By NewsBits
Wide, “wild” excitement literally enveloped major part of the Enugu metropolis on Wednesday as a result of the coming-back of the Founder/Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry, Enugu Rev. Fr.Ejike Mbaka after long stay outside the state.
Members of the Adoration Ministry trooped to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu to receive the returning controversial Catholic priest who reportedly became famous due to his many gospel songs, spiritual and philanthropic works as well as healings.
Fr Mbaka was said to have arrived at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos on January 3, 2023, via the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta. But he arrived the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu Wednesday January 4, 2023, to a tumultuous welcome.
NewsBits learnt that Fr. Mbaka, who has been having a prolonged misunderstanding with Bishop Callistus Onaga and the Catholic Church in Enugu was sent to the Monastery on punitive measure. From the Benin Monastery he travelled to the United States, from where he made his come back to the Coal City.
However, it is still not certain whether Fr Mbaka will resume his duties at the Adoration Ministry Emene.
NewsBits recalls that Fr. Mbaka’s current trouble started some time around July 2022 after he preached against the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, a development that caused serious misunderstanding between Fr. Mbaka and the Catholic Church in Enugu, leading to his transfer.
However, members of the Adoration Ministry, had vehemently opposed the transfer of Fr Mbaka, to the monastery. The transfer which was said to have taken effect in the first week of October 2022, however, witnessed the coming of Rev Fr. Anthony Amadi to replace Fr. Mbaka, whose followers practically blocked the church premises and refused to let Fr. Mbaka leave.
Defending the decision to move Mbaka to monastery, the Enugu Diocese, through the Diocesan Director of Communications, Father Benjamin Achi, said the Very Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka was not removed from the Adoration Ministry as suggested.
Rather, Fr. Achi explained that since it was recommended that Fr. Mbaka took 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.
Fr. Achi said: “With the approval of his Bishop, on October 2, 2022, Fr. Mbaka introduced Fr. Anthony Amadi to the worshippers. Unfortunately, some people were still not pleased and would prefer that father 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 Father Mbaka and cherishes him as an illustrious son. May our Mother Mary, the Queen of all Apostles, intercede for him. Amen.”
