The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has closed down Rev. Fr Ejike Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry over his recent utterances against Labour Party’s Presidential candidate,Peter Obi.
The closure was announced on Saturday in a letter personally signed by the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Callitus Onaga and addressed to ‘All the Clery, Religious and Lay Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu’ .
TheFact Daily recalled that Fr. Mbaka had earlier in the week, described the LP presidential candidate as “stingy”, asking his followers not to vote for him in the 2023 presidential election.
He had said that until Obi came and knelt before the adoration alter that his presidential ambitions would be in vain.
But on Wednesday, Mbaka Apologized and asked for forgiveness from Obi’s supporters, saying he was misunderstood.
However in a recent letter,Bishop Onaga asked all “clergy, religious and lay faithful” to desist from attending “all religious and liturgical activities” of AMEN “until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese is concluded”.
The letter said, “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. Ejike Mbaka, the Chaplain of the Ministry.
“Having given him pastoral directives and guidelines for the Ministry Chaplaincy, which he persistently violated.
“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.
“My decision is based on the fact that some of the teachings and utterances of Fr. 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,” the Bishop said.
This was not the first time Fr. Mbaka is facing sanctions from the Enugu Catholic Diocese over political utterances.The Enugu diocese in 2021 suspended activities at the adoration ministry for one month , also converted the adoration ministry to chaplaincy and Fr. Mbaka was then asked to keep off politics.
