Views: 0
The President of the University of Liberia, Prof. Rev. Dr. J. Sarwolo Nelson, Jr., serving as keynote speaker shimmered on the common traits exhibited by the courageous Late Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis of the Catholic Archdiocese of Monrovia, describes him as “a great man of Peace, a great man of Justice & a great man of Faith”, unpacked the main theme of the intellectual discourse, “Adherence to the Rule of Law- The Guarantor for Peace, Justice, Social Cohesion and Prosperity for the Nation”.
In the keynote speech, Prof. Dr. Nelson, Jr. reminded Liberian church leaders that throughout the world, citizens have strived to uphold the rule that none is above the law, everyone is treated equally under the law, and everyone is held accountable to the same laws. Prof. Dr. Nelson, Jr. expressed that there should be clear and fair processes for enforcing laws, where there is an independent judiciary and human rights are guaranteed for all. Prof. Dr. Nelson, Jr. believes that adherence to the rule of law is the foundation for communities of justice, opportunity, and peace – underpinning development, accountable government, and respect for fundamental rights for any nation. He called on Christians, churches, and faith-based organizations to continue to build ministries of peace and reconciliation, speaking out against all forms of violence, and training front-line mediators to hold community dialogues for social cohesion. Prof. Dr. Nelson, Jr. sees faith actors as critical partners in building sustainable peace as they hold trusted positions in their communities and have considerable influence that shifts attitudes and behaviors and if they themselves are adherers to the rule of law.
Speaking earlier at the intellectual discourse was the Bishop of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church and President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), Rev. Dr. Kortu K. Brown. He remarked about the alarming insecurity situations in the country due to conflict between traditional leaders and some pastors in central Liberia.
The Peace Ambassador of Liberia, the Rev. Amb. William R. Tolbert, III, on his part reiterated the need for both duty bearers and right holders to adhere to the rule of law. But further called to ensure that the law is clear, publicized, and stable and is applied evenly. He reminded the church leaders about the late Archbishop Francis’s support to various peace-building missions in West Africa for the Inter-religious Council.
Joining the intellectual discourse, were two astute lawmakers of the National Legislature. Hon. Larry P. Younqoui, Representative, District #8, Nimba County called out on the current church leaders in Liberia for more voices to replicate the late Archbishop Francis’s efforts and appealed that they should not sit down and let the country slip into constitutional crises whenever there is a by-election to be held. On the other hand, Senator Conmany B. Wesseh, River Gee County languished praises on the religious leaders in the country and later questioned their silence on constitutional breaks within the judiciary systems of Liberia, and he concluded that these would undermine the young democracy of Liberia, and lead the country into trouble.
The intellectual discourse brought over 35 esteemed church leaders with four distinguished panelists who gave expert opinions on the subject matter. Pastor Dr. Gamene G. Getteh, Director, Anchor of Hope Counselling & Leadership Development Center illustrated in his expert opinion that Liberia’s history was marred by violence, deceit, and injustice, a situation that necessitated greedy and power-hungry individuals to exceed to power. He alluded that some past leaders did not apply the rule of law, but ruled by the law that dominated the affairs of the country. He called on church leaders in Liberia to become the voice of the voiceless fearlessly attacking the strongholds of injustice as the Late Archbishop Michael K. Francis was a true champion of Peace.
Cllr. Gloria Musu-Scott, Former Chief Justice of Liberia describes that the strongholds of injustice were orchestrated by the Church of England which at that time accepted slavery, colonialism, and apartheid as morally upright. She declares that the “rule of law goes beyond constitutionalism”, and, sometimes people have to make a more conscious approach because human beings have the natural ability to detect fairness.
Rev. Cannon Dr. Herman B. Browne, Priest, St. Timothy Episcopal Church encouraged Liberian church leaders to find ways and strategies to make their voices even louder. Dr. Browne sees silence rendered in Liberia as a form of violence that encourages perpetrators of injustice to continue unhindered.
Cllr. Frances Johnson-Allison, Former Chief of Liberia encouraged citizens to adopt the character of Archbishop Michael K. Francis, whose courage for social justice was unprecedented and unquestioned.
