Under-fire Catholic Priest, Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has absolved himself of any involvement in a protest over the closure of his Adoration Ground Ministry by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.
Recall that the Bishop of the Enugu Diocese, Most Rev CVV Onaga suspended and barred Catholic faithful from the Adoration Ground in the aftermath of comments made by Fr Mbaka towards Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Following the closure, some members staged a protest over the decision. But in a statement on Sunday, June 19, 2022, Fr Mbaka washed his hands clean of any involvement.
He further asked the members to accept the decision of the Enugu Catholic Diocese in good faith.
Mbaka said, “My attention has been drawn to activities that took place in the Adoration Ground on Sunday. I am not in any way involved in such activity.
“We received with obedience the directive issued by my Bishop, His Excellency, Most Rev CVV Onaga on June 17, 2022.
“May I, therefore, appeal to the faithful, in particular members of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria, to remain calm and united with the body of Christ in the Diocese and also refrain from any measure of violence either in action or by abusive utterances.
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“Those who take to attacking or insulting my dear Bishop, should desist from such.
“The Bishop is the Shepherd of the Church in the Diocese and we remain his flock who in every way and at all times is expected to be respectful, obedient and willing to respond favourably to his apostolic directives.
“May I also remind you that all Adoration activities have been suspended till further notice.
“Adoration Ministry is ever submissive to the Mother Church. I enjoin all adorers to know this and remain constantly in prayers for the manifestation of the will of God in the life of the Ministry”.