By Emmanuel  Aku Ashisan



I am compelled to add my voice to the ongoing reactions over the suspension of Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka of Adoration Ministry, which came into effect on May 3, 2022 after being summoned by Callistus Onaga, the Diocesan Bishop of Enugu.

While some observers held that his suspension was as a result of his describtion of Peter Obi, (the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party) as being too stingy and unfit to be the next president, others attributed it to other reasons. 

Some sources hinted that the Reverend Father was suspended because of his political missiles toward the Muhammadu Buhari government, while other sources stated that Mbaka was suspended rather, for allegedly inciting his congregation to lead a protest and vandalizing the residence of the Enugu Catholic Bishop, Most Rev Callistus Onaga and for showing support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Whatever the reasons may be, Fr. Mbaka has since suspended programmes in his church, in compliance with the order of the Bishop of the Diocese. And there lies-in my concerns, more so that I am also a devout Catholic.

For many years, Fr. Mbaka has been consistent in directing, advising and forewarning every administration in Nigeria since he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest. He is equally a  man of unprecedented philanthrophy as thousands of people owe their living to God and Fr. Mbaka. 

This is where my disenchantment lies. That a man of God, who through the grace of Almighty has been a source of livelihood to millions is treated in this manner to me, is an affront to humanity and also rediculed the Church of God. To me, it's obvious that the Church has risen against itself. 

More so, there is no where in the Holy scripture that supports the action of the Diocesan Bishop. 

There is no where in the Bible that prescribes shutting down of a Church in fulfilment of pastoral duties  as well as an obligation to promote and safeguard the Catholic faith. The measures taken against Mbaka as far as I am concerned, are punitive, aimed at satisfying personal ego rather than safeguarding the Catholic faith as principles of the Church must be in tandem with the Holy Book (The Bible).

The implication of the suspension of Fr. Mbaka and shutting down of his Church for two months is that, within the period, works of salvation was put on abrupt hold. Also, millions of people whose survival was depended on the Church is now curtailed. One can therefore, only imagine how many souls have been lost and how many people have been starved on account of  the suspension of Fr. Mbaka and the  closure  of his ministry for two months.

One thing which seems to obvious is that  Mbaka's suspension and the closure of his Church is aimed at massaging personal ego. Otherwise, why is it that the suspension has not been lifted two months after since it  was meant to last for only one month?

Consequently, I strongly call on the Diocesan Bishop of Enugu to reconsider his position on the suspension of Fr. Mbaka and the shutting down of his ministry for him not to turn an albatross against a mission he and Mbaka were called to achieved. 

Jesus Christ is the Church. Therefore, the action of the Bishop amount to blocking people from going to Christ and this action is not different from those that crucified him for no reason.  The big question is; why is Jesus being crucified the second time?

Ashisan, a business man writes this piece from Bassa LGA, Plateau State.