The All Progressives Congress has disagreed with the Catholic Church on the transfer of the founder of the Adoration Ministries, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, to a new parish.

Father Mbaka, who has been the parish-priest of the Christ the King Parish, G.R.A, in Enugu metropolis for over 20 years, was transferred to Our Lady Parish, in Emene, a suburb of the Coal City where he will reportedly serve as an assistant parish priest.

The APC South-East Caucus spokesman, Osita Okechukwu in a statement released on Sunday, January 31 said that the Catholic Church was wrong to punish a priest for declaring prophecies that have proven to be from God.

The party also accused the church of being influenced by outside forces.

Okechukwu further expressed the party’s fear for the safety of Father Mbaka, while stating that his followers would have a hard time getting to Emene for the services of the Adoration Ministry.

He said: “Whereas we accept that the transfer of priests is a routine exercise of the great Catholic Church, however we do not wholly accept a situation where the church allows external forces to influence transfer as the Mbaka’s case suggests. Otherwise, future liberation clergy who speak truth to power will be hamstrung to the detriment of the society.”

“Our major concern is the security implications and the fate of his flocks who are mostly the downtrodden who may find it difficult to go to Emene for salvation and healing. We frown at anything which will put Fr. Mbaka in harms way or deny his flocks healing.”

Okechukwu further revealed that the party, APC condemns all attack against Father Mbaka while insisting that the party was in full support of the priest.

The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo were also accused of playing a role in the supposed punishment of the priest.

“As a party we have watched with concern and trepidation the criticism, the attack, assault and unpleasant comments hurled against Fr. Mbaka since he providentially prophesied that President Buhari would win the 2015 elections.”

“Even the Church did not spare him – he was called unprintable names, yet his prophecy came true. We are happy that Fr. Mbaka was vindicated.”

“It must be pointed out that accusing fingers were pointed at the direction of some anti-Buhari elements like Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a group that didn’t want to hear the name of Buhari – even though Ohanaeze denied the allegation, doubts still persists.”

“For we are still at a loss why a senior priest will be degraded to an assistant parish priest. We repeat that we are in solidarity with Fr. Mbaka and our major concern is the security of Fr. Mbaka and the suffering of his flocks mostly the poor who need his healing powers.”

“We had thought that His Lordship Bishop Calistus Onaga could have retained him at the Adoration Ground, as the Bishop Emeritus Gbuji did because of security of his life and easy access by his flocks,” Okechukwu added.

Adebayo Emuleomo