Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), on Thursday announced the resumption of weekly activities at the Adoration Ministry ground in Enugu.
He said that activities at the adoration ground will resume on Sunday, October 2, 2022, with celebration of mass.
“To the glory of God, Adoration Ministry starts on Sunday, October 2, 2022, with 10: 00 a.m. Mass. God bless you as you come joyfully to worship God with us,” Mbaka said in a statement announcing the reopening.
The announcement comes 15 weeks after the Catholic diocese of Enugu banned Catholic faithful from attending all religious and liturgical activities of the Adoration Ministry until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese is concluded.
The ban came after Mbaka received wide criticism for describing Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate as a stingy man and that he cannot be president of Nigeria during Wednesday adoration.
Mbaka later apologised for his actions, saying his intention is “not to malign His Excellency, Peter Obi’s image but to pray for him.”
“Anyone who God wishes to make our Leader is my choice. In this vein, I give my blessings to the supporters of His Excellency Peter Obi.
“In any way, they feel offended by my utterances or however I was misunderstood by them, I ask for their understanding and forgiveness. As a servant of the Most High God, I pray that it shall be well with my people. I am an ardent supporter of Good Governance, Justice, Equity, Love and Godliness,” Mbaka said.
The statement by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Callistus Onaga read: “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.
Fraternally Yours in Christ,”
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
