Desist From Attacking My Bishop, Mbaka Warns Followers

The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, Fr Ejike Mbaka, has disassociated himself from the protests in the Adoration Ground on Sunday. The protest was against the ban imposed on  Mbaka by the Enugu Diocesan Bishop, Most Rev Callistus Onaga.

Onaga, in a pastoral injunction, which was read in all Catholic parishes, chaplaincies and religious formations, had imposed a ban on Mbaka ministry.

He directed that no Catholic faithful should henceforth go there for any  activity.

But less than 24 hours after the ban, some Mbaka’s followers thronged the Adoration Ground on Sunday, in disobedience to the bishop’s ban, and protested against him.

Consequently, Mbaka, in a statement, on Monday disowned the protesters and warned them to desist forthwith.

He said he received with obedience the directive of the bishop and warned his followers against any measure of violence either in action or by abusive utterances.

The statement read in part, “My attention has been drawn to activities that took place in the Adoration Ground on Sunday. I am not in any way involved in such activities.

“We received with obedience the directive issued by my Bishop, Rev Callistus Onaga, on June 17, 2022.

“May I therefore appeal to the faithful, in particular, members of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria, to remain calm and united with the body of Christ in the Diocese and also refrain from any measure of violence either in action or by abusive utterances.”

“Those who take to attacking or insulting my dear Bishop should desist from such.

“The Bishop is the Shepherd of the Church in the Diocese and we remain his flock who in every way and at all times is expected to be respectful, obedient and willing to respond favourably to his apostolic directives.

“May I also remind you that all Adoration activities have been suspended until further notice.

“Adoration Ministry is ever submissive to the mother Church. I enjoin all adorers to know this and remain constantly in prayers for the manifestation of the will of God in the life of the ministry.”