A deepening wave of grief has engulfed Liberia’s Catholic community as the National Catholic Laity Council of Liberia issued a solemn message of sympathy following the sudden deaths of two prominent priests, Very Reverend Fathers Alphonsus Mombo and Roland G. Biah.
In a strongly worded statement released Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the Council described the deaths as a devastating loss not only to the Church but to the nation, as it extended condolences to Archbishop Dr. Gabriel Blamo Jubwe, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Liberia (CABICOL), clergy, and the wider faithful.
The Council honored the fallen priests for their dedication to faith and service. Father Mombo was the Rector of St. Charles Lwanga Pre-Major Seminary, while Father Biah served as Pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish and Chaplain of the Archdiocesan Youth and Young Adult Association, guiding youth within the Church.
“We join the Church in mourning these devoted servants,” the statement emphasized, noting that their contributions would be remembered, “with gratitude and deep respect.” But beneath the solemn tone lies a growing sense of unease and unanswered questions surrounding the circumstances of their deaths, fueling public concern and intensifying the emotional toll on an already grieving community.
The Laity Council called on Catholics across Liberia to remain prayerful and united, urging the faithful to seek strength in faith during what it described as “difficult times of great loss.” Prayers were also offered for the repose of the priests’ souls, with the Council invoking divine mercy for eternal rest and comfort for bereaved families.
As tributes continue to pour in, the deaths of Fathers Mombo and Biah have left a painful void in Liberia’s Catholic Church, one that underscores not only the loss of two spiritual leaders but a moment of collective mourning shadowed by lingering uncertainty.
