Monrovia, Liberia — The Supreme Court of Liberia has denied a petition for a Writ of Prohibition filed by the United Methodist Church (UMC) and has consequently lifted all restrictions on the use of church properties by the Global Methodist Church (GMC) in Ganta, Nimba County.
Acting through the Justice in Chambers, the Supreme Court has annulled an earlier prohibition that barred the Global Methodist Church from carrying out activities within the Gompa District area. The latest ruling affirms the GMC’s legal right to possess, occupy, and utilize the Ganta Mission properties, pending any future judicial determination.
The decision reverses a prior action taken by the Court earlier in the week, which had placed a temporary prohibition on all parties, preventing the takeover or use of disputed properties in Ganta City. Those properties included key institutions such as the Methodist School and Hospital, with the restriction intended to remain in force until a conference between the two Methodist bodies could be held.
The Gompa District of the United Methodist Church had argued that it remained the lawful owner of the properties currently occupied by the Global Methodist Church, asserting that the breakaway denomination lacked legal authority to control or administer the assets.
However, following a conference convened later on the same day, the Supreme Court lifted the restriction, effectively restoring the Global Methodist Church’s right to resume full activities in the district. The ruling authorizes the GMC to take possession of the contested properties while the broader legal issues surrounding ownership continue to unfold.
The Court’s decision clears the way for a major gathering of Global Methodist Church members in Ganta City, where thousands of worshippers are expected to converge for the denomination’s first annual conference. The event is scheduled to run from Wednesday, February 25, to Sunday, February 28, 2026.
Church officials say the conference will bring together pastors, church leaders, foreign guests, and members from across Liberia to reflect on the GMC’s one-year journey, assess institutional growth, and chart a strategic path for the church’s future.
Observers note that the Supreme Court’s latest ruling marks a significant legal victory for the Global Methodist Church and a pivotal moment in the ongoing dispute between the two Methodist bodies over property rights and ecclesiastical authority in Liberia.
