By: Julius Konton
Religious leaders, judicial authorities, legal practitioners, government officials, academics, and members of the Christian community gathered in solemn tribute as the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church (LAC/UMC) celebrated the life and enduring legacy of retired Relieving Judge and Counselor-at-Law, Cllr. James N. Gilayeneh Sr., whose decades of service to Liberia’s judiciary and faith community earned him widespread admiration.
The funeral service, held at the E. Jonathan Goodrich Memorial United Methodist Church in Barnesville, became more than a ceremony of mourning.
It evolved into a national reflection on integrity, justice, faith, and public service, as senior clerics and members of Liberia’s legal establishment paid tribute to a man remembered for his principled leadership and unwavering commitment to humanity.
Delivering the funeral sermon, Resident Bishop of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr., described the late jurist as a humble servant of God and country whose life embodied discipline, fairness, honesty, and compassion.
According to Bishop Quire, the passing of Cllr. Gilayeneh represents a profound loss not only for his immediate family and church community but also for Liberia’s judicial system and broader society.
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven,” Bishop Quire reminded mourners, urging family members, colleagues, and church congregants to find solace in faith while celebrating a life marked by sacrifice, purpose, and service.
The bishop emphasized that while grief filled the atmosphere, the occasion also served as a celebration of a distinguished life dedicated to justice, moral leadership, and Christian devotion.
A Legacy Rooted in Law, Integrity, and Service
Liberia’s judicial system, one of the oldest in Africa and modeled largely after the American legal tradition, has historically relied on seasoned legal professionals to uphold constitutional order and the rule of law. In this context, Bishop Quire said, Cllr. Gilayeneh distinguished himself through years of principled service on the bench and within the legal profession.
He noted that throughout his judicial career, the late legal practitioner remained steadfast in upholding fairness, impartiality, discipline, and dignity, earning the trust and respect of fellow lawyers, judges, litigants, and members of the public.
According to tributes shared during the ceremony, Cllr. Gilayeneh’s commitment to justice extended beyond the courtroom. Even after retirement, he reportedly continued mentoring younger professionals and remained actively engaged in providing moral guidance within legal and church circles.
Bishop Quire described him as a man whose life reflected “honesty, humility, hard work, and respect for humanity,” values he urged Liberians to emulate.
A Devoted Family Patriarch and Churchman
Beyond his professional accomplishments, speakers at the service portrayed the late counselor-at-law as a devoted husband, father, mentor, and protector who valued family unity and spiritual discipline.
Church leaders said his influence stretched across generations, with family members and mentees continuing to draw inspiration from his teachings, wisdom, and moral example.
The Liberia Area Bishop encouraged mourners to preserve the ethical principles for which the late jurist stood, including truth, fairness, humility, and service to society.
“He was not merely a legal mind,” one mourner observed, “he was a moral compass to many.”
Episcopal Church of Liberia Joins in Mourning
In a strong ecumenical gesture, Bishop James B. Salee of the Episcopal Church of Liberia joined the funeral service to express solidarity with the bereaved family on behalf of the Episcopal Diocese of Liberia.
Addressing mourners, Bishop Salee said:
“Put your trust in the Lord, and He will take care of you.”
He stressed that the Episcopal Church had come to identify with the Gilayeneh family in a period of grief and remembrance, underscoring the spiritual unity that often characterizes Liberia’s Christian community during moments of national loss.
Senior Judiciary and National Leaders Attend
The funeral attracted an impressive cross-section of Liberia’s legal, academic, and religious leadership, illustrating the stature and national respect accorded to the late jurist.
Among those in attendance were Associate Justice Jamestta H. Wolokollie of the Supreme Court of Liberia; Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay and members of the judiciary; representatives of the Liberia National Bar Association; and officials of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia.
Also present were senior administrators and faculty members of United Methodist University (UMU), including Rev. Dr. George K. Wheagba, Vice President for Administration; Rev. Dr. Anthony G. Dio, Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Cllr. Medina A. Wesseh, Head of the Interim Management Team at UMU.
Additional attendees included Cllr. Samuel Zunoe, Conference Chancellor of the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church; Fr. EmMeryson P. Harris, Director of Connectional Ministries; Rev. Blidi Nimely, Chairperson of the Board of Ordained Ministry; Rev. Regnald Wade, District Superintendent of the St. Paul River District; Rev. Patrick Lougan, District Superintendent of the Gompa District Conference; and Rev. Dr. Samuel K. Karyeah, Dean of the Bishop John G. Innis Graduate School of Theology.
Members of the clergy, legal fraternity, Christian community, and ordinary Liberians also joined family members to pay their final respects.
Ceremonies of Honor Across Communities
Several ceremonies were organized in honor of the late jurist, reflecting both his legal stature and deep spiritual commitments.
United Methodists paid tribute to his remains at the E. Jonathan Goodrich Memorial United Methodist Church in Barnesville, the Sanniquellie Courtyard, and Gbanh United Methodist Church in Gbanh, where worshippers and community members gathered to celebrate his life and contributions to Christianity, public service, and Liberia’s judicial sector.
The ceremonies symbolized collective gratitude for a man many described as a bridge between faith and justice , a public servant whose influence transcended institutional boundaries.
A Nation Reflects on Service and Legacy
As prayers were offered for the peaceful repose of his soul, church leaders reiterated that Cllr. James N. Gilayeneh Sr.’s contributions to Liberia’s legal profession, judiciary, church, and national development would continue to resonate for generations.
For many mourners, his passing marks the end of an era, but also the continuation of a legacy grounded in ethical leadership, public service, and unwavering Christian faith.
In a country still strengthening democratic governance and judicial credibility, speakers said the values represented by Cllr. Gilayeneh, integrity, justice, humility, and devotion to community remain indispensable to Liberia’s future.
