Protest as Mbaka announces removal as Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministries

Events at the Adoration Ministries Enugu Nigeria (AMEN) took a different turn on Sunday evening after Father Ejike Mbaka announced that he had been redeployed as the Spiritual Director of AMEN by the Catholic Church authorities.

Mbaka, who has just returned from suspension following his controversial comment against the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, which earned him public rebuke leading to his suspension, told his congregation that he had been redeployed to the Monastery.

Taking over his assignment at AMEN, is Father Anthony Amadi, who, according to Mbaka, has been appointed Spiritual Director by Bishop Callistus Onaga, who supervises the activities at AMEN.

“So, while I proceed to the monastery to continue with the remaining disciplinary exercises, as directed; I wouldn’t know how long; but the church has appointed Fr Anthony Amadi, one of us, to be overseeing all affairs of the ministry, to be assisted by other priests, pending my return, by the grace of God,” Mbaka stated.

Mbaka had earlier explained that the ministry had not fully opened, pointing out that some programmes including the weekly Friday all-night adoration remained suspended till further notice.

READ: Catholic Church rebukes Mbaka, condemns hate speech against Peter Obi

According to him, “our Sunday Masses and Wednesdays’ ‘E No Dey Again’ programmes would continue, while others such as Friday all-night adoration remains suspended.”

Meanwhile, Fr Amadi, who was present at the Mass, narrowly missed being visited with violence as angry worshipers surrounded him after the announcement. The aggrieved mob was reportedly restrained by AMEN security personnel, who rushed to his rescue and guided him to the Father’s House.

Mbaka had barely mentioned the new priest’s, name when the congregation erupted into, shouting “we say no, we say no, we no gree” and started carrying green leaves, thereby forcing Fr Mbaka to quickly conclude the Mass.

Thousands of faithful had excitedly thronged the prayer centre, following an earlier announcement that Bishop Onaga had lifted ban on the ministry.

They were however left dejected following the latest development.

A source who spoke to the media said that Mbaka was only allowed to celebrate Mass at the centre so that he would personally make the announcement.

The Catholic Church had through Bishop Onaga in June suspended Mbaka when it announced the prohibition of all programmes of the ministry and activities at AMEN.