Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Popular Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry, Enugu, has finally been reopened by the Enugu Catholic diocese.
The reopening was after about fifteen weeks when the Ministry was shut down by the Church following Fr Mbaka’s scathing remarks concerning Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate.
The Bishop of the diocese, Most. Rev. Callistus Onaga, on June 18, 2022, pronounced the indefinite ban in a letter he personally signed to all clerics, religious and lay faithful, directing all Catholic faithful and clergy in the diocese not to have anything to do with the Adoration Ministry.
In the verbal attack on Obi, Mbaka had declared that Obi could only become President if God ceases to exist, adding that the former Anambra Governor was cursed.
According to the priest, it was better to have an old man as President than a ‘stingy’ young man
The remarks generated wild reaction from various quarters prompting the priest to immediately backtrack and apologise for maligning Obi.
The Director of Communications of the Enugu Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Achi, confirmed to newsmen that the Bishop had lifted the ban on Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry.
He said, henceforth, Masses would begin to hold at The Adoration Ground.
“I can confirm to you that the ban has been lifted. That’s the situation now. There’ll be Mass there beginning from this Sunday and subsequent Sundays.”
The Bishop of the diocese had announced further ministration of the ministry and at the ministerial centre, Emene.
“Happily the centre has been declared open with effect from Sunday, October 2, 2022,” he said.
Fr. Mbaka himself, in a statement announcing the re-opening, said, “To the glory of God, Adoration Ministries starts on Sunday, 2nd October, 2022, with 10 am Mass. God bless you miraculously as you come joyfully.”
