The Civil Law Court at the Temple of Justice has put an end to a “fierce fight” between the United Methodist Church (UMC) and the newly established Global Methodist Church (GMC) over the United Methodist Church’s properties.
The GMC, which is a break away denomination from the UMC, according to a release, was established in February, 2025, and has since claimed ownership to properties of the UMC for which GMC was taken before the Civil Law Court to establish who really owns the properties.
After all of the ups and downs and property fights, Judge George W. Smith, in a ruling, made it clear that those who left the UMC have “no right to take or claim any church property.”
The breakaway group, led by Reverend Jerry P. Kulah, had argued that they were entitled to a share of the UMC properties including churches, schools, hospitals, and other facilities after they left and formed the GMC.
The judge ruled that once they left the UMC, they gave up any rights to its properties. “You can’t claim what you don’t own,” Judge Smith pointed out indicating several key legal principles.
The court also ruled that Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr., the leader of the UMC Liberia Annual Conference (LAC), “had no legal authority to hand over or divide church properties to the breakaway group.”
The court said those properties are held in trust by the church official trustees and not individuals or groups who decide to walk away.
In its final judgment, the court declared that the GMC and Rev. Kulah have no legal claims to any UMC properties.
“They are not allowed to use, possess, or transfer any of the UMC’s buildings, land, or materials.
The ruling also indicates that, “They are forbidden from removing signs or anything that belongs to the UMC Liberia Annual Conference.
The case came from a petition for declaratory judgment a legal move asking the court to make a clear ruling.
The judgment now sets a big example for how church property fights will be handled in the future.
Many are of the conviction that the decision strengthens the UMC legal control over its assets and sends a strong message to anyone thinking of leaving and taking church property with them.