The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Calistus Onaga, has banned the Catholic faithful in the state from attending Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry.
The Diocese took the decision following the cleric’s recent attack on the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
During his mid-week service, Fr Mbaka described Peter Obi as “a stingy man” and said he could not be Nigeria’s president. He also said that he was “cursed.”
Shortly after, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu disassociated itself from Mbaka and his utterances.
The Diocese noted that Mbaka’s attack on Obi breached Canon 220 of 1983 Code of the Canon Law that prohibited anyone from illegitimately harming the good name of a person.
In a letter Bishop Onaga personally signed, which was addressed to ‘All the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu’, he banned them from having anything to do with the Adoration Ministry.
According to the Bishop, Mbaka has refused to heed to the Church’s persistent directives to stop his utterances that are not in line with the policies of the church.
The letter reads:“To All the Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu,
“Dear Msgri, Frs., Bros. and Srs..
Dear People of God,
PASTORAL INJUNCTION ON ATTENDANCE TO CATHOLIC ADORATION MINISTRY CHAPLAINCY ENUGU
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.
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.”
