The last time I checked, the Enugu-based controversial Catholic Priest
in the person of Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka who doubles as the Spiritual Director of
the Adoration Ministry, Enugu had been transferred from his parish, Christ the
King Catholic Church (C.K.C), GRA, Enugu metropolis in which he had spent over
a decade to Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Emene, Enugu State – a suburb of
Enugu metropolis where the former is situated.
It’s pertinent to note that fathomless public criticisms had greeted the
aforesaid action. In some quarters, people are of the view that the decision to
transfer the Priest was aimed at checkmating his activities which are
apparently generating unpleasant wave within the body of Christ and the country
at large. In their further reactions, they insinuated categorically that the
Church’s plan to transfer all the priests in Enugu Diocese was to dilute any
suspicion.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) had alleged that the Bishop of Enugu
Diocese, Bishop Callistus Onaga was manipulated by external forces into
effecting Fr Mbaka’s transfer. In their official briefing via their South-East
caucus’ Spokesperson Mr Osita Okechikwu, they stated unequivocally that “As a
party, we have watched with concern and trepidation the criticism, the attack,
assault, and unpleasant comments hurled against Fr Mbaka since he
providentially prophesized that President Buhari would win the 2015 elections”
among other issues raised therein.
The Catholic Church on its part had clarified the transfer of the
clergyman, saying that the controversial Priest was merely being sent to where
he would be more useful to the church which wasn’t an unusual exercise. It
further claimed that the posting, which was strictly in line with the church’s
tradition, was not meant to be punitive or to witch-hunt the Priest in question
as being speculated by the public.
It would be recalled that earlier
in the year 2014, the Catholic Priest Fr Ejike Mbaka had prophesized that
President Mohammadu Buhari would emerge victorious in the 2015 Presidential
election, and fortunately or unfortunately his prophesy came to past. Hence,
the various speculations regarding his recent transfer might not be unconnected
to the aforementioned assertion.
In view of these altercations or brouhahas, I was tempted to enquire
which political party Fr Mbaka belongs to. And at this moment, I’m still
fascinated to know which party’s membership card could be found in his robe’s
pocket; an inquiry that is dying for a candid answer.
Frankly, in recent times, the manner in which people try to link
religion to politics is really becoming unbearable, thus requires a compelling
attention. People need to understand that politics and religion, both which are
no doubt essential and veritable tools in any society, are not unlike two
parallel lines therefore have no meeting point.
In one of the works I did
previously entitled “Taking worship beyond politics” as was published on the
back cover page of the New Telegraph Newspaper penultimate year, specifically
on Monday 6th of April 2015, I wholly made it clear that the church
is an institution specially meant for the liberation of mankind from all forms
of bondage, to strengthen or uplift their faith, as well as to bring them
nearer to their salvation, and not otherwise as most Nigerians see it.
In a similar spirit, in a piece I wrote entitled
“Letter to the Pope” as was published in the Daily Times Newspaper on Wednesday
3rd February 2016, having disclosed that religious bodies were to
work towards actualizing good governance and not to take part in politics, I
stated that if an institution like the church that’s widely regarded as ‘opium
of the people’ was being abused or misused, it signified that the society was
liable to encounter unimaginable comatose circumstance.
Personally, I don’t see anything
wrong with a man of God prophesying about an unforeseen or a future situation;
such practice is undoubtedly as old as the world, if not older. The angle I’m
against is playing politics with such spiritual act; hence, people must be
guided in this aspect before they attract curses upon themselves, or even on
their generations yet unborn.
In view of this, let the politicians play their politics and allow the
church to do its work. Most times the derailment witnessed on the part of the
clergymen is attributable to the activity of some so called politicians; for
crying out loud, let’s allow them concentrate on their callings. Rather than
distracting them, what we are expected to do is nothing but to pray for them
because they are unarguably in a seemingly hot zone.
Even if Fr Mbaka’s transfer was targeted to punish him, let’s not absorb
it as an action that was politically motivated; rather, ought to be seen as a
consequential step or something that was called for in the priesthood. We must
take into cognizance that the church, particularly the Catholic dominion, has
its unique method of handling issues.
Thus, instead of raising cloud of dusts as regards the exercise that
seemed abrupt, all we need to do for the affected Priest if we truly care for
him is to pray vehemently for his person. The priest had already stated that he
alongside his ministry was going to ‘suffer’, so let’s not aggravate the
anticipated suffering. Think about it!
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