Now that the Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Reverend Callistus V. C. Onaga has temporarily closed the Adoration Ministry of Fr. Ejike Mbaka, I pray he does the following:
1. Set up a committee that will include priests, nuns, and lay people who are grounded in the Catholic teachings and practices to investigate some of the controversial rants of Fr. Mbaka. This committee should be tasked to be fair, diligent, and their investigations should be done professionally. No leaks whatsoever. After their investigation, they should write a detailed report to the bishop and if possible make recommendations.
2. Ensure that Fr. Mbaka’s rights and privileges are respected. He deserves a fair hearing.
3. In the bishop’s recent letter that suspends all activities in the Adoration ground, he clearly said that Fr. Mbaka has “…persistently violated all his (i.e. the bishop’s) pastoral directives and guidelines for the Ministry Chaplaincy.” Since that’s true, the bishop should consider withdrawing Fr. Mbaka’s faculty to exercise his priestly ministry until further notice. For those who don’t know, a faculty is the authority, privilege, or permission to celebrate public Mass, hear confessions or administer sacraments such as the Eucharist. This authority is given by the diocesan bishop.
4. If Fr. Mbaka were to be working in America, his bishop would definitely send him to experts and professionals in spiritual, emotional and psychological analysis/examination, treatment and therapy. I think Fr. Mbaka needs a professional counsellor. His bishop should consider getting someone for him. He will surely benefit from it.
5. His bishop should communicate to Fr. Mbaka in unequivocal terms that he can only return to ministry after he must have seen a professional counsellor, gone through the program and is certified to return to ministry.
6. The bishop should encourage people to pray for Fr. Mbaka. If possible, he should ask Fr. Mbaka to relocate to the bishop’s house and live with him for the time being. He should continue to show him love and care as a good father does to a prodigal son. Bishop Onaga should ensure that Fr. Mbaka gets all the help he needs, especially spiritual, emotional and psychological help. The bishop should make him understand that he’s not being punished, rather he’s being saved.
In conclusion, the Catholic Church in Nigeria needs Fr. Mbaka, a healthy Fr. Mbaka. We need Fr. Mbaka who is spiritually, emotionally and psychologically healthy. We need Fr. Mbaka who is obedient to his bishop; whose theology and religious practices are in sync with what is allowed by the Church. We need Fr. Mbaka whose social justice advocacy is not reckless.
•Rev. Marcel E. Okwara, CSsR