Parish Autonomy Dispute Sparks Altercation As Catholic Priest Disagrees With Women’s August Meeting Gathering At St. Mary’s Outstation In Udi

UDI, NIGERIA — An internal administrative disagreement over parish autonomy led to a public confrontation at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, an outstation in Idedu, Amokwe community within Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.  

​The incident involved Rev. Fr. Dr. Godfrey Oleri, parish priest of the parent parish, St. Paul’s Catholic Parish, Ibuzo Amokwe, and members of the Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) attending their annual August Meeting. Video footage shared across digital platforms showed the priest confronting participants, overturning event tables, and destroying beverage bottles brought to the location.  

​Reports from local reporting indicate that the friction stemmed from an underlying structural dispute within the congregation:

​Autonomy Demands: Members of the St. Mary's outstation in Idedu have sought recognition as an autonomous parish independent of St. Paul's Parish, creating ongoing tension over administrative jurisdiction.  

​Directive on Venues: Parish leadership had directed the women to participate in a joint August Meeting assembly at the main parish center rather than holding a separate session inside the outstation building.  

​Subsequent Reaction: The decision of the outstation members to convene independently led to the direct confrontation, which was later followed by discussions between local community leaders and parish authorities.  

​Following the incident, public discussions centered on balancing church directives, sacred space protocols, and community-led initiatives. According to subsequent coverage by The Nation Newspaper, Rev. Fr. Oleri issued an official statement through the Catholic Diocese of Enugu expressing regret over the nature of the confrontation and appealing for reconciliation within the church community.