You must have heard of Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka’s shocking transfer – as well as all the controversies that have continued to trail it? Some non Catholics have even been asking why he didn’t refuse or reject the transfer which caught many unawares on Saturday, January 30, 2016.
Well, here are some reasons, according to what some reliable sources told YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine: ‘All Catholic priests are usually subjected to some vows like Chastity, Obedience, Poverty, etc. So, Father Mbaka must obey the church and that is just what has happened here.
‘Secondly, priests can be transferred after a few years, and this is usually at the discretion of the Bishop. If we want to tell ourselves the truth, Father Mbaka has even over stayed at his parish – Christ The King. He was there for over 10 years, which doesn’t always happen like that in the Catholic Church. Some priests get transferred only after one, two or three years, depending on their Bishops.
‘I guess there is so much noise trailing Mbaka’s transfer because of his popularity and also because his healing ministry, Adoration Ministries Enugu, aka AMEN, somehow overshadowed the parish, Christ The King Parish, Enugu, which he was overseeing before being moved. So, there’s actually no big deal about what has happened.
‘Most Catholics know that priests get transferred every now and then or even get sent on study leave. It is something that happens every day. People are only talking about this because of who is involved…’
Rev. Fr. Camillus Ejikemeuwa Mbaka is in his 40s. From Itupu, Enugu State, the dark complexioned and averagely built servant of God may rightly pass as one of the most controversial priests produced by the Catholic Church in Nigeria. Highly industrious and multi talented, beyond being fearless and endowed with the gift of the garb – religiously that is – he also sings well and has dozens of musical albums to his credit. Likewise books.
Now moved to Our Lady Parish, Umuchigbo, Njinike, Enugu, by His Grace, Bishop Callistus Valentine Onaga, there is no arguing the fact that the loss of CKC will definitely be to the glory of OLP – especially in the days, weeks and months ahead and also as Father Mbaka, like he’s widely known, settles down to continue with his divine assignment.
Left with no choice as far as this matter is concerned, hear what Father Mbaka who fought ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu to a standstill was quoted to have said concerning his deployment: ‘I am giving God the glory and I welcome the Church’s choice and action with absolute acceptance and obedience…’ He ended his moving and tear-eliciting message to the people of CKC by saying that his only concern was what would become of his AMEN Ministry’s huge assets.
Interestingly, YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine also gathered authoritatively that unlike other denominations, ‘Catholic priests don’t own anything – especially the Holy Ghost Fathers whose names and surnames are usually followed by CSSP.’