The Catholic Bishops in Liberia noted that while conflict is inevitable within every society, interpersonal and ideological conflicts that culminate in violence and destruction are detrimental to growth.
In the statement that their President, Bishop Anthony Fallah Borwah of Gbarnga Diocese, signed, CABICOL members regretted that division has also infiltrated families in the country, causing separation between spouses, children and parents, and extended families.
“No human family is perfect. Rather, we are all called to perfection. Thus, plagued by these human limitations, we ought to seek forgiveness from one another and from God, whom we ultimately offend when we yield to these divisions,” they said.
On governance issues in the country, the Bishops acknowledged with appreciation progress in the democratic process since the end of the country’s civil crisis, “which saw the destruction of the lives of a quarter of a million of our people.”
They, however, expressed fear that the democratic process being enjoyed in the country may be jeopardized by some of the violent activities, including the 18 December 2024 arson on the country’s Capitol Hill building that was set ablaze, causing extensive damage.
The arson and other happenings in the country, the Bishops said, “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.”
In the statement that Bishop Andrew Jagaye Karnley of Cape Palmas Diocese and Archbishop Gabriel Blamo Jubwe of Monrovia Archdiocese also signed, the Bishops further weighed in on the country’s national budget, which they said had been highly contested.
They highlighted the high allocation of funds for recurring expenditure in government to development and social welfare expenditure and the manipulation of the budget in its crafting to serve individual interests rather than the common good.
Based on the concerns, which also include the disproportionate allocation of funds and manipulation of the budget, the Bishops said, “We remind the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branches of government to work together in mutual respect for the common good of our people.”
“Looking, therefore into the ‘signs of the times’ and hearing from deep down in the recesses of our hearts, the voices and ‘blood’ of many of our brothers and sisters, victims of our senseless civil crisis, we would like to reiterate our unchanging position on reconciliation, accountability, and justice,” they said.
