Monrovia — The Inter-Religious Council of Liberia (IRCL) has thrown its support behind the upcoming Strengthening Families Conference, emphasizing that the event is a national development initiative rather than an effort to promote the doctrines of any particular religious denomination.
The conference, scheduled to open in Monrovia on June 19 and sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, has recently attracted public attention over concerns about its objectives.
However, in a joint statement issued by Liberia's leading interfaith bodies, religious leaders said their assessment found no evidence that the gathering is intended to advance the teachings of any single faith.
According to the statement, the conference will instead serve as a platform for religious communities, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and government officials to discuss ways of strengthening families as a cornerstone of national development.
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"We recognize that strong families are the foundation of a stable and prosperous nation, and we remain committed to supporting efforts that strengthen family life across our country," the council said.
The religious leaders noted that Liberia's family structures have been significantly affected by years of civil conflict, economic hardship, migration, and social transformation.
As a result, many households are now headed by single parents, grandparents, or even children. These realities, the council said, "require compassion, understanding and support, rather than narrow definitions of what constitutes a family."
The statement linked family wellbeing to broader national challenges, including poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, maternal mortality, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and inadequate access to healthcare and education.
The council called for respectful and inclusive discussions on issues affecting women, girls, youth and other vulnerable groups.
"Families cannot be separated from the health, safety, and dignity of the people who make up those families," the statement said.
The council further stressed that policies and decisions concerning Liberian families should emerge through broad national consultation involving government institutions, community leaders, civil society organizations, women and young people.
Religious leaders cautioned that issues relating to family life, culture, health, and social development are too important to be addressed without the participation of trusted national institutions and community stakeholders.
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Reaffirming its position, the council said it supports initiatives that promote the common good rather than the doctrinal interests of any single organization. It also pledged continued collaboration with groups that advance ethical values consistent with religious teachings, particularly on matters affecting family life.
The council disclosed that it had been invited to contribute educational content during the conference and commended organizers for creating space for broader participation.
The Strengthening Families Conference is an annual interfaith gathering sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The 2026 edition will be the eighth in the series, following previous conferences held in Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Sierra Leone that brought together government officials, religious leaders and civil society representatives.
Last year's conference, held in Freetown, Sierra Leone and hosted by Fatima Maada Bio, focused on women's empowerment and child protection.
The statement was read by Rev. Dr. Christopher Wleh Toe and witnessed by Christian and Muslim clergy, including representatives of the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia and the National Muslim Council of Liberia.
