Reverend Father Mbaka distances himself from protests against Catholic bishop of Enugu

CONTROVERSIAL Catholic clergyman Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka has distanced himself from yesterday's protests by his followers outside the Adoration Ministry ground in Enugu as youths took to the streets to oppose his recent suspension from duty.

Last 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. As a result, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese Bishop Calistus Onaga, prohibited all Catholics, including clergy, religious and lay faithful, from attending all religious and liturgical activities of the Catholic Adoration Ministry from henceforth.

In response to this ban, Catholic youths organised a demonstration in Enugu yesterday at the Adoration ground, insisting that the bishop must go. Reacting to the demonstration, Reverend Father Mbaka said he never knew about the protest and did not authorise it.

He said he received in obedience the ban on his Adoration ministry and had since shut the facility until further notice. Reverend Father Mbaka also called on his members who had taken to attacking or insulting the bishop to desist from that as he is the shepherd of the church in the diocese and must be respected.

Reverend Father Mbaka said: “My attention has been drawn to activities that took place in the Adoration ground on Sunday and I am not in any way involved in such activity. We received with obedience the directive issued by my bishop, His Excellency, Most Reverend CVV Onaga on June 17, 2022

“May I therefore appeal to the faithful, in particular members of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria, to remain calm and united with the body of Christ in the diocese and also refrain from any measure of violence either in action or by abusive utterances. Those who take to attacking or insulting my dear bishop, should desist from such.

“The bishop is the shepherd of the church in the diocese and we remain his flock who in every way and at all times are expected to be respectful, obedient and willing to respond favourably to his apostolic directives. May I also remind you that all Adoration activities have been suspended till further notice.

“Adoration Ministry is ever submissive to the mother church. I enjoin all adorers to know this and remain constantly in prayers for the manifestation of the will of God in the life of the ministry.”