What should the Catholic
Church do with Fr. Ejike
Mbaka?
Catholic Priesthood is not usually a
place you see renegades or priests who
only behave according to the dictates of
their own minds – like a loose cannon.
A loose cannon is defined as ‘an unpre-
dictable or uncontrolled person who is
liable to cause unintentional damage to
their own team, faction, political party’,
etc; and that’s exactly what Fr. Mbaka has
been doing – damage to the reputation of
the Church, the faith of his followers and
others who have always seen the Catholic
Church as non-partisan and non-political
because it’s members belong to different
political parties.
Fr. Mbaka seems to have defied all
known behavioural patterns of priests in
relation to involvement in politics and
mixing with politicians – both good and
bad.
The Catholic Church worldwide has
received bashing in recent times for the
sins of its priests and religious, past and
present. Yes, the Church is made up of
saints and sinners. The Lord Jesus Himself
said He came to call sinners. ‘I have not
come to call the righteous, but sinners to
repentance’, He says in Luke 5:32.; while
in Mark 2:17, He says: ‘It is not the healthy
who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not
come to call the righteous, but sinners.’
Many of us seem to be saying why can
we not accept Mbaka for who is and
if he errs, he should be forgiven. But a
sinner who keeps committing the same
sin and as a leader of people, leads them
astray cannot be taken as someone with
remorse.
There are other people who are reluctant
to say anything on the matter because
they claim the Bible says “Touch not my
anointed”. Isn’t that a bridge too far?
Mbaka can mix with whoever he wants,
especially if it is to win souls, but within
reason. Has his romance with politicians
and much-publiced prophesies helped
anybody?
Many priests in Nigeria are known to
have brought the Church into disrepute
by their words and actions, much to the
anger of many Christians and especially
Catholics who are shocked beyond belief
by these infractions. Most of the priests
involved in these unwholesome actions
are those who have some kind of inde-
pendence in running what they called
‘ministries’.
Diocesan priests and those in religious
orders seem to have some semblance of
control by their superiors or the regula-
tions governing their orders. The Domin-
icans, Opus Dei, Franciscans, Jesuits, etc,
seem to have control over their members
who obviously have to follow the rules
and obey their vows or ship out.
The priests involved in private ministries
are a different kettle of fish. And that is
where Fr. Mbaka comes into focus.
What makes him tick? Is he a real
Catholic priest? Why can’t he be con-
trolled? If his bishop cannot control him,
why won’t the Catholic Bishops Confer-
ence do something about it? Why allow
a loose cannon to ruin centuries of good
and hard work by others?
The Hope Uzodinma and Emeka Ihedi-
oha Supreme Court verdict permutation
or ‘prophesy’ is not the first time Mbaka
will publicly dabble into politics and
attract undue attention, to the chagrin of
many Catholics.
Recall the Goodluck and Patience Jona-
than days and then the following romance
with Muhammadu Buhari. Many top
politicians have been seen in photographs
with Mbaka at his adoration ground har-
vests and other events. He seems to attract
them to his place like bees to honey.
The Hope Uzodinma ‘prophesy’ has
come to pass and Ejike Mbaka says he has
39 more prophecies that will be fulfilled in
- While his Uzodinma controversy is
still on the front burner, people are mak-
ing all the required noise. A few clerics
have said their piece.
The Christian Association of Nigeria
in Imo State used some very strong
words in condemning Mbaka, over the
prophecy. Senior Apostle Godson Ibeji,
said that Mbaka’s prophecy was politically
motivated.
Dr. Adewale Martins, the Catholic
Archbishop of Lagos is quoted to have
said in an interview that Fr. Mbaka, may
be banned from preaching because of his
continous violation of the doctrines of
the Catholic Church. Archbishop Martins
who stated that he could only imagine
the headache Father Mbaka might be
giving the Bishop of Enugu Diocese in
the interview with BBC Igbo, said that he
hopes the Bishop finds a way to deal with
the matter.
I have been searching for public com-
ments from Enugu Catholic Diocese on
Mbaka’s infractions but have not seen
any so far. As happened in the past, after
this current controversy, everyone will
forget the whole matter until another one
breaks; and the circle continues.
Meanwhile, Mbaka’s publicity machine
is still winding us and telling us of more
predictions and prophesies for 2020. How
far and for how long will his bosses ignore
him?
