The founding priest of the Adoration Ministries Enugu, Nigeria (AMEN), Fr Ejike Mbaka has been removed as the Spiritual Director with immediate effect, reports ITREALMS.
According to him, the bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Callistus Onaga, has appointed Fr Anthony Amadi as the new Spiritual Director of AMEN, to be assisted by other unnamed priests, with immediate effect, as reported by the Vanguard.
“So, while I proceed to the monastery to continue with the remaining disciplinary exercises, as directed; I wouldn’t know how long; but the church has appointed Fr Anthony Amadi, one of us, to be overseeing all affairs of the ministry, to be assisted by other priests, pending my return, by the grace of God,” Mbaka declared.
He reminded faithful that the ministry is yet to be fully opened, stressing that some programmes including the weekly Friday all-night adoration remained suspended indefinitely.
"Our Sunday Masses and Wednesdays’ ‘E No Dey Again’ programmes would continue, while others such as Friday all-night adoration remains suspended” he said.
ITREALMS gathered that the newly Spiritual Director of AMEN, Fr Amadi, was present at the Mass, and was attacked by angry worshipers after the announcement.
Source close AMEN revealed that the angry mob had enveloped him before security personnel rushed to his rescue and guided him safely to Father’s house nearby.
Further, ITREALMS gathered that Mbaka barely mentioned the new priest’s, name when the congregation erupted into with shouts of “we say no,” “we say no,” we no free and started carrying green leaves, thereby forcing Fr Mbaka to quickly conclude the Mass.
Thousands of faithful had excitedly thronged the prayer center from far and wide following an earlier wide announcement that Bishop Onaga had lifted ban on the ministry.
They were however left dejected following the latest development.
A source told our reporter that Fr Mbaka was only allowed to celebrate Mass at the centre so that he would personally make the announcement.
ITREALMS recalled that Bishop Onaga had slammed a veiled ban on the fiery priest mid-June, 2022.
He had simply announced official prohibition of all Catholic faithful, clergymen and religious from attending all AMEN programmes, a Catholic ministry that was founded and run by Mbaka.
Ozo Nweke Ozo/Editor
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