Outrage as Catholic Priest Allegedly Flogs Women, Choir Members in Enugu

A priest in the Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Linus Okwu, has come under fire for allegedly flogging women, girls, and other choir members of his church for failing to clear grasses within the church premises.

The incident took place at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, Agbani, in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State. Reports indicate that Rev. Fr. Okwu, armed with canes, disrupted a choir practice and demanded an explanation as to why the church field had not been cleared. Unsatisfied with their responses, he ordered the choir members to kneel and proceeded to flog them.

One victim, who requested anonymity, reported going home with bruises and described the experience as a lasting shock. “The Priest, visibly furious, told us that since we hardly comply with the teachings and instructions of the church, he would apply the stick approach to ensure compliance. I was sitting among teenage choir members, thinking he wouldn’t flog adults and mothers, but to my surprise, he flogged everyone, including myself,” she recounted.

“When I tried to resist, he justified his actions by comparing himself to a father disciplining his children, claiming he had the right to whip members of his congregation if they faltered. I was badly bruised when he finished with me,” she added.

Efforts to contact the director of communication of the Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Anthony Aneke, were unsuccessful.