Uncertainty has engulfed the Catholic community in Monrovia as the Archdiocese confirms a police investigation into the sudden deaths of two priests, halting all burial preparations.
On Friday, March 20, 2026, the Archdiocese of Monrovia, through Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Blamo Jubwe, Metropolitan Archbishop, disclosed that the Liberia National Police has taken over the matter, describing the deaths of Very Rev. Fr. Alphonsus B. Mombo and Very Rev. Fr. Roland G. Biah as deeply distressing and unexplained.
According to the Archbishop, police authorities have ordered that no embalming be carried out, directing instead that the bodies be preserved for a possible autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation.
He said the church is fully cooperating with state authorities and has instructed the funeral home to adhere to the police’s directives strictly. While mourning the loss, the Archbishop emphasized his commitment to uncovering the truth and assured the public that updates will be provided as soon as official findings are released. Amid the sorrow, the head of the Catholic Church is calling on clergy, congregants, and the wider Christian community to remain prayerful, support the grieving families, and seek strength and hope in this difficult time.
According to him, prayers have also been offered for the repose of the souls of the deceased and all the faithful departed. Last week, our source at St. Peter Clever Catholic Church in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, strongly rejected claims that the deceased priests shared a final meal at the church’s residence. The response follows an allegation from journalist Rhodoxon Fayiah, also a Catholic, who claimed that the late priests had their last meal at the parish before returning to Monrovia.
Calling for an autopsy and investigation into the untimely death of Very Reverend Fathers Alphonsus B. Mombo and Roland Gbandala Biah, journalist Fayiah said, “The Liberia National Police should investigate the circumstances surrounding their deaths by declaring persons of interest, including the Parish Priest of St. Peter Clever Catholic Church in Buchanan, where they had their last meal before returning to Monrovia.”
But in a rather sad and frustrating tone, our source described the allegation as false and deeply troubling, noting that such claims only add to the pain already being endured by the Church and the bereaved families. “No meal was eaten there,” the source clarified, urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified information as the nation mourns. Our source added, “Yes, they slept at the parish house, but there was no meal given. I don’t even think they drank water.”
“Why should a priest kill his brother priest? Yes, we want to know what went wrong, but for an individual or a catholic to say something they know nothing about is wrong.” “I think they should ask the people in the village they visited before going to sleep at St. Peter Clever Catholic Church because I heard that someone from that same place also died,” our source explained.
Both priests, described by many as devoted servants of God, had traveled to Buchanan to attend the funeral of Father Biah’s sister. Since their deaths, speculation has swirled, with some reports alleging possible poisoning, claims that have not been substantiated, but have nonetheless stirred fear and suspicion among the faithful.
Across Monrovia and beyond, voices within the Roman Catholic community are rising, not in anger, but in anguish, calling for clarity, truth, and justice. Meanwhile, preaching at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Garnerville on Sunday, March 15, 2026, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Monrovia, Very Rev Father Ambrose D. Kroma, urged the faithful to pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased, saying, the last time such incident took place was in 1978 when the two Catholic priests died in a space of a week.
“Yes, in times like these, we will hear so many rumors, speculations, and falsities, but please be steadfast and strong in your faith. You will see so many things on social media, people acting and responding, it is expected, but for us Catholics, let us be steadfast,” the Vicar General stated.
He informed the parishioners that he was privileged to have spoken with the doctors, and what he heard is not one for him to discuss. “I was only privileged because the archbishop asked me to follow the issues,” he told the congregation.
