Scandal: Ex-Seminarian Petitions Catholic Church Over Alleged Sexual Misconduct of Two Priests With His Mother

At first the text appeared to be one of these fake stories that social media users like to circulate but upon investigation, CNA discovered that the text actually came from Emile Claude Agha who is a former Seminarian.

The petitioner alleged that Two Catholic Priests have been sleeping with his mother the past 22 years. He called on Catholic Church authorities to investigate and sanction the accused.

CNA in Wednesday morning, sent a text to a major person in the communication service of the Bamenda Episcopal Conference to find out if these allegations were true and what the Church is doing about it. We will publish a response from the Archdiocese.

Crux of the matter

Formal Petition against Fr. Gordian Baba (Rector of St. John Paul II Major Seminary, Bachuo Ntai, Mamfe Diocese, Cameroon) and Marist Reverend Brother Chrysogonus Mbuy. By Mr. Emile Claude Agha (victim) USA, Monday, August 25, 2025

Dear:

1. Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim, Pro-Prefect for the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization, 00120, Vatican City
2. Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for Clergy, 00120, Vatican City
3. Archbishop José Avelino Bettencourt, Apostolic nuncio to Cameroon, representative of Pope Leo XIV in Cameroon
4. Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea, Archbishop of Bamenda and President of the Bamenda Provincial Episcopal Conference (BAPEC)
5. Bishop George Nkuo, Bishop of Kumbo Diocese, Diocese of incardination of Fr. Gordian Baba
6. Bishop Agapitus Nfon, Bishop of Kumba Diocese
7. Bishop Michael Bibi, Bishop of Buea Diocese and vice president of the Bamenda Provincial Episcopal Conference (BAPEC)
8. Bishop Aloysius Fondong Abangalo, Bishop of the Diocese of Mamfe and Diocese of residence of Fr. Gordian Baba
9. Archbishop Andrés Gabriel Ferrada Moreira, secretary of the Dicastery for Clergy, 00120, Vatican City
10. Rev. Simone Renna, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Clergy, 00120, Vatican City
11. Fr. Gordian Baba, priest of the Kumbo Diocese ordained on April 24, 2003 and Rector of St. John Paul Major Seminary Bachuo Ntai, Mamfe Diocese

Key Statements

I, Emile Claude Agha, resident in the USA, honestly write to you with a heavy heart to bring to your urgent attention serious concerns regarding the conduct of Fr. Gordian Baba, a priest of the Kumbo Diocese ordained on April 24, 2003, and presently Rector of St. John Paul Major Seminary Bachuo Ntai (Mamfe Diocese) and Marist Reverend Brother Chrysogonus Mbuy. These concerns relate to their inappropriate sexual relationships with my mother, Tabe Florence, and the subsequent impact on my family. Additionally, the role of Reverend Sister Hedwig Wirngo, who facilitated these sexual interactions must also be addressed and condemned.

Background

1. Fr. Gordian Baba, Rector of St. John Paul Major Seminary Bachuo Ntai, Mamfe Diocese

When I was a minor seminarian in Bishop Rogan College, Fr. Gordian Baba frequently visited our family home in Yaoundé. During these visits, he would sleep in my mother’s bed, while my mother would initially pretend to sleep on the couch. On multiple occasions, I observed that my mother was not on the couch at night but was instead in her room with Fr. Gordan Baba. This behavior deeply affected my discernment process and contributed to my decision not to pursue the priesthood. In addition, it has contributed to chronic trauma to me and my family. I was deeply depressed and fraustrated to see a catholic priest behave like a married man in hiding.

More recently, I have learned that Fr. Gordan Baba has continued to visit our home in Yaounde, even as my mother lies on her deathbed, seemingly with intentions to benefit financially from my family without my consent given the fact that I am presently resident in the USA. Given his current role in the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province as a rector of St. John Paul Major Seminary Bachuo Ntai, Mamfe Diocese, I am gravely concerned about his negative influence on young seminarians, especially in light of his past sexual and immoral actions that impacted my own vocation to the priesthood.

