Episcopalians in Liberia Caught in Violence, Hoping for Ceasefire
Episcopal News Service. June 11, 2003 [2003-130]
Margaret Larom
Bishop Edward Neufville II of the Episcopal Church in Liberia reported June 11 in a conversation with the Office of Anglican and Global Relations that he is safe in the capital city of Monrovia--despite the chaos and danger that engulfed the city during the last week.
Reached on his cell phone, he described the situation in Liberia, where rebel forces reportedly control two-thirds of the country, as 'the most serious ever.' But the news of a ceasefire agreement signed by warring factions only hours earlier had heartened everyone. 'We hope the parties will live up to it, and provide a safe corridor for people to go back and forth,' he said. 'We are waiting for more details.'
Asked about the safety and whereabouts of Episcopal clergy and staff of the diocese, he said those based in Monrovia are safe, though many are displaced. The Rev. Edward Gbe, a parish priest who also provides ministry in the Port of Monrovia, managed to escape through enemy lines with his family. 'They took his laptop, and his shoes, but he and his family are safe, thank God, even though they are now displaced,' said the bishop.
There is no word, however, from any clergy in the Cape Palmas area, nor from Cape Mount, and nothing from schools and hospitals beyond the city. Neufville was in contact some days ago with the principal of the girls' school at Bromley, on the banks of the St. Paul River, who reported that the eight or nine staff and 30 day students were stuck there. After the battery died on the principal's cell phone, communication stopped and the bishop is concerned that they may be having problems with food.
Food is scarce in capital
In Monrovia, 'food is scarce and getting very expensive,' the bishop reported. Asked about water, he laughed. 'Well, we have hand pumps but actually it's raining cats and dogs.' He said this is very hard on the thousands of displaced persons trying to find shelter at the stadium and other public buildings. 'Imagine, all those women and children in this rain.'
Neufville had been in the U.S. recently to tend to family and diocesan business. But on Tuesday, June 3, he flew back to Africa, arriving in Liberia on Wednesday, June 4, the day that an international court revealed its indictment of President Charles Taylor on charges of war crimes. Word that an arrest warrant had been issued, and that he abruptly left peace talks with rebels (hosted in Ghana), quickly led to an upsurge in the rebel push into Monrovia, and a corresponding spread of fear and tension throughout the city and its suburbs.
'He flew right into it!' lamented Louise Neufville early Monday morning from Marietta, Georgia, where she had gone to stay with one of the Neufville daughters after accompanying her husband to the airport Tuesday. On Wednesday he was picked up at the airport and taken to his home, where he was forced to remain, isolated and alone, for the next few days.
Concern for his safety, and for the well-being of others, was uppermost in her mind as she reeled off cell phone numbers for the bishop and half a dozen other clergy in the area. 'This has been the longest weekend of my life,' declared another daughter who lives in Sumter, South Carolina, imagining the danger her father was facing, with no one able to get to him.
Meanwhile, on Monday, June 9, hearing news that Americans and Europeans were being evacuated by helicopter, the bishop walked to the U.S. Embassy area. There he encountered 'thousands and thousands of people--quite a frightening sight' and spoke to the U.S. Marine supervising the gates. 'I showed him my green card, and he said, "We are evacuating U.S. citizens and other nationals. After that we'll do what we can for people who hold green cards.''
(Jere Skipper of the church's Washington office contacted the embassy so that they were aware of the church's situation.)
Risky situation
On Tuesday, the bishop was able to check on his mother . 'She is okay and in a safe place.' On June 11 he went to Roberts Field airport with the Rev. Abioseh Flemister to see about possible evacuation flights to Freetown, Sierra Leone. 'Abby,' as she is affectionately known to friends in Columbus, Ohio, where her husband resides and where she lives part time, returned to Liberia on May 28. Although she had retired last year, she felt unable to stay away from helping her beleaguered church, and returned to full-time service with the diocese earlier this year.
For the moment, the bishop said he intends 'to stay put and watch things. You know, I'm due back in the States in July' [for General Convention, where the bishop and deputies have seat and voice as part of the covenant agreement dating from 1982]. 'Meanwhile, depending on the outcome of the cease-fire agreement, I can do office work and other business.' He said that the diocesan employees have been stuck 'where they are' but he hoped some could return to the office soon. 'No banks are open, all businesses are closed, the Lebanese and Indians [who are the merchants] are all being evacuated to Freetown and Ghana,' he said. 'It's risky to open.'
Asked what people in the U.S. could do, he said, 'Please continue to pray for us. And, use your kind offices to influence Washington to get an intervention force here. We need them to stand between rebel forces and government security forces, to protect the civilians so we can move about freely and businesses can resume.'
He expressed deep appreciation for the relief that has been approved by Episcopal Relief and Development. 'It's difficult to get around, and no banks are open,' he said, but as soon as action was possible, he would take it.
Setback for Cuttington College
As for Cuttington College, the new fighting in Monrovia was a definite setback. The Episcopal Church institution was forced to evacuate from its upcountry location in May, for the second time in a year, due to incursions by rebels into the Gbarnga area. Although students, staff, and equipment all were brought safely to Monrovia, the administration faced a major challenge in locating the classroom space necessary for more than 500 students to finish the academic year. Especially important is the senior class, anxious to take exams and graduate (the commencement had been scheduled for July 27, but whether that is still possible is unknown at this time).
Dr. Henrique Tokpa, who succeeded Dr. Melvin Mason as president of the college in August 2002, also has been in the U.S. recently, to attend the annual Cuttington Alumni/ae Reunion in Silver Spring, Maryland, and to work on a grant request to restore the college's water system, among other business. He said he has been in touch with his senior staff at least twice a day, by cell phone. They have been at work in the college's office (on an upper floor of a bank building in downtown Monrovia), and Tuesday afternoon were able to get out to buy some provisions.
'The cease fire was being respected because ECOWAS' officials and the International Monitoring Group officials were in Monrovia negotiating with President Taylor in an effort to end the war,' Dr. Saim Naame, Cuttington's vice president for academic affairs, reported to Tokpa. 'Although the city is tense, people are moving about and there is high hope that the meeting will yield fruitful results.'