Mbaka only sent into solitude, not stripped of Adoration Ministry — Catholic Church

The Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria has clarified that Enugu-based priest Rev. Fr Ejike Mbaka was asked to take some time out in solitude in a monastery, not removed as the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry as reported.

National director of social communications, Padre Mike Umoh, gave the clarification in a statement on Monday evening.

He said, “Going by an interview with the Director of Communications, Enugu Diocese, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Achi, Very Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka was not removed from the Adoration Ministry, as many reports are suggesting.”

Rather, according to Fr. Achi, since it was recommended that Fr. Mbaka takes time away in solitude, in order to listen to what the Spirit of God has to tell him, he was allowed to propose a priest to administer, in the interim, to the faithful at the Adoration Ministry.

He said, “With the approval of his Bishop, on Sunday, October 2, 2022, Fr. Mbaka introduced Fr. Anthony Amadi to the worshippers.

“Unfortunately, some people were still not pleased, and would prefer that Fr. Mbaka remains.

“What every true Christian, and especially every true Catholic, should do at this moment is to commit our dear brother and priest, Fr. Mbaka, to God in prayer so that he may, through this moment, encounter God specially, come out stronger and better in recognising His will for him and gain more graces to channel those rare gifts for His glory and for the sanctification of the people of God and society at large.

“The Church loves Fr. Mbaka and cherishes him as an illustrious son. May our Mother Mary, the Queen of all Apostles, intercede for him. Amen,” the statement reads.

Mbaka has been facing a difficult period since making controversial remarks about the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.