Worcester, Massachusetts — My Fellow Liberians, Brothers and Sisters of the Faith Community in Liberia, Our Young People, the Precious Jewels and Future Leaders of the Blessed Nation, Liberia:
I extend to you heartfelt greetings, love and peace in the name of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Consistent with both the Biblical reference to and the temporal worldview of the Church as a peacemaking, forgiving and reconciling community, I consider it an imperative pastoral duty to once more address a crucial aspect of the Liberian peace process. That process relates to the just-ended elections in our beloved country. The motivation to re-echo myself on this issue is also based on the strong sense of patriotism which we as Liberians must always exhibit for the good of our nation, ourselves and posterity.
The event of Sunday, December 11, 2005 demonstrates once again that a good number of Liberians have not seen the need for peace in our beloved country.
For nearly fifteen years, a culture of hostility and violence has been a way of life in Liberia, thereby accounting for the deaths of thousands of men, women and children, while forcing many more to seek refuge in countries around the world.
One would think that after the November 8 run-off elections, confirmed by the international community, to have been conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner, Liberians would finally embrace peace, unity, reconciliation and forgiveness as the way forward.
It is regrettable, however, and a total disgrace and lack of appreciation for the good work the international community continues to do for the restoration of peace in our Land, that some Liberians would disregard the decision of Liberia's Elections Commission and advocate violence and further division of our people.
It is also a disrespect to African and Western leaders who recognized and congratulated Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as President-elect of Liberia, and I am of the candid opinion that these leaders still stand by their declaration.
We take this opportunity to appeal to the International Community not to give up on Liberia as a result of the Sunday, December 11 incident but to continue in their strive to bring total peace and sanity to Liberia.
With Liberians scattered at home and abroad, traumatized and in a state of lukewarm- ness, frustrated and in deep despair, hungry and jobless, we believe it is high time that we move away from conflict making to rebuilding our shattered lives and country.
Our crisis over the years has occasioned for us great responsibilities and requires collective national effects to restore the rights of all Liberians, to live in peace and human dignity.
It is also time that every Liberian submits to the will of God by rallying around Madam Sirleaf so that finding a safe place for our children will no longer be a dream, and our young people will have a right to free academic, vocational and technical education throughout our land.
As such, being a father, big brother, friend and counselor to all young people in Liberia, I therefore wish to make a humble appeal to our children to renounce violence and war which only destroy a nation and its people and accept the results of the election as a God-given opportunity to prepare themselves for leadership and productive work in the country.
While we anticipate the future of our country, we envision a violent-free society, characterized by love for all and a united, disciplined spirit, integrity, honesty, and faithfulness, consistent to the peace of God.
As spiritual head of The United Methodist Church in Liberia, I wish to make a passionate appeal to Ambassador George Weah, himself a member of the United Methodist Family, as well as members of his C.D.C. Party to accept the announced results of the November 8 run-off elections and thus protect our country with the love it deserves.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, may God in His infinite mercy shower His blessings upon us as a nation and people, committing our ways unto Him.
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We commend our security forces, under the Ministry of Justice and the United Nations forces in Liberia for risking their lives to bring the situation under control, and express our profound sympathy to all who sustained injuries during the fracas.
We moreover, appeal to the religious community to spare no efforts in praying for the peace and stability of our country, knowing that no matter what, God will liberate Liberia as we walk the path of peace.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Liberians and our partners in the peace process. May God Bless Us All.
The Rev. Dr. John Innis is resident Bishop of the United Methodist Church in Liberia, which is headquartered in Monrovia. He is currently in the United States and will be returning to Liberia on December 27. He has established the Liberia United Methodist Empowerment Foundation to accept contributions for reconstruction of the church's work in post-war Liberia.
