Nigerian priest, Fr. Ejike Mbaka has apologised to the Catholic church over his recent actions, even as he blamed the devil.
The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministries in Enugu, in a sermon on Sunday, also begged Callistus Onaga, Bishop of Enugu to forgive him and his followers.
“There was a lot of mixed information. The devil entered the story; the church did not kidnap me”, he said.
The Reverend Father’s loyalists attacked Onaga’s home last week after speculations that Mbaka had disappeared/was arrested.
They walked from the Adoration ground in Emene, to the Bishop’s Court at Igboeze Street, Independence Layout, where they destroyed parts of the building.
They damaged the Cathedral Church, desecrated the Holy altar of sacrifice, the diocesan Bishop’s residence, the cathedral Parish house and the secretariat complex. Onaga called for appeasement.
Mbaka stressed that everything in his life is for the church and that he cannot disobey the institution and its leaders.
“Who am I? How can somebody who has been serving the church for 25 years come out to begin to fight the same church. I don’t have any problem with my bishop,” he said.
Mbaka regretted the riot that occurred when he was summoned as well as the threat of further violence issued by the protesters.
“I wish to apologise to whoever misunderstood my statement. I did not clap for anybody for destroying anything. I heard that the search for Father Mbaka was hijacked; people joined and started breaking things. Those that carried out that destruction are not members of the Catholic Church,” he claimed.
Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, cautioned Mbaka and told him to respect his superiors.
The respected religious leader reminded Mbaka of the Canon Law 285 which prohibits the clergy from engaging in anything unbecoming to the Catholic Clerical state.
Kaigama said Mbaka must abide by his oath: ‘I promise obedience and respect to you, my local ordinary and your successors’, till his last day on earth.
