By Odiwuor Opiyo
ENUGU, JUNE 17, 2022 (CISA) – The Catholic Diocese of Enugu in Nigeria has castigated Fr Camillus Ejike Mbaka who is the Diocesan Director of Adoration Ministry Chaplaincy for remarks he made against a presidential candidate on June 15, during an adoration programme.
According to a disclaimer dated June 16 and signed by Bishop Ernest Anezichukwu Obodo, the Auxilliary Bishop of Enugu, Fr Wilfred Chidi Agubuchioe, the Chancellor/Secretary and Fr Geoffrey Aguigwo, the Vicar General of the diocese, it is reported that the cleric described Hon. Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate as a stingy man and a joker.
This, according to the disclaimer is in contravention of Canon 220 of the 1983 code of Canon Law that prohibits anyone from illegitimately harming the good name of person. His sentiments that Mr Obi would not make President of Nigeria was again, according to the disclaimer, a violation of canon 287 §2 which forbids priests from engaging in partisan politics.
“The Catholic Diocese of Enugu hereby condemns and dissociates herself from such unbecoming and divisive utterances from Fr Mbaka. We notify the general public that Fr Mbaka’s views on this matter are entirely personal to him and do not represent the personal position of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu,” adding that, “in an effort to keep him united to the body of Christ, we enjoin him to refrain from making further provocative prophecies or utterances capable of heating up the polity.”
The diocese additionally, through the disclaimer, notified the public of due canonical process to take action against Fr Mbaka’s remarks.
“We urge all the people of God to continue to pray for peaceful elections and to discharge their civic responsibilities by getting their permanent Voters Card (PVC) and casting their votes in order to elect the right candidates,” the disclaimer concluded.
