Congregation for Evangelization of Peoples Mourns New Apostolic Administrator in Liberia

Monrovia, 21 September, 2021 / 7:59 PM

The leadership of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples has eulogized the Apostolic Administrator of Liberia’s Monrovia Archdiocese as a “loyal servant of the Church.”

Fr. Charles Edmund Boyce, 57, whom Pope Francis appointed as Apostolic Administrator of Monrovia in June died on Sunday, September 19 while receiving treatment for “a terminal illness” at the Rainbow Health Centre New Matladi, Fr. Patrick Kabba announced on behalf of the College of Consultors of the Liberian Archdiocese. 

“With sadness the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples has learned of the death of the Very Reverend Charles E. Boyce, the Apostolic Administrator of Monrovia,” the leadership of the Vatican-based entity of the Roman Curia says in a statement signed by the Prefect and Secretary, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle and Protase Cardinal Rugambwa, respectively. 

In the statement published Monday, September 20, the Cardinals express “heartfelt condolences to the Archdiocese of Monrovia and Prayers with you for the eternal repose of the soul of this loyal servant of the Church.”

“On this occasion, we pray, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Reverend Charles E. Boyce, may now receive the eternal reward God has prepared for His Good and faithful servants,” the Vatican-based Cardinals say in the statement addressed to Fr. Kabba. 

Fr. Boyce was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Monrovia following the retirement of 77-year-old Archbishop Lewis Jerome Zeigler. 

Prior to the June appointment, Fr. Boyce served as the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Monrovia. 

In the statement announcing his demise, members of the college of Consultors of the Liberian Archdiocese say they rejoice “in the confident knowledge that he (Fr. Boyce) is at peace.”

In a September 19 message shared on Facebook, the Executive Director of Caritas Sierra Leone, Fr. Peter Konteh, says the late Liberian Cleric has left lasting impressions on those he interacted with.

“Friendship transcends death. Memories made will never be forgotten and created a lasting impression on those they left behind. Everyone became a better person for having such a wonderful friend,” Fr. Konteh says in his Facebook post. 

He adds, “Losing a friend is like losing the sibling you never had. A devastating moment that will change you forever.”

“A friend taken from life too soon is nothing but tragedy. His death affects everyone who knew and loved him,” Fr. Konteh says, and adds in reference to late Apostolic Administrator of Monrovia Archdiocese, “We will honor his legacy and remember him always.”