The funeral ceremonies for two deceased Catholic priests, Rev. Father Alphonsus B. Mombo and Rev. Father Roland G. Biah, of the Archdiocese of Monrovia, begin today amid lingering public concern over the absence of publicly released autopsy and police investigative reports surrounding their deaths.
In an official communication dated May 9, 2026, Metropolitan Archbishop Gabriel Blamo Jubwe informed priests, religious leaders, lay faithful, the Archdiocesan Curia, Stella Maris Polytechnic, and Liberians that the Liberian National Police had completed all procedures requested in connection with the deaths, including an autopsy. According to the Archbishop, the Coroner’s Office communicated to the Church that the remains of the two priests had been released to the archdiocese to proceed with burial arrangements.
“On March 20, 2026, I informed you that the Liberian National Police had requested the archdiocese not to carry out any burial arrangements for our two deceased brother priests and to preserve their remains pending the conclusion of police investigations, including a possible autopsy,” Archbishop Jubwe stated in the memo.
The archbishop further noted that the archdiocese was grateful to the police, the Ministry of Justice, and all individuals involved in the process. He also thanked the families of the deceased priests for their patience, understanding, and cooperation throughout this difficult period.”
Despite confirmation that the autopsy and investigations were completed, neither the police nor the Church has publicly disclosed the findings of the autopsy report or details of the police investigation, prompting continuous public speculation and calls for transparency.
Meanwhile, the homegoing activities of the late priests commence today, Wednesday, May 27, with a candlelight vigil at St. Anthony Parish beginning at 5:00 PM. The event is being organized by the Gardnersville Deanery. On Thursday, May 28, the remains of the priests will be removed from the Samuel Striker Funeral Home to the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Broad Street at 3:30 PM.
The Office of the Dead is scheduled for 5:00 PM, followed by a wake service during which tributes from the Church and the families will be delivered. Also, the final funeral rites will take place on Friday, May 29, with a Mass of Resurrection at 10:00 AM at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. Burial will follow at the Queen of Peace Shrine.
The archdiocese has, at the same time, encouraged organizations, institutions, and individuals wishing to support the funeral arrangements to contact the Vicar General, Very Reverend Ambrose Dayouga Kroma. Archbishop Jubwe called on the faithful to continue praying for the eternal repose of the departed priests and for strength and consolation for their families and the entire Archdiocese.
