In 1971, the Inter-Territorial Catholic Bishops' Conference (ITCABIC) was duly created as a Conference to coordinate actions of mutual concern to the local Churches of Liberia,Sierra Leone and the Gambia. The founding Fathers of the Conference were: Most Rev. Thomas Brosmaham (Archbishop of Freetown and BO), Most Rev. Augustine Azzolini (Bishop of Makeni), Most Rev. Joseph Ganda (Bishop of Kenema), Most Rev. Micheal Maloney (Bishop of Banjul), Most Rev. Francis Carroll (Vicar Apostolic of Monrovia) and Most Rev. Patrick Kla Juwle (Bishop of Cape Palmas). All are deceased except Most Rev. Joseph Ganda, now Archbishop Emeritus of Freetown.The Conference Secretariat was established in Freetown, Sierra Leone and a secretary General with support staff was appointed.

The first administrative committee handled the Conference's business between plenary meetings and the Secretary General residing in Freetown oversees the work of the Secretariat. The conference was bonded by the following institutions that served the needs of the respective local Churches: the Secretariat, St. Paul's College Seminary, St. Kizito Pre-Major Seminary and Pastoral and Social Center, Kenema. These institutions operated until the outbreak of the civil conflict in Liberia, in 1990, followed by rebel incursions in Sierra Leone thereafter. Thus, it became practically impossible for these institutions to continue operations.

In 1997, some twenty-four years after establishment of ITCABIC, Most Rev. Micheal Kpakala Francis, Archbishop of Monrovia (deceased) through a Memorandum dated February 12, 1997 called for review of ITCABIC's activities in the wake of the new conflict situation in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The Memoradum was sent to member-Bishops of ITCABIC for their reaction. The Archbishop questioned the relevance of ITCABIC as it relates to the Seminaries, Pastoral Center and the Secretariat. The issues raised were expressed thus: "Is the Secretariat meeting the needs of the respective Dioceses?What is the role of the Secretary General Vis-a-vis the constituent-member? Can the major Seminary, St. Paul's meet the needs of the formation of Priests in the local Churches considering the situation in the different countries? Alternatively should Liberia and Sierra Leone have their own Seminaries, and The Gambia could send their students to enter either of them or go elsewhere? Should there be one Pre-Major Seminary for each country and why or why not? Should the Pastoral Center continue to serve the needs of these