Johnsonville Township – October 2, 2024­–The Independent Catholic Church of Liberia (ICCL) continues to make strides in the religious landscape of Liberia with the ordination of two new priests. The ordination ceremony, held at the church’s headquarters in Johnsonville Township, marks a significant moment in the church’s mission to serve God and the larger community.

On Sunday, September 29, 2024, Reverend Beyan Kolubah from Lofa County and Reverend Philbert B. Nimely from Grand Kru County were ordained Deacons and Reverend Fathers at the headquarters of the church in Johnsonville Township, Montserrado County after a month-long period of prayers and deliberations led by Bishop Nimely Jarboklay Doyen, the head of the Independent Catholic Church of Liberia. The ordination ceremony was witnessed by Mgsr Oliver Larmine Williams Head of the Orthodox Catholic Church of Sierra Leone (Independent Catholic Church of Sierra Leone), members, religious leaders, and the media.

In his address to the congregation, Rev. Father, Bishop Nimely Jarboklay Doyen emphasized the implication of the ordination, stating that it was not only a landmark for the two newly ordained deacons but also the church’s mission. He urged the new rectors to stay true to their calling and devotedly adhere to the pearls of wisdom of the Holy Bible.

“This ordination is part of God’s divine plan,” said Bishop Doyen. “You have been chosen by God to serve His people, and I encourage you to be unwavering in your commitment to the work of the Church and the progress of the society we live in.”

The Independent Catholic Church of Liberia, which grew out of the Father Donyen ministry Incorporated has been figuring out its inimitable path in Liberia’s religious landscape. The church, which highlights communal life and working together for the common good, rejects the notion of unsocial worship and instead promotes alliance in faith.

Father Donyen was a Roman Catholic priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cape Palmas, Liberia. 

In the Diocese of Cape Palmas, he served as Diocesan Bursar and Cathedral Administrator at the same time.

His love and fidelity to the Catholic Faith in 2015 led him to the Independent Catholic Church. He was consecrated first Bishop of the Independent Catholic Church of Liberia in 2019. It was an honor for him to ordain the first deacons of the Independent Catholic Church of Liberia.

“We believe that Christians are called to grow in discipleship together, bearing witness to Christ and working for justice in the world”, Bishop Doyen said during the ceremony.

He further reminded the new deacons, Rev.Beyan Kolubah and Rev. Philbert B. Nimely that their ordination was not just a title but a call to God’s workings.

Rev. Kolubah and Rev. Nimely from Lofa and Grand Kru Counties respectively expressed their gratitude and commitment to serve, vowing to follow the mission of the Independent Catholic Church and uphold the values of justice, peace, and service to humanity.

The occasion was also graced by family members of the two new deacons who traveled all the way from Lofa and grand Kru Counties to their sons being elevated in their work for the Church and the Christian Community.

The Independent Catholic Church of Liberia, despite its separation from the Roman Catholic Church, continues to gain ground in Liberia, focusing on promoting justice, unity, and Christian values within the community.

MONROVIA – A high-powered delegation from the Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia, led by Archbishop Dr. Monsignor Gabriel Blamo Snosio Jubwe, paid a courtesy call on President Joseph Nyuma Boakai at the Executive Mansion on Thursday, May 30.

After the opening prayer, Archbishop Jubwe expressed gratitude to President Boakai for the government’s representation at his ordination, which was led by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung and attended by other top officials, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia. He also thanked the President for the congratulatory message and for receiving the delegation at the Executive Mansion.

Archbishop Jubwe introduced his delegation, which included the Very Rev. Father Ambrose D. Kromah, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Monrovia and Moderator of the Curia; the Very Rev. Father McDonald Nah, Vicar for Priests; and the Very Rev. Father Dennis Nimely, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishop Conference.

In his remarks, Archbishop Jubwe expressed the Church’s willingness to cooperate and support the government’s efforts in promoting good governance, justice, peace, education, health, and spiritual guidance.

President Joseph Boakai expressed his happiness for the visit and again congratulated Archbishop Jubwe on his appointment. The President recalled the working relationship between the government and the Catholic Church during the leadership of the late Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis. He acknowledged and thanked the Church for its contributions to education and health services in Liberia. He also encouraged the new Archbishop to collaborate with the state in improving the lives of the Liberian people. The President urged the Church to continuously pray for the nation’s transformation, peace, and progress.

At the end of the visit, Archbishop Jubwe presented a statue of the Blessed Mother (the Virgin Mary) to the President, reminding him of the Church’s prayers for him, his family, and the country through Mary, the Mother of the Church. He concluded by giving his episcopal blessing to the President.

The Catholic Church is one of the largest and most influential Christian denominations in Liberia. It plays a significant role in education and health services, with its schools being among the best educational institutions in the country. The Church’s first Liberian Archbishop, the late Michael Francis, was well known for leading the Church in speaking against societal ills and promoting peace and justice. He was succeeded by the late Archbishop Lewis Jerome Zeigler, who was then succeeded by Archbishop Jubwe.