MBAKA:Pull Down Syndrome Responsible For Transfer, Worshipers, Others Insist

Rev.Fr.Ejike Mbaka

The recent transfer of the Parish Priest of the Christ the King Parish, GRA, Enugu, Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka from where the popular praying ministry, the Adoration Prayer Ministry  had stayed for about 20 years to its new post at Our Lady Parish, Emene has continued to attract condemnations  particularly from the worshipers. 

By this development, apart from the transfer, Mbaka who had been a Parish Priest for years and host of the ministry would assume the portfolio of an Assistant Parish Priest in the new duty post which implies that the activities of the praying ministry may be frustrated as only schedules for the new parish as outlined by the substantive head of the parish would be accepted. Any attempt to do otherwise could be slammed as insubordination which would attract sanctions by the church council.

The highly spiritual priest and famous host of the Adoration Ministry was recently transferred  from his domiciled area where he had operated from for several years healing sick people, performing miracles, signs and wonders which incontrovertibly had added value to both the Roman Catholic Church and the society at large.

It would be recalled that after his  prophesy which explicitly stood against the former President Goodluck Jonathan's re-election, Mbaka was subjected to all manner of verbal attacks for expressing his opinion as well as giving such prophesies which incidentally were inconsistent with the popular views of the masses from the South-east geopolitical zone where his praying ministry was famous.  Apart from Mbaka, other notable voices from the Catholic Church vehemently kicked against the re-election of Jonathan and the PDP including the Cardinal Anthony Olubunmi Okojie.

However, Mbaka's prophesy seemingly did not bother any one within the church Council until his recent visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja where President Mohammadu Buhari and the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo personally hosted him and had a tete-a-tete on the state of the nation. 

The worshipers disappointingly alleged that the action was out of resentment  over the rapidly rising profile of the priest even beyond  his superiors particularly in this present political dispensation in which the Presidency holds him in high esteem. Most of the worshipers who spoke to us on the condition of anonymity frowned at the development stating that the action was a reflection of envy and bitterness which reigns predominantly in the church.  One of them added that the new posting without adequate security of the priest could be a strategy to get rid of his life by exposing him to his adversaries.

However, according to the explanation from the church office, the Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Revd. Fr Ralph Madu stated that the transfer of the priest had no political undertone adding that the action was a routine exercise carried on by the church and not a punishment adding that Fr. Mbaka had done questionable things in the past that would have attracted punishments but condoned.

"His posting should have been a privilege, not a punishment, which the Bishop can do because he has the power. If he is (Mbaka) says its a punishment, then it's open to further investigation. Posting is a regular thing, a priest can be transferred after two, three, four, or more years, it depends on the discretion of the Bishop.

"That ministry (Adoration Ministry) is his private ministry; it does not belong to the church. Overseeing a ministry is a bigger task. If the church decides to take him somewhere where he'll have more time to carry out his ministry, how is it punitive? That should not be the language," Madu said. 

On the receipt of the notice, Mbaka also frowned at the development stating that it is a calculated attempt to pull him down.

"I know we are going to suffer within now  and few months to come. I am going to suffer and suffer; I know that. I'm going to suffer because I have no place to put my head. I am going to suffer I have no place to keep the Adoration Ministry's assets. I know I'm going to suffer," Mbaka lamented.

Similarly, the South_East zone of the All Progressive Congress, APC has condemned the action and alleged that Bishop Calistus Onaga was influenced by political and personal interests to apply such discretion which has negative implications.