Kapseret Member of Parliament, Oscar Sudi, on Saturday afternoon found himself in an awkward situation after clashing with a Catholic priest during the burial of his aunt.
The incident, which unfolded before mourners in attendance, ended with the legislator apologising and asking for forgiveness following heated remarks he made against the priest.
The confrontation began when the priest, while addressing the mourners, cautioned political leaders against turning the burial into a platform for politicking.
He reminded them that the gathering was a solemn occasion meant to celebrate the life of the deceased, offer prayers, and show respect to both the family and the church.
“I want to urge all of you to show some respect to God because even if you die today, you will be buried by the church,” the priest firmly stated, hoping to discourage political debates during the ceremony.
Despite his plea, several leaders who had attended the burial insisted on giving lengthy speeches. Some argued that they not only wanted to mourn the deceased but also felt the need to address the people gathered, mixing their condolences with political undertones.
This prolonged the ceremony, much to the frustration of the priest.
It was during these speeches that MP Sudi walked to the podium and sharply responded to the priest’s caution. Holding the microphone, he openly criticised the cleric, telling him to leave the ceremony if he felt irritated by the leaders’ remarks.
“Today we have gathered here for the burial of my aunt, who is more than 90 years old. I want to tell the church, with respect, that we have not come here to rejoice. I have truly suffered with my deceased aunt,” Sudi remarked emotionally.
He went further, saying: “I want all of us to show respect to my deceased aunt. So if the priest feels that he has no time to listen to us, then he can as well walk out; there are other priests here who will help us in the burial.”
His words, however, did not sit well with the priest, who immediately stood up and started walking away from the venue. Realising the gravity of his outburst, the lawmaker quickly followed him, held his hand, and persuaded him to return.
In a dramatic turn of events, Sudi then stood before the mourners and publicly apologised for his earlier comments. He acknowledged that his remarks may have caused offence and assured the gathering that the matter had been resolved.
“I want to sincerely apologise and say that we have forgiven each other and there are no more squabbles. I want to say that if I have done wrong, please forgive me,” Sudi pleaded, appearing remorseful.
The priest eventually resumed his role in the burial proceedings. In his sermon, he once again reminded leaders to respect the church and to use such occasions to preach peace and unity rather than politics.
His call highlighted the growing tension between political leaders and the church over the frequent use of funerals and religious gatherings as platforms for political messages.
The incident left many reflecting on the need for mutual respect between the clergy and politicians, especially during sensitive occasions such as burials, where families gather to grieve and seek comfort.
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