What was meant to be a peaceful Sunday morning at St. Paul Church quickly descended into chaos, confusion, and a locked-door standoff, leaving worshippers bewildered and a few detained.
Rev. Gibson Ali Oba, the pastor in charge, reportedly locked the church doors after members of the congregation arrived demanding his replacement.
Eyewitnesses describe a tense scene: frustrated congregants pressed for discussion, while Rev. Oba stood firm, barring entry and refusing to budge.
In the ensuing drama, over five church members were reportedly detained, deepening the sense of fear and outrage among worshippers.
“I just want a peaceful place to pray, not a wrestling match over church keys,” said one elderly member, peering through the barred doors, hands gripping her prayer book.
A younger congregant added with dry humor, “Maybe God is testing our patience… or our locksmiths!”
The standoff drew a crowd of onlookers, some whispering prayers, others speculating about what might happen next.
Children sat quietly on the steps outside the church, their Sunday routine disrupted, while adults tried to reason with the pastor.
But the doors remained locked, and the detained members were reportedly held for questioning, sparking renewed frustration and calls for intervention.
Tensions at the church are nothing new. Recently, Juba has witnessed similar disputes, where disagreements over leadership and administrative authority, often guided by diocesan directives, have periodically flared.
Past attempts to reconcile differences between the congregation and church leadership have often ended in stalemates, leaving members feeling sidelined.
This latest incident is the most dramatic yet, highlighting how quickly simmering disputes can erupt. Local leaders, worshippers, and church members are now urging the diocesan authorities to step in before tempers boil over further.
