We transferred Mbaka to make him more useful- Church

The Catholic Church has explained that the transfer of firebrand priest, Fr Ejike Mbaka from Enugu Parish to Emene is to make him more useful.

In the words of the Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Reverend Father Ralph Madu, Mbaka's transfer was not a punishment but a normal church procedure.

“Mbaka’s transfer  is not an exception; the Bishop has the right to post any priest wherever he feels his service would be more useful to the church.

“ His posting should have been a privilege, not a punishment – which the Bishop can do because he has the power.

“If he (Mbaka) says it’s a punishment, then it’s open for further investigation. Posting is a regular thing, a priest can be transferred after two, three, four, or more years. It depends on the discretion of the Bishop.

“That ministry (Adoration Ministry) is his private ministry. It does not belong to the church. Overseeing a parish is a full time job. Overseeing a ministry is a bigger task. If the church decides to take him somewhere where he’ll have more time to carry out his ministry, how is it punitive? That should not be the language.

“He is supposed to be a missionary. What if the Bishop had closed down the ministry , which is within his power to do? Sometimes, transfers can be for the good of the priest as something can be going wrong which he might not be aware of. The Bishop is free to move any priest at any time, it is his prerogative.”

A lot of public outcry has greeted the transfer of Mbaka from the GRA Enugu Parish where he has developed a huge following.

He is expected to assume duties immediately at his new parish.