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A cleric identified as Revd Fr Moses Iorpeev Igbudu, also known as “Fr Tseser,” has publicly addressed and denied recent allegations of impersonating a Roman Catholic priest and engaging in fraudulent activities in Benue State.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Igbududu clarified that he is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church but serves under the Ecumenical Orthodox Catholic Church Nigeria. He specifically stated that he belongs to the church’s St Peter’s Catholic Diocese in Agwa and currently ministers at St James Parish in Tsumba, Benue State.
The cleric emphasized that he has never presented himself as a priest of the Roman Catholic Church. He explained that his denomination permits both married and celibate clergy, and he has personally chosen to observe celibacy. The statement comes amid growing public confusion and concerns raised about his identity and ministerial activities, which some had mistaken for those of a mainstream Roman Catholic priest.
Igbududu also firmly rejected accusations that he charges fees for services such as house blessings or other related pastoral visits. According to him, when individuals request home visits or blessings, they are only asked to assist with transportation logistics if needed, with no monetary payment required for the spiritual services themselves.
“I’m not a priest of the Roman Catholic Church, and I have never introduced myself as one,” he stated. “I don’t collect money for blessings. If you invite me, you only help with logistics.”
He further disclosed that a previous dispute involving another cleric had been reported to the police but was resolved amicably without escalation. Addressing those who continue to label him an impersonator, Igbududu warned that such claims could lead to legal action.
“Anyone who calls me an impersonator should be ready to meet me in court,” he added.
The controversy appears to stem from recent warnings issued by the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, which alerted the public to an alleged impersonator using a similar clerical title and nickname associated with a legitimate Roman Catholic priest. Igbududu’s response seeks to draw a clear distinction between his ecumenical orthodox affiliation and the Roman Catholic tradition, aiming to dispel misunderstandings among the faithful and the wider community in Benue.
This development highlights ongoing sensitivities around clerical identity, ecclesiastical affiliations, and public trust in religious ministers in the region, where multiple Christian denominations operate and occasional overlaps or confusions arise. The Ecumenical Orthodox Catholic Church Nigeria, while distinct from the Roman Catholic Church, maintains its own structures and practices as an independent Catholic-leaning body.
