Why We Banned Father Mbaka From Partisan Politics ― Catholic Bishops

• ”At the same time, the church condemns any government policy that is not people-friendly.”

EKOHOTBLOG reports that the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has explained the reason behind its ban on Spiritual Director, Adoration Ministry Enugu, Father Ejike Mbaka, from commenting on partisan politics.

The Bishops had ordered Father Mbaka to stop using his position to promote what appeared to be partisan politics.

The ban, EKOHOTBLOG recalls, was contained in a letter his Bishop, Most Rev Callistus Onaga, conveyed to him after his penance.

Also contained in the letter was converting the Adoration Ministry to chaplaincy to allow the diocese direct control of the Adoration Ministry.

However, in an address 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.

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

“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.

READ ALSO: Corrupt Politicians Have Hijacked Christianity  – Fr. Mbaka

”At the same time, the church condemns any government policy that is not people-friendly.

“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.

“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,” the President stated.

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• Catholic Church Bans Father Mbaka From Partisan Politics