A Catholic priest in Enugu State sparked widespread controversy on August 8, 2025, when he disrupted a women’s August Meeting by smashing beer and soft drink bottles inside a church, in an incident captured on video that quickly went viral.
Rev. Fr. Godfrey Olieri (also referred to as Fr. Godfrey Oleri), then parish priest associated with St. Paul’s Parish in Amokwe and its outstation St. Mary’s in Idedu, Amokwe community, Udi Local Government Area, confronted women of the Catholic Women’s Organisation (CWO) during their annual gathering.
Footage showed the visibly angry cleric scattering tables, throwing chairs, and breaking bottles of beer and soft drinks placed at the venue inside the church.
The women had chosen to hold a separate August Meeting at the Idedu outstation rather than joining the main parish gathering.
The clash was linked to a longer-running desire among some Idedu parishioners for greater autonomy from the parent parish in Amokwe. Witnesses and reports indicated that the presence of alcohol in the church also contributed to the priest’s strong reaction.
Shocked by the confrontation, the women reportedly informed their husbands. Some of the men later confronted the priest, with videos showing tense exchanges and insults directed at him.
The incident divided opinions online and in the community. Some defended the priest, arguing that bringing alcohol into a place of worship was inappropriate and drawing parallels to biblical accounts of Jesus clearing the temple. Others criticised his methods as excessive and unbecoming of a cleric.
August Meeting is a longstanding tradition among women in Igbo communities and many churches in southeastern Nigeria. It typically involves fundraising, fellowship, and discussions on community and church matters during the month of August.
In the aftermath, Fr. Olieri publicly apologised. In a statement of contrition shared on the official Facebook page of the Enugu Catholic Diocese in September 2025, he expressed deep remorse for his conduct.
He admitted that his emotional outburst during the misunderstanding caused public scandal, embarrassment, and hurt to the faithful, and he appealed for understanding and prayers as he sought to grow in humility, patience, and pastoral charity.
The episode highlighted ongoing tensions in some parishes over venue decisions, authority, and the boundaries of social activities within church premises. The viral video continued to circulate online into subsequent months, occasionally resurfacing with varying descriptions.
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