Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka, Spiritual Director of the Enugu Adoration Ministry, has distanced himself from Sunday’s protests against the restriction enforced by Enugu Diocesan Bishop, Most Rev Callistus Onaga.
Onaga had issued a pastoral injunction prohibiting the ministry, which was read in all Catholic parishes, chaplaincies, and religious formations.
He ordered that no Catholic faithful should attend there for any activity in the future.
However, on Sunday, less than 24 hours after the ban was issued, several of Mbaka’s supporters flocked to the Adoration Ground in defiance of the Bishop’s order and protested against Onaga, calling him unprintable insults.
As a result, Mbaka repudiated the demonstrators in a statement that he personally signed, and warned them to stop immediately.
He stated that he obeyed the Bishop’s directive and advised his supporters against any form of violence, whether in action or through hateful words.
Parts of the statement read, “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 activity. We received with obedience the directive issued by my Bishop, His Excellency, Most Rev CVV Onaga, on June 17, 2022.
“May I, therefore, appeal to the faithful, in particular,r 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 till 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 wiil of God in the life of the Ministry.”
