In a move that could deepen the growing national debate over Liberia’s proposed Public Health Bill, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Liberia (CABICOL) has publicly distanced itself from the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia’s support for the legislation, declaring outright opposition to provisions it says promote abortion.
In a strongly worded statement issued Sunday, June 7, 2026, CABICOL said it was compelled to respond after the Inter-Religious Council endorsed and called for the passage of the Public Health Bill “in its entirety,” stressing that the Catholic Church does not share that position.
“While the Catholic Church shared some important values like justice, peace, reconciliation, human dignity, etc., with our brothers and sisters of other faiths, we want to categorically state that we are not in agreement with the Inter Religious Council in endorsing and requesting the passage of the New Public Health Bill of Liberia in its entirety,” the bishops declared.
The statement revives a long-running dispute surrounding Part X, Chapter 49 of the proposed legislation, which addresses sexual and reproductive health rights, a section that religious groups have increasingly scrutinized.
However, CABICOL reminded lawmakers that it had previously raised concerns about these provisions in August 2023, urging the National Legislature at the time to reconsider the reproductive health chapter.
Anchoring their opposition on religious doctrine and church teachings, the bishops reiterated their rejection of what they described as “justified abortion,” insisting that human life must be protected from conception until natural death.
“In line with the dictate of Divine Mandate, Thou Shall Not Kill and the teaching of the Catholic Church, every human life from conception until death is sacred,” the statement said. The bishops further called on Catholic health institutions and supporters across Liberia to continue defending what they described as the sanctity of life.
The latest position by CABICOL creates a visible divide among Liberia’s faith community at a time when debate surrounding the Public Health Bill is intensifying, with supporters arguing the legislation modernizes healthcare protections while critics warn certain provisions could conflict with religious and moral values.
Signed by senior Catholic leaders including CABICOL President Bishop Anthony Borwah, Bishop Andrew Jagaye Karnley, and Archbishop Gabriel Blamo Jubwe, the statement signals that the Catholic Church intends to remain an active voice in the national conversation as pressure mounts around the bill. With religious institutions now appearing divided, the debate over Liberia’s Public Health Bill may be entering its most contentious phase yet.
