The Catholic Church Tuesday distanced itself from the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, saying that the church is apolitical and it’s wrong for any priest to support a political candidate in an electioneering period.
The church made its position known following the the statement made by Father Mbaka against presidential candidates of both Peoples Democratic Party and the All progressives Congress, especially the one against the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Peter Obi,
The Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Achi, said the church was not in support of the Mbaka’s remarks.
His words, “The diocese is not in support of any priest making political statements.
“The church is supposed to be apolitical and the Bishops’ conference has said that repeatedly.
“We are not supposed to make any political statements from the pulpit within the context of Mass, that is, church service.
“So, it would be wrong to stand at the pulpit to make any political statements.
“There is a document issued by the Bishops’ conference to that effect.
“So, he just spoke on his own, not representing the diocese.
“We are not expected to come out openly to support a particular candidate for any reason. The church law does not accept such a thing. So, it would be wrong for anybody (priest) to come out and give an endorsement to a particular candidate.”
Father Mbaka had told Obi to name a project he would do for God after Dave Umahi the Ebonyi state governor and others had donated several items to the ministry. But Obi reacting to Mbaka’s request said that he (Mbaka) should show him a project they have in mind and he will communicate to the ministry later.
Angered by Obi’s statment, Mbaka said that Atiku/Obi might end up in shame the way they were going. He described Obi as a stingy man, noting that if they did not change before the 2019 general elections, they are likely to fail.
Meanwhile, former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has slammed Reverend Father Mbaka over over the Obi comment.
The Reverend Father had drawn condemnation from Nigerians who wondered if his prophesies were tied to money or church donations.
