The All Progressives Congress (APC) Sunday condemned the decision by the leadership of the Catholic Church, Enugu Parish to transfer the fire-brand cleric, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka from Christ the King Parish, GRA of the state to Our Lady Parish, Emene, a suburb of the state.
The fiery priest and Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry has presided over Christ the King Parish for 20 years, but he is expected to serve under another priest at the Emene Parish.
Spokesman of the APC South-East Caucus, Osita Okechukwu, “It was wrong to punish the fearless priest for his prophecies which have proved to be from God.”
Expressing concern over Mbaka’s safety, Okechukwu said the transfer was influenced by outside forces, adding that worshippers may find it difficult to get to Emene for programmes of the Adoration Ministry.
He said, “Whereas we accept that the transfer of priests is a routine exercise of the great Catholic Church, we do not wholly accept a situation where the church allows external forces to influence transfers as Mbaka’s case suggests.
“Otherwise, future liberation clergy who speak truth to power will be hamstrung to the detriment of the society.
“Our major concern is the security implications and the fate of his flock who are mostly the downtrodden who may find it difficult to go to Emene for salvation and healing.
“We frown at anything which will put Fr. Mbaka in harms way or deny his flocks healing.”
Okechukwu, while stating that the priest has been under attack from President Muhammadu Buhari’s opponent since he prophesied that the President will win the last election, noted that the party was in solidarity with the priest and condemn all attacks against him.
He alleged that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo influenced Mbaka’s transfer to a new parish where he will serve under someone else.
Okechukwu said, “As a party, we have watched with concern and trepidation the criticism, attack, assault and unpleasant comments hurled at Fr. Mbaka since he providentially prophesied that President Buhari would win the 2015 elections.
“Even the Church did not spare him, he was called unprintable names, yet his prophecy came true. We are happy that Fr. Mbaka was vindicated.
“It must be pointed out that accusing fingers were pointed in the direction of some anti-Buhari elements like Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a group that didn’t want to hear the name of Buhari – even though Ohanaeze denied the allegation, doubt still persists.
“For we are still at a loss why a senior priest will be demoted to an assistant parish priest.
“We repeat that we are in solidarity with Fr. Mbaka and our major concern is the security of Fr. Mbaka and the suffering of his flocks, mostly the poor who need his healing powers.
“We had thought that His Lordship Bishop Calistus Onaga could have retained him at the Adoration Ground, as the Bishop Emeritus Gbuji did because of security of his life and easy access by his flocks,” he said.
-Vanguard