Key Points:
- The incident happened at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Idedu, Etiti Amokwe, Enugu.
- The priest was upset that the women refused to move their meeting to another location.
- A video shows the priest storming the venue and stopping the gathering.
It was meant to be a joyful day for the women of Idedu, Etiti Amokwe, Enugu. Their August meeting had been planned for weeks. Colourful outfits, music, and chatter filled St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
However, the mood quickly turned sour when the parish priest arrived. He ordered the women to stop the meeting at once. His reason? They had refused his earlier request to use a different venue.
Priest confronts women at event
In the viral clip, the priest is seen walking into the church hall. His tone was sharp. He told the women they had “no right” to hold the meeting there after he had said no. Shock spread across the faces of the women as they listened.
Several members tried to calm him down. Some pleaded for the meeting to go on, but he stood his ground. Within minutes, the gathering broke apart, with women slowly packing up their items.
Community reaction to the incident
Locals say the August meeting is a long-standing tradition. It brings women from the community together to discuss projects, charity, and welfare. Many expressed sadness that this year’s event ended abruptly.
“This is not how we handle issues in our town,” one elder woman said. “We should talk, not fight.”
On social media, opinions were divided. Some defended the priest’s decision, saying church rules must be respected. Others argued that the women should have been allowed to continue since the meeting is part of community life.
A tradition disrupted
The annual August meeting is a symbol of unity for women in Igbo communities. It is often a time to raise funds for schools, roads, and health care. This year, the disruption has left many feeling disappointed.
While no official statement has been released from the church, residents hope for dialogue to prevent future disputes. For now, the viral video remains a talking point across Enugu and beyond.
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