming the rightful ownership of church property.”

They added: “We resolve to preserve, protect, and defend United Methodist Church properties across the continent as sacred trust resources for our mission.”

Celebration of Growth and Leadership

The Africa College of Bishops also said they “joyfully celebrate the vibrant growth of The United Methodist Church in Africa, evidenced by the creation of new episcopal areas – Tanganyika, Burundi/Rwanda and the election of nine new episcopal leaders.”

These developments, they said, “affirm the fruitfulness of our mission and the continuing movement of God’s Spirit among us”.

Regarding their commitment to structural clarity in West Africa, the Bishops expressed recognition to the urgency for the West Africa Central Conference to undertake the important work of redrawing its episcopal boundaries and creating a new episcopal area in Nigeria.

“We affirm this effort as vital for more effective leadership and ministry in the region,” they said.

They also reaffirmed unwavering commitment to the unity of The United Methodist Church, indicating belief in the regionalization as a faithful and strategic path forward-allowing each region to carry out ministry in ways that reflect its cultural, social, and theological context.

This framework upholds our unity in Christ while honoring our diversity, the Bishop declared.

On other resolutions at the Luanda Conference, the Bishop said the following:

Stewardship and Self Sustainability

We affirm our commitment to connectional giving as an expression of our shared mission and responsibility. At the same time, we encourage all annual conferences and episcopal areas to increase local efforts in sustainable ministry, including the development of income generating projects, to further the work of evangelism, education, health care, and community development.

Contextual Adaptation of the Book of Discipline

We support the authority of Central Conferences to adapt the Book of Discipline to reflect their mission context. This ability allows us to maintain doctrinal unity while engaging in ministry that is meaningful and transformative within our African realities.

Call for Peace and an End to Violence

We strongly condemn all forms of violence, especially those rooted in ethnic, political, and religious divisions. We lament the loss of life in regions such as eastern DRC, northern Mozambique, Sudan, and South Sudan. We call upon the global Church to stand with us in prayer and advocacy, as we seek lasting peace, justice, and reconciliation.

Support for Theological Education

We pledge our continued support for the Central Conferences. Theological Education Endowment Fund (CCTEEF). Investing in theological education is crucial for the development of faithful, well-equipped, and visionary leaders who will guide the Church in Africa into the future.

Gratitude to the Republic of Angola

We express our profound gratitude to His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and his government for graciously hosting our gathering in Luanda. We appreciate the warm hospitality and the peaceful environment provided for our deliberations.

We continue to walk forward in humility, boldness, rooted in the Word of God, led by the Holy Spirit and united in the love of Christ. As Africa rises, so too does our responsibility to be a light to the nations.

The statement was approved and signed 4^th day of September 2025 by the Africa College of Bishops, meeting at the Intercontinental Hotel, Luanda, Angola. Those who signed include the following:

• Bishop Mande Muyombo-President of the Africa College of Bishops
• Bishop Daniel Wandabula -President of the East Africa College of Bishops
• Bishop Gaspar Joāo Domingos – President of the Southern Africa College of Bishops
• Bishop Daniel Lunge –President of the Mid Africa College of Bishops
• Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire -President of the West Africa College of Bishops
• Bishop Gift Kudakwashe Machinga- Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana Episcopal Area
• Bishop Nelson Kalombo Ngoy- Tanganyika Episcopal Area Bishop Mujinga Kashala – South Congo/Zambia Episcopal Area
• Bishop Antoine Kalema Tambwe – East Congo Episcopal Area
• Bishop Moisés Bernardo Jungo – East Angola Episcopal Area
• Bishop James Boye-Caulker- Sierra Leone Episcopal Area
• Bishop Ande Ikimun Emmanuel – Nigeria Episcopal Area and Mission Districts of Cameroon and Senegal
• Bishop Emmanuel Sinzohagera – Burundi/Rwanda Episcopal Area
• Bishop João Filimone Sambo –Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini, Madagascar Episcopal Area
• Bishop Gabriel Unda –Retired – Mid Africa Central Conference
• Bishop Owan Tshibang Kasap – Retired- Mid Africa Central Conference
• Bishop Joaquina Nhanala – Retired – Southern Africa Central Conference