The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has
condemned the recent criticism of its decision to transfer a Priest of
its Enugu Diocese, Ejike Mbaka.
Mr. Mbaka was transferred from his former parish, Christ the Kind, to Our lady’s Parish Emene, in the same diocese.
The
transfer of the priest from his parish of over a decade, where he
introduced the popular Adoration-prayer Ministries Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN)
met with various criticisms from those who regarded it as a punitive
measure by the church against Mr. Mbaka.
Critics had at various
points attributed the transfer to Mr. Mbaka’s repeated sermons where he
condemned the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, and
proclaimed a revelation that the former President will lose the 2015
presidential election.
Mr. Mbaka had not only stated ahead of the
2015 election that Mr. Jonathan would lose, but condemned the former
president’s performance in office particularly on corruption matters.
When
Mr. Jonathan lost in the election, Mr. Mbaka’s courage was praised by
President Muhammadu Buhari, who received the priest at the Presidential
Villa, Abuja.
The fiery priest’s subsequent transfer was condemned by
critics including the South East chapter of Nigeria’s ruling party,
APC, who claimed Mr. Mbaka was being victimised.
In its earlier
reaction to controversies trailing the transfer, Secretary-General of
the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Ralph Madu, told PREMIUM TIMES that
the transfer is a “normal church procedure.”
Addressing the church
at its opening session of the CBCN on Sunday, President of the
Conference, Ignatius Kaigama, condemned Mr. Mbaka’s prophecies stressing
that the church and particularly its priests and leaders must avoid the
what he regarded as the “melodramatic displays that resembles modern
broadway shows.”
“Those priests who tend to compete with so-called
trendy pastors to dream dreams, see visions and utter prophecies are
reminded that not all dreams, visions and prophecies are revelations
from God.
“They are sometimes the product of one’s psychological
disposition, brain waves or even the result of mental fatigue and should
not be confused with absolute reality,” said Mr. Kaigama, a bishop.
He called on leaders in all facets of the nation to work for the unity of Nigeria.
“We need to think positively about the Nigerian project and act in a manner that builds rather than destroys,” he stated.
Also
in his brief remark at the introduction of guests, the Assistant
Secretary General of the CBCN and Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Felix
Ajakaiye, said, “When I am transferred I am transferred; no sensation
should be attached.”
Speaking earlier at the sermon, during the
opening mass, Bishop of Abuja Arch Diocese, John Onaiyekan, said
Nigerians have a right to be angry at the ‘criminal corruption,’ which
led to diversion of funds meant for the purchase of arms, stressing that
it is the hope of all well meaning Nigerians that such fraudulent acts
are now a thing of the past.
“Our gallant troops must never again be
left with inadequate resources to carry out the dangerous acts imposed
on them on our behalf,” he said.
Mr. Onaiyekan called on the current
administration to keep up its legal efforts to thoroughly investigate
the crimes of the past, transparently prosecute accused persons and hold
the guilty accountable according to the law.
He reiterated his
earlier call for collaboration with the church and religious bodies in
the effort to bring about a transformation of minds and action by
Nigerians.
As part of its annual practice, Mr. Onaiyekan said the
CBCN will make suggestions at the end of its session on January 17, on
ways to move the nation forward.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/198421-catholic-bishops-attack-father-mbaka-anti-jonathan-prophecies.html
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