Religious Leaders Endorse Families Conference -Reject Doctrinal Misconceptions

By: Anthony Q. Jiffan, Jr 

MONROVIA – Liberia’s leading Christian and Muslim institutions have thrown their full support behind the upcoming Strengthening Families Conference, assuring the public that the event is a non-denominational platform aimed at addressing family wellbeing and national development rather than promoting the teachings of any particular religious organization.

The endorsement was formally announced in a joint statement read by Rev. Dr. Christopher Wleh Toe I, General Secretary of the Liberia Council of Churches, during a gathering attended by senior Christian and Muslim clergy, including representatives of the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia and the National Muslim Council of Liberia.

The declaration comes ahead of the opening of the Strengthening Families Conference in Monrovia on June 19, an event sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and expected to attract religious leaders, government officials, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, development partners, and family advocates from across the region.

Addressing concerns and public discussions surrounding the conference, the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia emphasized that its independent review of the event found no evidence that the gathering is intended to promote the doctrine or religious beliefs of any single faith group.

Instead, the council described the conference as an important platform designed to facilitate dialogue and collaboration on issues affecting families, communities, and national development.

According to the statement, the conference will provide an opportunity for participants to explore practical ways of strengthening families, recognizing that healthy family structures are essential to building stable communities and prosperous nations.

“We recognize that strong families are the foundation of a stable and prosperous nation, and we remain committed to supporting efforts that strengthen family life across our country,” the religious leaders declared.

The council noted that Liberia continues to grapple with complex social realities that have significantly altered traditional family structures over the years. The lingering effects of civil conflict, economic challenges, migration, and rapid social transformation have created diverse family arrangements throughout the country.

Religious leaders observed that many Liberian households are now headed by single parents, grandparents, or even children, reflecting the changing dynamics of family life in contemporary Liberia.

They stressed that such realities require empathy, support, and inclusive approaches rather than rigid interpretations of what constitutes a family.

“The realities facing Liberian families today require compassion, understanding and support,” the statement emphasized, adding that national conversations on family wellbeing must take into account the varied experiences and challenges confronting households across the country.

The interfaith coalition further linked the discussion on family strengthening to a range of pressing social issues that continue to affect the welfare of Liberians.

Among the concerns highlighted were poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, maternal mortality, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, inadequate healthcare services, and barriers to quality education.

According to the religious leaders, meaningful efforts to strengthen families cannot be separated from addressing these broader social and economic challenges.

“Families cannot be separated from the health, safety, and dignity of the people who make up those families,” the statement said.

The council argued that any comprehensive strategy for family development must include measures that improve educational opportunities, protect women and children, expand access to healthcare, promote community safety, and empower vulnerable populations.

Particular attention was given to the welfare of women, girls, and young people, whom the council identified as key stakeholders in the future of Liberian society.

The religious leaders called for respectful and inclusive dialogue on issues affecting these groups, emphasizing the importance of ensuring access to accurate information, security, essential services, and opportunities for personal development.

The statement also underscored the importance of broad national consultation in shaping policies and initiatives affecting family life.

According to the council, decisions concerning family welfare, social development, culture, and public health should emerge through collaborative engagement involving government institutions, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, women’s groups, youth organizations, and religious communities.

The coalition cautioned against advancing major social initiatives without meaningful participation from institutions that have historically played a central role in guiding and supporting Liberian society.

The council noted that faith-based organizations have long been trusted partners in community development, education, healthcare delivery, and peacebuilding efforts across the country.

As such, religious leaders argued that their voices remain essential in discussions relating to the future of Liberian families and communities.

The statement further reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to supporting programs and initiatives that advance the broader interests of society while remaining consistent with ethical and moral principles rooted in faith traditions.

The council stressed that its support for the Strengthening Families Conference is based on the event’s focus on family wellbeing and social development rather than any denominational agenda.

“Our support is directed toward efforts that strengthen families and promote the common good,” the statement indicated, while reaffirming the coalition’s willingness to collaborate with organizations whose programs align with values that encourage responsible family life and social cohesion.

Religious leaders also welcomed the opportunity extended to them by conference organizers to contribute educational content and participate in discussions during the event.

They commended organizers for creating a platform that encourages dialogue among diverse sectors of society and promotes cooperation on issues of national importance.

The Strengthening Families Conference has become a prominent annual interfaith initiative in West Africa, bringing together policymakers, faith leaders, development practitioners, and civil society actors to discuss strategies for strengthening family institutions and improving social outcomes.

The 2026 conference marks the eighth edition of the gathering and follows previous successful events held in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Sierra Leone.

Organizers say this year’s conference will build on lessons from previous editions while addressing contemporary challenges facing families across the region.

The 2025 conference, hosted in Freetown under the patronage of Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, focused heavily on women’s empowerment and child protection, drawing widespread participation from government officials, religious leaders, and development organizations.

With Liberia preparing to host this year’s edition, expectations are high that the conference will generate meaningful conversations and actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening family structures, promoting social stability, and supporting national development.

The endorsement by Liberia’s leading Christian and Muslim institutions is expected to boost public confidence in the conference and reinforce its message that strong families remain a critical pillar of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.

As preparations continue for the June 19 opening, organizers and religious leaders alike are expressing optimism that the gathering will serve as a unifying platform where diverse voices can collaborate in addressing some of the most pressing social issues confronting Liberian families today.