Enugu Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka has complied with the order of the Bishop of the Diocese banning his Adoration Ministry.
It was reported that following Mbaka’s utterances against Mr. Peter Obi, his Adoration Ministry, Enugu, was shut down by Bishop Callistus Onaga of the Enugu Catholic Diocese.
Mbaka shuts Adoration Ministry following Bishop Orders, proceeds on private prayer
The Catholic Diocese of Enugu indefinitely suspended the operation of Adoration Ministry officiated by Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka in Emene, Enugu.
In a pastoral injunction issued by the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev Dr. Callistus Valentine Onaga, on Friday, the Bishop said that Mbaka has continued to violet all laid down tenets of Catholicism even after several corrections.
Among these is the most recent, where he declared that Obi, who he described as “a stingy man”, would never rule Nigeria; a declaration that did not go down well with many Nigerians who demanded that appropriate sanctions should be meted on Mbaka
Mbaka, who made the declaration at his Adoration Ministry ground in Enugu, said unless God ceases to exist, Obi would never lead Africa’s most populous nation as it better to have an old man as president than a ‘stingy young man’.
“A stingy man that cannot give people his money, with this hunger ravaging the land, and you are saying he is the one you want; you want to die of hunger? Are you people insane? Where is the Holy Spirit?
“It is now that [PDP candidate Abubakar] Atiku is seriously contesting for president; now that he is contesting without Peter Obi; it is now that he is serious. We want somebody that is serious. Unless Peter comes here to kneel, if he becomes president, he will close down this ministry. What we are doing is spiritual,” said Mbaka.
“Listen, a good old man is better than a young wicked man. Peter Obi is going nowhere as far as God lives. If Igbos want a representative, it is not someone like Peter Obi.
Following his propaganda and outburst against the Mr. Peter Obi, the Bishop therefore issued a directive barring all the Catholic clergy, religious and lay faithful from attending all religious and liturgical activities of the Adoration Ministry until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese are concluded.
During this meeting that held at the Bishop’s Court, Igboeze Street, Independence Layout in the capital with other leaders of the church in attendance, it was resolved that Mbaka should take one month off his duties to “any place of choice for a retreat” following an alleged brewing conflict between him and the Federal Government over his comments on the state of the nation.
The Bishop’s official letter regarding the matter reads: “In the light of the happenings in the Catholic Adoration Ministry Chaplaincy Enugu: capable of undermining the Catholic faith and teachings; and after several fraternal corrections and admonitions to Fr. Camillus Ejike Mbaka, the Chaplain of the Ministry, and after having given him pastoral directives and guidelines for the Ministry Chaplaincy, which he persistently violated;
“And in fulfilment of my pastoral duties as the Chief Shepherd with the obligation to promote and safeguard the Catholic faith and morals in Enugu Diocese, I hereby prohibit all Catholics (clergy, religious and lay faithful) henceforth from attending all religious and liturgical activities of the Adoration Ministry until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese is concluded”.
“My decision is based on the fact that some of the teachings and utterances of Fr Camillus Ejike Mbaka at the Catholic Adoration Ministry are not consistent with the teachings and faith of the Catholic Church".
“I enjoin all the Christian Faithful to keep praying for Fr. Mbaka and the Catholic Diocese of Enugu as I entrust him and the Diocese to the maternal carç thee and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles.”
Mbaka has now issued a statement to his followers, informing them that programs would no longer hold in the Ministry. The cleric stated that the organisation would remain shut for the next one month, as he embarks on “personal prayer retreat.”
The statement posted on the official Facebook page of the Ministry reads:
“Dear Adorers, There will be no program starting from tomorrow being 19th June 2022 at Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria Amen, Umuchigbo Emene, Enugu State.
“Sunday Mass, Wednesday (E No Dey) And Night Programs will not hold till further notice.
“God bless Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria Amen and God Bless Our Spiritual Director, Rev Fr, Ejike Mbaka.
“Keep praying for Our Daddy and may God Bless you all.”
In justification he stated unremorsefully, "I should not have talked but I saw my video going round everywhere as if Fr. Mbaka wholeheartedly came out and apologized. No, I didn’t apologize wholeheartedly, it was out of duress. I had to obey my Bishop, in obedience I had to; it is not of my volition. I did it because I am a Catholic priest. My Bishop said, ‘do it’, my own is ‘Yes my Lord’.
“I did not say he is a bad man; I said he is a stingy man. A hungry man wants someone that is generous; the man has so much money, but he is ‘I, me, myself’. But that money will not be useful to him. I am very happy now that I have spoken out. That apology is a poisonous curse against Peter Obi.
“If he is wise he should have come here after that apology to say he is sorry but he waited. Anybody supporting him is wasting his money, he is going nowhere.”
