By Akinwale Kasali
The disciplinary action against Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka continued with his removal as the Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, AMEN on Sunday.
He was posted to a Monastery by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga.
Mbaka’s removal came three days after the Bishop reopened Adoration Ground which he ordered closed about three months ago over Mbaka’s dabbling into politics and his continous unprovoked attack against Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP.
Mbaka had told his congregation that nobody should vote for Obi because “he is a stingy man.” Quite a number of people reacted to Mbaka’s inexplicable attack, and called on the Catholic Church to discipline the Priest because he had, on a number of times, spoke and behaved in an unfriendly manner, and was becoming a burden on the Church.
Embarrassed, the Bishop suspended him, ordered AMEN closed and stopped every Priest from going there.
But four days ago, Mbaka, in a tweet announced the reopening of AMEN by the Bishop and invited all “Adorers” to a 10 am Mass on Sunday October 2, 2022.
It was at the Mass that Mbaka also announced his removal, posting to the Monastery and his replacement by Rev. Fr. Anthony Amadi as the new boss of the Adoration Ministry.
His announcement caused an uproar. His followers rejrctedthe Fr. Amadi, and reportedly chased him out.
When he closed the Adoration Ministry on 3rd June, 2022, Onaga had 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. 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.
“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.”
Mbaka’s transfer, as he told his followers, is with immediate effect.
The Church has not reacted to the reaction of his congregation over his reposting to the Monastery.
The Director, Catholic Communication, Rev Fr. Benjamin Achi, is yet to comment on behalf of the Church.
