‘Why We Stopped Mbaka, Others From Making Political Utterances’ — Catholic Bishops

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has explained
why it banned the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministries Enugu
Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka and other priests from using
their position or ecclesiastical property to promote what appeared
to be partisan politics.

In an address to the faithful at the opening mass of the ongoing
second CBCN plenary in Enugu, the President of the conference and
Archbishop of Benin Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Augustine
Akubeze, said it was not the practice of the church to identify
unelected leaders through prophetic visions, dreams or
revelation.

“Anyone who pronounces a particular candidate as God’s anointed
political leader,” the prelate added, “is not speaking for the
church.”

He said: “We will like to state that the church is interested in
the political situation in Nigeria. Although the church does not
support any party, it praises every government that prioritises the
welfare of the citizens. At the same time, the church condemns any
government policy that is not people-friendly.

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“We must make it clear once again that no cleric is expected to use
his position or ecclesiastical property to promote what appears to
be partisan politics. The church believes that political parties
have persons that can lead. There is no party that has monopoly of
good leaders. There is no party that has monopoly of bad
leaders.”

“Therefore, it is imperative that clerics must avoid every form
of political endorsement using the ecclesiastical positions given
them. At the same time, it is not the practice of the church to
identify unelected leaders through some form of prophetic visions
or dreams or revelation.”

Archbishop Akubeze, who explained the role of clerics educating
the people to choose leaders who would work for the good of
humanity, advised diocesan bishops to ensure that actions were
taken when any priest or religious leader violated the traditional
Catholic belief.

In June, the Catholic Church banned Fr Mbaka from commenting on
partisan politics.

In a letter to the cleric, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese,
Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, announced the conversion of the
Adoration Ministry to a chaplaincy, which would bring it under the
control of the Enugu Diocese, with the bishop having the power to
appoint a chaplain to oversee its operations.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has explained
why it banned the Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministries Enugu
Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka and other priests from using
their position or ecclesiastical property to promote what appeared
to be partisan politics.

In an address to the faithful at the opening mass of the ongoing
second CBCN plenary in Enugu, the President of the conference and
Archbishop of Benin Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Augustine
Akubeze, said it was not the practice of the church to identify
unelected leaders through prophetic visions, dreams or
revelation.

“Anyone who pronounces a particular candidate as God’s anointed
political leader,” the prelate added, “is not speaking for the
church.”

He said: “We will like to state that the church is interested in
the political situation in Nigeria. Although the church does not
support any party, it praises every government that prioritises the
welfare of the citizens. At the same time, the church condemns any
government policy that is not people-friendly.

Read Also: Court dismisses Oshiomhole’s purported suspension
from APC at ward level
“We must make it clear once again that no cleric is expected to use
his position or ecclesiastical property to promote what appears to
be partisan politics. The church believes that political parties
have persons that can lead. There is no party that has monopoly of
good leaders. There is no party that has monopoly of bad
leaders.”

“Therefore, it is imperative that clerics must avoid every form
of political endorsement using the ecclesiastical positions given
them. At the same time, it is not the practice of the church to
identify unelected leaders through some form of prophetic visions
or dreams or revelation.”

Archbishop Akubeze, who explained the role of clerics educating
the people to choose leaders who would work for the good of
humanity, advised diocesan bishops to ensure that actions were
taken when any priest or religious leader violated the traditional
Catholic belief.

In June, the Catholic Church banned Fr Mbaka from commenting on
partisan politics.

In a letter to the cleric, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese,
Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, announced the conversion of the
Adoration Ministry to a chaplaincy, which would bring it under the
control of the Enugu Diocese, with the bishop having the power to
appoint a chaplain to oversee its operations.