History is Made As Liberian Bishop, David Daniels, Becomes First African President of Council of Bishops of African Methodist Episcopal Church

Liberia Government (Monrovia)

29 June 2011

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was a witness to history on Monday, June 27, as the Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church named a Liberian, Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., as its President, making him the first African so elevated.

At an Investiture Ceremony attended by over 2,000 persons at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Bishop Daniels received the Medallion of office, and pledged to uphold the highest in Christian leadership and to continue, unbroken, the tradition of liberation, love and reconciliation.

During his year-long tenure as President of the Council, Bishop Daniels will continue as head of the 14th Episcopal District that includes Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo-Benin.

Dignitaries attending and participating in the ceremony included Bishops, both active and retired, of the various Episcopal Districts; U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn and members of the South Carolina Caucus; national, state and local government officials; and Columbia City Mayor Steve Benjamin. Also on hand were members of the AME family worldwide, including many Liberians and other well-wishers who traveled to South Carolina for this special occasion.

The Liberian President delivered the Investiture Message, saying it was an honor to witness the Investiture of a son of Liberia as President of the AME Council of Bishops. “We are witnessing history in the making, a first for someone from our tiny country.” The President continued: “This was a trip I had to make, given the magnitude and significance of this event. Having made this commitment to Bishop Daniels two years ago that I would be here, this is a promise that I am proud to keep.”

President Sirleaf called Bishop Daniels “a trailblazer in every sense of the word,” a believer in positive change, someone who had made his country proud, and said that with so many firsts in an exemplary career, “it was only a matter of time for him to rise to where he is today.” The Liberian leader appealed to the Global Council to extend Bishop Daniels’ assignment as head of the 14th Episcopal District, because he’s doing such wonderful work in Liberia.

That the Council of Bishops had selected a dynamic Liberian as its President compelled her to say something about the country from which he hailed, the President said, and so she recalled Liberia’s early history, settled by freed slaves, some, no doubt, from South Carolina, seeking a better life in a land where people of color could truly be free. She spoke of the major role Liberia played in the emancipation of the African continent and in international politics. She also recalled the nation’s recent past, when it took a wrong turn, which led to over two decades of chaos and destruction, before the country finally righted itself.

President Sirleaf described the almost total destruction her government faced upon taking office in 2006, and the historic journey her team embarked upon, “determined to build a nation where peace, stability and a new culture would unite us as a nation.” Faced with thousands of priorities, the government implemented a Poverty Reduction Strategy focused upon consolidating peace and security, revitalizing the economy, rebuilding governance and the rule of law, and rebuilding the nation’s broken infrastructure in order to provide basic services to the Liberian people. She then described government’s successes and challenges under these four pillars.

Said President Sirleaf: “We have thus cleared enormous hurdles in just five years, but we still face numerous challenges. One such challenge is the continued volatility of our sub-region, which has experienced war in the past several years. We have learned lessons, we have changed the way we do things, and we have received a lot of assistance and support from the people of the United States and abroad for our success. Our success is also America’s success,” the Liberian leader declared.

In her Message, the Liberian President also spoke about government’s historical partnership with the Church, recalling that the Church has partnered with the State in providing quality private-school education for Liberia’s students, as well as health services. In that connection, she cited AME’s founding of the Monrovia College and Industrial Training School; establishment of the AME University; the building of two Schools of Excellence; and the construction of the Jefferson-Adams Health Center, to address the health needs of people in underserved communities.

The Investiture celebration included special greetings, musical tributes, and a family tribute by the three gifted daughters of Bishop and Mrs. Daniels, that brought tears to many an eye, when 16-year-old Danica spoke lovingly bout the father she knows and adores, while daughters Davida and Iesha entertained the audience with a musical selection and dance.

Overcome with emotion, the good Bishop, never at a loss for words, could only say “Thank you” to the many people who have touched his life, in getting him to where he is today. One of them was Mr. Richard (Dick) Smith, who was presented the first Annual Ellen Johnson Sirleaf International Interracial Humanitarian Award.

President Sirleaf and her delegation departed the United States for home on Tuesday, June 28, and were expected back in Monrovia the following day.

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