PREMIUM TIMES
The Catholic Diocese of Enugu has given a condition to its outspoken priest, Ejike Mbaka, if he must avoid the prospect of facing another disciplinary action, PREMIUM TIMES reliably gathered.
Background
PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that the leadership of the diocese, in October, directed Mr Mbaka to step down as the Spiritual Director of his Adoration Ministry in Enugu, and proceed to a monastery as part of the disciplinary measures against him.
The disciplinary measures against the cleric followed his scathing remarks against the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Mr Mbaka, had in June, prophesied that Mr Obi would not win the 2023 presidential election because he was a “stingy man.”
Many Nigerians, including the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, criticised him over “the prophetic declaration” on the LP candidate.
The cleric later apologised to the LP candidate and his supporters, saying his intent was not to malign him.
The Bishop of the diocese of Enugu, Callistus Onaga, later banned church members from attending services at the Adoration Ministry, following the controversial prophecy.
The ban was lifted, three months after. The church then asked Mr Mbaka to step down and embark on a “solitary journey” to the monastery.
Anthony Amadi, another Catholic priest, was appointed as the new spiritual director of the ministry.
The diocese, however, did not give details of the monastery where Mr Mbaka had been scheduled to go.
But in November, Mr Mbaka was spotted in a monastery in Los Angeles, United States, where he was said to have gone in continuation of the “disciplinary measure” imposed on him by the church leadership.
Last month, the cleric returned to Nigeria from the US and resumed activities at the ministry.
