Catholic bishop of Enugu suspends Reverend Father Mbaka from all church activities

CONTROVERSIAL Catholic clergyman Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka has been banned from having anything to do with the church for the foreseeable future by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese Bishop Calistus Onaga in response to his recent political utterances.

Earlier this week, Reverend Father Mbaka, the spiritual director of the Catholic Adoration Ministry in Enugu had lashed out against the former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate Peter Obi. Reverend Father Mbaka had declared that Governor Obi, who is currently standing as the Labour Party candidate in Nigeria's presidential elections, can never be elected as the president because he is a very stingy person.

This outburst attracted widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum, with many people asking Reverend Father Mbaka to stick to spiritual issues. Now, the Catholic Church has waded into the matter with Bishop Onaga banning Reverend Father Mbaka from having anything to do with the Adoration Ministry.

In a letter he personally signed and addressed to all the clergy, religious and lay faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Bishop Onaga said that Reverend Father Mbaka had refused to heed to the church’s persistent directives.  While noting that his decision was based on the fact that Reverend Father Mbaka’s teaching and utterances were not consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church, he enjoined all Christian faithful to keep praying for him

Bishop Onanga wrote: "In fulfilment of my pastoral duties as the chief shepherd, I hereby prohibit all Catholics (clergy, religious and lay faithful) henceforth from attending all religious and liturgical activities of the Catholic Adoration Ministry until the due canonical process initiated by the diocese is concluded.”