…Bishop bars Catholics from attending service
Authorities of the Catholic Church in Enugu, have moved further to leash Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka, Director of the Adoration Ministries Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), despite his apologies to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), who he laced with diatribes earlier in the week.
Religion, politics and Mbaka’s nuisance value
The church, which had earlier denounced the cleric for his utterances, for among others, calling Obi a “stingy man” dwelling under a “curse” and whose political ambitions would not be realised until he returned to the alters of his ministry on bended knees, slammed Mbaka, with further sanctions, including banning him from holding the adoration service till further notice.
The action endorsed by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Calistus Onaga, is coming less than 24 hours after Mbaka, apologised to both Obi and his supporters, claiming that he had no animosity against the former governor of Anambra State and that his comments were not meant to undermine him.
Regardless, the church, which had taken same measures against the priest some three years ago, over a similar matter involving the same Mbaka and Obi, seemed not assuaged.
The statement 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 Catholic Adoration Ministry until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese is concluded.
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“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 care and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Apostles. Fraternally Yours in Christ,” the statement reads.
