The founder of the Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has spoken about the 2023 general elections, describing some of the contestants as wasting their time.

Mbaka stated this on Sunday, during his first Holy Mass at the Adoration Chaplaincy after three months suspension due to his utterances and politics-related preaching.

His admirers had revolted and chased away his successor, Rev. Fr. Anthony Amadi from the Chaplaincy after he announced that he would be taking charge of the ministry as he had been transferred to Monastery.

Shortly after, Mbaka who told his followers that he would be careful and mindful of his utterances henceforth, made incursion into the 2023 general elections.

He was quoted to have said, “Many people are wasting their time for 2023 general elections. God said I should not reveal it, but as it stands, many people are wasting their time.

“The Lord said that the vision shall surely come to pass even if it tarries, just wait for it. If not for the warning of the Holy Spirit, I would have given Nigeria a simple solution. But just wait,” he ended.

A top member of the ministry, who confirmed the posting to the media, said the development was unfortunate.

According to him, “all along, the Bishop has been trying to take over the Adoration Ministry. But I can assure you that no priest will succeed there. So long as Fr. Mbaka is not there, nobody will come there to worship.”

“This will lead to anarchy. It’s unthinkable that this kind of harsh decision could be made. We the adorers will never accept any other priest.

“Fr. Mbaka suffered and built that place with sole effort. Now they have tactically hijacked the place through the backyard. Let’s see how they will succeed.”

CLARIFICATION

Moreso, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria has issued clarification on the reports of the reposting of the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, to the Monastery.

National Director of Social Communications, Padre Mike Umoh, who gave the clarification in a statement on Monday evening, said Fr Mbaka was never removed as Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry.

He made the clarification in a statement titled: ‘Fr. Mbaka: The True Position.’

Fr Umoh said, “Going by an interview with the Director of Communications, Enugu Diocese, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Achi, Very Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka was not removed from the Adoration Ministry, as many reports are suggesting.”

Rather, according to Fr. Achi, since it was recommended that Fr. Mbaka takes time away in solitude, in order to listen to what the Spirit of God has to tell him, he was allowed to propose a priest to administer, in the interim, to the faithful at the Adoration Ministry.

He said, “With the approval of his Bishop, on Sunday, October 2, 2022, Fr. Mbaka introduced Fr. Anthony Amadi to the worshippers.

“Unfortunately, some people were still not pleased, and would prefer that Fr. Mbaka remains.

“What every true Christian, and especially every true Catholic, should do at this moment is to commit our dear brother and priest, Fr. Mbaka, to God in prayer so that he may, through this moment, encounter God specially, come out stronger and better in recognising His will for him and gain more graces to channel those rare gifts for His glory and for the sanctification of the people of God and society at large.

“The Church loves Fr. Mbaka and cherishes him as an illustrious son.

“May our Mother Mary, the Queen of all Apostles, intercede for him. Amen,” the statement partly read.

Prologue

The Catholic Diocese of Enugu had on June 3 banned Mbaka from commenting on Political issues after activities in the ministry were suspended.

Upon reopening, the Church turned the ministry into Chaplaincy to give greater roll and to power monitor excesses in the ministry.

Shortly thereafter, Fr. Mbaka violated all the conditions and rules set out for the Chaplaincy, and went into verbal attack on the person of Peter Obi, calling him names in pulpit.

Sequel to the outrage that followed, Bishop Onaga issued a pastoral injunction directing all Catholic faithful, priests, sisters, religious to stop visiting the ministry until further notice.

The Bishop also advised Catholic faithful to pray for Mbaka.

Onaga had said, “In the light of the happenings in the Catholic Adoration Ministry Chaplaincy Enugu, capable of undermining the Catholic faith and teachings, and after several fraternal corrections and admonitions to Fr. Camillus Ejike Mbaka, the Chaplain of the Ministry; and after having given him pastoral directives and guidelines for the Ministry Chaplaincy, which he persistently violated.

“And in fulfilment of my pastoral duties as the Chief Shepherd with the obligation to promote and safeguard the Catholic faith and morals in Enugu Diocese, I hereby prohibit all Catholics (clergy, religious and lay faithful) henceforth from attending all religious and liturgical activities of the Catholic Adoration Ministry until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese is concluded.

“My decision is based on the fact that some of the teachings and utterances of Fr. Camillus Ejike Mbaka at the Catholic Adoration Ministry are not consistent with the teachings and faith of the Catholic Church.”

However, upon re-opening of Adoration chaplaincy on Sunday, Mbaka who bore a heavy heart, reportedly managed to announce to his admirer that he had been transferred to a monastery as his new pastoral place of work.