Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Adewale Martins, has disclosed that the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, may be removed from his post in the Catholic Church if he continues to go against the doctrines of the Church.
Fr. Mbaka had prophesied that the All Progressive Congress’s candidate in Imo March 9 gubernatorial election, Hope Uzodinma would emerge as governor in 2020.
He stated this on new year’s eve but his prophecy came to pass on Tuesday when the Supreme Court sacked Emeka Ihedioha and named Uzodinma as the duly elected governor.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC Igbo, Martins which was appointed Archbishop by the Pope in 2012, said: “Fr. Mbaka falls under the authority of the Bishop of Enugu Diocese and therefore he has the responsibility of cautioning him. I can imagine that this must be giving the bishop some challenges.
“It must be giving him a bit of a headache and I feel sorry for him and I hope he will find some way of dealing with this matter that has been recurring. Of course, what could be done in the end is either to say, ok you receive the sanction of being stopped from public ministry. That is a possibility. If it is not done, there must be a reason.”
The Archbishop argued that Mbaka should have ensured his conduct corresponds with the scriptures and the doctrine of the Catholic Church if he had received the prophecy from God.
He added, “It is utterly surprising that Fr Mbaka would go as far as naming one person as governor against another. It is embarrassing when you hear of priests or people in position of authority making statements that are clearly partisan.
“The position of the Catholic Church on matters that have to do with politics is not to be partisan. Of course, we as a church cannot be oblivious to political events and happenings in the country or the world at large and therefore we must speak from the point of view of principles.
“The priest who believes he has a gift of prophecy has to test whatever has been told to him in the light of the scriptures, in the light of the teachings of the church and in terms of the authority that has been given to leaders in the church.”
Known highly for his controversial prophecies, fr. Mbaka was ordained a Catholic priest in 1995.
Although his prophecy about former President Goodluck Jonathan not securing reelection came true, his prophecy that the then Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, would not return to office failed.
