IPNEWS: It has been 11 years since Liberians and Catholics the world over mourned the loss of one of their most important and visionary leaders the late Archbishop Michael K. Francis on May 19, 2013.
Emeritus Archbishop Michael Kpakala Francis, one of Africaโs outstanding advocates for justice, human rights and good governance. A courageous preacher who spoke truth to power and advocated for the rule of law, Archbishop Francis served as the moral conscience for society, especially for Liberiaโs political elite. He was a fearless critique of the oppressive regimes of Samuel Doe and Charles Taylor.
Since his passing Liberia is yet to see another Michael Kpakala Francis.
On today, Saturday, May 4, 2024, the Catholic Church in Liberia will hold the Episcopal Ordination of Very Rev. Monsignor Dr. Gabriel Blamo Snosio Jubwe as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Monrovia, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral on Broad Street in Monrovia. The Pontifical Mass is expected to be graced by international delegates from the Vatican in Rome, Italy, the United States of America, Europe and Africa.
Already in the country are regional prelates from the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria as well as the local bishops and lay faithful from the three dioceses in Liberia: Cape Palmas, Gbarnga and the Archdiocese of Monrovia. The ordination will be followed by a thanksgiving mass on tomorrow Sunday, May 5, 2024, to be celebrated by the new Archbishop.
According to the Episcopal Ordination Committee, Monsignor Jubwe becomes the third Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Monrovia after Archbishop Lewis Jerome Zeglier and Michael Kpakala Francis, both deceased. Bishop Zeglier resigned in 2021 before his passing in August 2022.
The Very Reverend Monsignor Jubwe will be ordained as Bishop and will immediately ascend to the throne as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Monrovia or the ecclesiastical province of Liberia, making him the first prelate to undergo this transition in the Catholic Church in Liberia.
It may be recalled, on Tuesday, February 28, 2024, the Holy Father, Pope Francis through the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Walter Erbi, wrote a letter appointing Most Very Rev. Monsignor Gabriel Blamo Jubwe, as the new Archbishop of Monrovia.
The communication stated, โIt is with great joy that I write to inform you officially that the Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed you as the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Monrovia. The date of publication of this appointment will be Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 12:00 noon in Rome that is 11:00 AM in Liberia.โ
Monsignor Jubwe comes to the Archbishopric with a wealth of experience, having been a priest for over four decades within the Archdiocese of Monrovia and serving in many key roles, including Rector of the Sacred Heart Cathedralโthe Parish of the Archbishop, Vicar General (1996-2000), Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Liberia (1998-2001), Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (1999-2004), Rector of the Saint Paul Major Seminary in Gbarnga (2001-2007), and member of the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Monrovia (2006-2021) among many others.
Meanwhile, the Protocol Committee for the Episcopal Ordination has announced that reception after the Pontifical Mass will be held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ministerial Complex for invited guests, while another will held within the compound of the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