2. Marist Reverend Brother Chrysogonus Mbuy

In the year 2000, after returning from England where he was sent by the Church, Marist Reverend Brother Chrysogonus Mbuy engaged in a sexual relationship with my mother, Tabe Florence, resulting in her pregnancy. The child born from this relationship by name Gabriel Tabe Agha has been abandoned by Brother Chrysogonus, leaving me to bear the responsibility of supporting my half-sibling financially despite my own heavy financial obligations. This abandonment by a vowed religious brother is a serious breach of his commitments and has caused significant emotional and financial strain on my family.

3. Role of Reverend Sister Hedwig Wirngo

Reverend Sister Hedwig Wirngo played a role in connecting priests and religious, including Fr. Gordan Baba and Brother Chrysogonus, with single mothers and widows, such as my mother, for inappropriate sexual relationships. Our home became a frequent visiting place for nuns, and it was through Sr. Hedwig’s introductions that these relationships were initiated. Her actions facilitated such misconduct.

4. Fr. Zepherinus Mbuy

While Fr. Zepherinus Mbuy, the brother of Chrysogonus Mbuy, does not appear to be directly involved in these incidents, I question his silence regarding his brother’s actions. His awareness of the situation raises concerns about his moral responsibility to address the harm caused to my family.

5. Requests

In light of the above, I respectfully request the following actions:

5.1. Suspension of Fr. Gordian Baba’s Conduct

I urge you to call Fr. Gordan Baba’s attention to these immoral activities with my mother and ongoing interactions with my mother and family. His reported role as a formator and Rector of a major seminary affiliated with Propaganda Fide and seminarians is particularly troubling given these immoral actions, as his actions undermine the integrity of priestly formation. I further request that Fr. Gordan Baba be suspended as rector of St. John Paul Major Seminary Bachuo Ntai, Mamfe Diocese and prohibited from visiting our family home in Yaoundé pending the outcome of his suspension from priestly service.

5.2. Marist Reverend Brother Chrysogonus Mbuy

I request an inquiry into Brother Chrysogonus Mbuy’s actions, particularly his relationship with my mother and the abandonment of his child. This should assess whether he has upheld his religious vows and consider appropriate canonical measures.

5.3. Reverend Sister Hedwig Wirngo

I call for suspension of Sr. Hedwig Wirngo from the religious life who played role in facilitating inappropriate sexual relationships between clergy, religious, and vulnerable women, including my mother. Such actions represent a grave and fragrant misuse of her position as a religious and require accountability.

6. Pastoral Support for My Family

The actions of these individuals who ought to be light and salt of the world have caused significant emotional and spiritual harm to my family. I request pastoral care and guidance from the Diocese of incardination of Fr. Gordan Baba to help us heal from these experiences and wounds and to ensure that such incidents do not recur again in the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province.

7. Review of Fr. Zepherinus Mbuy’s Role

While Fr. Zepherinus Mbuy may not be directly responsible, I ask that the Diocese assess his awareness of and response to his brother’s actions, to ensure that all clergy uphold their moral obligations to address misconduct.

8. Supporting Evidence

I am very prepared to provide further details, including names, dates, and specific incidents, to substantiate these claims. I can also provide contact information for witnesses who may corroborate these actions. I am committed to cooperating fully.

Conclusion

Your Eminence, and Excellencies, I have remained silent for 22 years, too long, out of love for the Church and a desire to protect its reputation. However, I can no longer shield those whose actions have caused harm to my family and potentially others. I trust in your commitment to justice and the integrity of the Church to address these serious matters with urgency and fairness. I am eager to meet with you in Rome or a representative of the Diocese of Kumbo where Fr. Gordan Baba is incardinated to discuss this formal petition further and to provide any additional information needed to best buttress my petition.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I pray for your guidance and wisdom as you consider this formal petition, and I look forward to your response to this petition.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Mr. Emile Claude Agha, USA,
Email: emileagha643@gmail.com
On behalf of the Family
My signature: Emile Claude Agha