Catholic priest flogs choir members for not clearing church field in Enugu

An Enugu Diocese Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Linus Okwu, has sparked outrage after he reportedly flogged choir members at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. The incident occurred during a choir practice session when Father Okwu, armed with canes, confronted the choir about their failure to clear the church field.

Eyewitnesses reported that the priest, visibly furious, demanded explanations from the choir members, which included mothers, young men, ladies, and teenagers. Dissatisfied with their responses, he ordered them to kneel and proceeded to flog them.

One of the victims, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the traumatic experience: “The Priest was enraged and said he would use the stick approach to ensure compliance with the church’s teachings and instructions. I thought he wouldn’t flog the adults and mothers, but he flogged everyone, including me. I went home with bruises, and the shock will stay with me for a lifetime.”

The incident has stirred significant controversy and calls for action, as members of the congregation and the wider community express their shock and dismay over the priest’s actions.