The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Sunday, condemned the
decision by leadership of the Catholic Church, Enugu Parish to transfer
the fire-brand Enugu cleric, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka from Christ the King
Parish in the Government Reserved Area, GRA, of the state to Our Lady
Parish, Emene, a suburb of the state. Rev-Father-Mbaka
The fiery priest and Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry has presided over Christ the King Parish for 20 years.
But in the Emene parish, where he was transferred to, he is to serve under another priest.
Spokesperson of the APC South-East Caucus, Osita Okechukwu, “It was
wrong to punish the fearless priest for his prophecies which has proved
to be from God.”
Okechukwu while expressing concern over Mbaka’s safety alleged that
the transfer was influenced by outside forces, adding that worshippers
may find it difficult to get to Emene for programmes of the Adoration
Ministry.
He said, “Whereas we accept that the transfer of priests is a routine
exercise of the great Catholic Church, However we do not wholly accept a
situation where the church allows external forces to influence
transfers as the Mbaka’s case suggests.
“Otherwise, future liberation clergy who speak truth to power will be hamstrung to the detriment of the society.
“Our major concern is the security implications and the fate of his
flocks who are mostly the downtrodden who may find it difficult to go to
Emene for salvation and healing.
“We frown at anything which will put Fr. Mbaka in harms way or deny his flocks healing.”
Okechukwu, while stating that the priest has been under attack from
President Muhammadu Buhari’s opponent since he prophesied that the
President will win the last election, noted that the party was in
solidarity with the priest and condemn all attacks on him.
He alleged that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo influenced Mbaka’s
transfer to a new parish where he will serve under someone else.
Okechukwu said, “As a party, we have watched with concern and
trepidation the criticism, attack, assault and unpleasant comments
hurled at Fr. Mbaka since he providentially prophesied that President
Buhari would win the 2015 elections.
“Even the Church did not spare him, he was called unprintable names,
yet his prophecy came true. We are happy that Fr. Mbaka was vindicated.
“It must be pointed out that accusing fingers were pointed at the
direction of some anti-Buhari elements like Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a group
that didn’t want to hear the name of Buhari – even though Ohanaeze
denied the allegation, doubt still persists.
“For we are still at a loss why a senior priest will be demoted to an assistant parish priest.
“We repeat that we are in solidarity with Fr. Mbaka and our major
concern is the security of Fr. Mbaka and the suffering of his flocks,
mostly the poor who need his healing powers.
“We had thought that His Lordship Bishop Calistus Onaga could have
retained him at the Adoration Ground, as the Bishop Emeritus Gbuji did
because of security of his life and easy access by his flocks,” he said.
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