Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria, (AMEN) is on fire as members protested the removal of Fr. Camillus Ejike Mbaka as Spiritual Director from the Ministry and replacement with another priest.
Fr Mbaka was instructed to go to a monastery for deep prayers to ask God for proper directions over his calling which he made controversial.
On Sunday, October 2, Rev. Fr. Anthony Amadi was introduced as a replacement for Mbaka, but members revolted and refused to accept any priest.
Read also: Catholic Church lifts ban on Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry
“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.
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.’’
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.
The angry mob had already enveloped him before AMEN security personnel rushed to his rescue and guided Fr. Amadi had to be whisked away him to the Father’s house.
Thousands of faithful had excitedly thronged the prayer center from far and wide following an earlier wide announcement that Bishop Onaga had lifted ban on the ministry.
Enugu Catholic Bishop Callistus Onaga had suspended Mbaka from the ministry three months ago after his comments on partisan politics, describing Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, as a “stingy man.”
On Thursday, September 29, Onaga announced lifting ban placed on Adoration Ministry with effect from Sunday.
Mbaka was expected to return on October 2 and members thronged to the Adoration ground to receive him, but were disappointed when Mbaka announced his successor.
Immediately Mbaka announced his successor, members went wild and insisted no other priest will take his place.
They vowed not to welcome any other priest to the Chaplaincy and alleged a gang-up from certain quarters in the church against Mbaka.
