Bishop Calistus Onaga, who is the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, has told Catholics in the state not to go to Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry.
The diocese made the decision because the priest recently said bad things about Peter Obi, who is running for president as a candidate for the Labor Party. During his midweek service, Fr. Mbaka called Peter Obi a “stingy man” and said he couldn’t be Nigeria’s president. He said he was also “cursed.”
Soon after that, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu broke ties with Mbaka and what he had said. The Diocese said that Mbaka’s attack on Obi was against Canon 220 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, which said that it was illegal to hurt someone’s good name without a good reason.
In a letter that Bishop Onaga signed and sent to “All the Clergy, Religious, and Lay Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Enugu,” he told them that they couldn’t be involved with the Adoration Ministry in any way.
The Bishop says that Mbaka has ignored the church’s repeated requests that he stop saying things that go against the church’s policies.
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 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.”
