Mbaka Removed From Adoration Ministry, Replaced By Amadi
ALL is not well at the popular Adoration Ministries, Enugu- Nigeria (AMEN) following an announcement that Bishop Callistus Onaga has removed Fr. Ejike Mbaka as its Spiritual Director.
Mbaka, who personally announced his re-assignment during the Sunday Mass, stated that the bishop had appointed Fr. Anthony Amadi as his replacement, to be assisted by other unnamed priests.
He said: “So, while I proceed to the monastery to continue with the remaining disciplinary exercises, as directed, I wouldn’t know how long, but the church has appointed Fr. Anthony Amadi, one of us, to be overseeing all affairs of the ministry, to be assisted by other priests, pending my return, by the grace of God.”
Mbaka had earlier explained that the ministry had not fully opened, as some programmes, including the weekly Friday all-night adoration remained suspended till further notice, adding: “Our Sunday Masses and Wednesdays’ E No Dey Again programmes would continue, while others, such as Friday all-night adoration remains suspended.”
Amadi, who was present at the Mass, was nearly lynched by angry worshipers, who had already enveloped him before AMEN security personnel rushed to his rescue and guided him to the Father’s House.
Mbaka had barely announced the name of his replacement when the congregation erupted into a shouting protest and started carrying green leaves, forcing him to quickly conclude the Mass.
Thousands of faithful had thronged the prayer ground with excitement following an earlier announcement that Onaga had lifted ban on the ministry, but were dejected by Mbaka’s removal.
Onaga had restricted the fiery priest in June this year by announcing official prohibition of all Catholic faithful, clergymen and religious from attending all AMEN programmes, a Catholic ministry founded and run by Mbaka, following the utterances of the priest that did not go down with many, including the federal government.
