Eniola Akinkuotu, Abuja
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Adewale Martins, says the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, could be banned from preaching if he continues to deviate from the doctrine and tenets of the Catholic Church.
Martins who was appointed Archbishop of Lagos by the Pope in 2012, said this during an interview with BBC Igbo while reacting to Mbaka’s prophecy that Hope Uzodinma would emerge as governor of Imo State.
Mbaka had on New Year’s Eve prophesied that Uzodinma would emerge as governor in 2020, a prophecy which came to pass on Tuesday when the Supreme Court sacked Emeka Ihedioha and named Uzodinma as the duly elected governor.
Reacting to the prophecy which has stirred a heated debate, the archbishop said Mbaka is under the Diocese of Enugu and therefore does not report to him.
He, however, said if Mbaka continues in the manner with which he is doing things, the Catholic Church may bar him from ministering.
Responding to a question, Martins said, “Fr Mbaka falls under the authority of the Bishop of Enugu Diocese and therefore he has the responsibility of cautioning him. I can imagine that this must be giving the bishop some challenges.
“It must be giving him a bit of a headache and I feel sorry for him and I hope he will find some way of dealing with this matter that has been recurring. Of course, what could be done in the end is either to say ok you receive the sanction of being stopped from public ministry. That is a possibility. If it is not done, there must be a reason.”
Martins who was ordained a priest in 1983, said the Catholic Church does not engage in partisan politics.
He said even if Mbaka received a prophecy from God, he ought to ensure that his conduct corresponds with the scriptures and the doctrine of the Catholic Church.
The archbishop added, “It is utterly surprising that Fr Mbaka would go as far as naming one person as governor against another. It is embarrassing when you hear of priests or people in position of authority making statements that are clearly partisan as far as politics is concerned.
“The position of the Catholic Church on matters that have to do with politics is not to be partisan in statements that are made. Of course, we as a church cannot be oblivious to political events and happenings in the country or the world at large and therefore we must speak from the point of view of principles.
“The priest who believes he has a gift of prophecy has to test whatever has been told to him in the light of the scriptures, in the light of the teachings of the church and in terms of the authority that has been given to leaders in the church.”
READ ALSO: Supporting Amotekun may deprive Southwest of 2023 Presidency, Miyetti Allah tells govs
Martins said Mbaka’s behaviour was at variance with the teachings of the Catholic Church and he had fallen below the standard expected of priests.
“Therefore, this kind of prophecy or vision that Fr Mbaka is talking about is certainly not the kind that we expect of priests in the Catholic Church,” he said.
DOWNLOAD THE PUNCH NEWS APP NOW ON
Buhari embarks on first foreign trip in 2020
John Ameh, Abuja
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will embark on a six-day trip to London on Friday, according to the State House.
He is to participate in the inaugural UK-Africa Investment Summit, while in London.
The summit itself opens on Monday, January 20, but Buhari jets out of Abuja on Friday.
Buhari is expected back in Nigeria on Thursday, next week.
It will be his first foreign trip this new year.
The Presidency, in a statement by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, explained that the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, would play host to the summit.
African leaders, business owners and heads of international organisations are billed to be in London for the summit to engage in discussions “to create new partnerships that will deliver more investments and jobs.”
The UK and Africa are expected to benefit from the outcomes of the talks.
READ ALSO: Lagos to rebuild demolished statues of Fela, Awolowo
It explained further, “Apart from highlighting new perspectives on UK-Africa Partnership for Prosperity, issues of Sustainable Finance and Infrastructure; Trade and Investment; Future African Growth Sectors and Clean Energy and Climate, are expected to dominate presentations and discussions during the Summit.
“With the expected take-off of the African Continental Free Trade Area in mid-2020, the London investment summit will provide Nigeria with the opportunity to project itself as a leading investment destination for new industries.
“In addition, the summit will deepen Nigeria-United Kingdom investment ties post-Brexit given that Africa currently represents just two per cent of British trade activity, with Nigeria accounting for only 10 per cent of that total.
“The Nigerian delegation to the investment meeting will further showcase what the Federal Government has done through policies and legislation to improve the investment and business climate in the country.”
Other engagements of Buhari while in London include holding meetings “with the Head of the Commonwealth, Prince Charles in Glasgow, Scotland”, and bilateral talks Johnson “as well as heads of multilateral organisations”.
The Presidency listed those to be on Buhari’s entourage as Governors Yahaya Bello, Muhammad Inuwa and Okezie Ikpeazu of Kogi, Gombe and Abia States respectively.
“Also on the presidential entourage are the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed; the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd); and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ahmed Rufai Abubakar,” the statement added.
DOWNLOAD THE PUNCH NEWS APP NOW ON
Comments
Post a Comment