These are obviously not all the videos. There are many more.
A priest should not use his pulpit to support a candidate in an election, neither should he use his pulpit to stop people from supporting a candidate in an election.
How can you then say that this is not a violation of Canon Law?
That video above is his campaign for APC. This is his campaign for PDP.
The video above was recorded at their cross over event from December to January 2015. The video below was recorded less than a month before the video above.
This is November 2014 and Patience Jonathan was the special guest at the Adoration Ministry's harvest.
Father Mbaka said that the Adoration Ministry was praying for President Jonathan to win the 2015 election.
He said, "Even if you are not here, we are not stopping, because we want him to go back".
Have those that are asking for a video seen the video yet? This is just one of many.
This is basically a political campaign rally. What was the slogan of the APC ahead of the 2015 election?
Remember, you are not to support any political party or candidate, you are not to endorse any candidate, neither are you to tell your congregation not to vote for or support any candidate or party without the permission of your bishop.
As a Catholic priest you can criticise government, talk about government policies and general principles without any problem. Archbishop Okogie famously did that in the 1980s. He criticised Governor Jakande and even sued him, he criticised Buhari and he especially criticised Babangida, but there was no time that he endorsed anyone or told his congregation not to vote for anyone (he didn't even tell his congregation that they should not vote for Jakande).
Many other priests and bishops have also criticised government, but they didn't endorse any politician.
Whenever a priest's interaction with a politician has the potential to become controversial or is too close to the line, the priest must get the permission of his superior. Bishop Kukah had previously been trying to reunite Atiku and Obasanjo, but Obasanjo refused. By the time that Obasanjo accepted, Atiku had already declared his intention to contest for the presidency. Therefore Bishop Kukah had to get the views of his superior before he went to reunite them. Furthermore, he left immediately after the reunification. He didn't endorse anyone.
Laws are meant to apply to anyone in an organisation and this is not a new law, I have known about this for decades (even before Father Adasu's episode) and it has always been the same for everybody.
The claim that people like Anthony Cardinal Okogie, who served for a long time as president of CAN, Archbishop of Lagos and who became a cardinal and retired since 2012, is jealous of Father Mabaka, is extremely ridiculous and people who say nonsense like that have no idea what they are talking about. Ditto for the claims that people like John Cardinal Onaiyekan and Archbishop Martins are jealous of him.
It is also incredibly ridiculous to say that these men, who have criticised PDP governments in the past, are criticising Father Mbaka because they support PDP. Anybody that says that is incredibly ignorant.
When people have no point, they automatically resort to ethnicity or partisan politics. I can't count the number of times that I've been called all kinds of things on Nairaland and it's always from people who have no point.
Hahhahahahahahaha (I fell off my chair).
Now it's my "ibo fellas". Anyway, I'll add that to my list. Read below.
Hahahahahahaha!
This is so interesting! I'm posting on two threads at the same time, on one thread I'm being called an "ACN goon" (the "Fashola largassese" thread), while on this one it is being implied that GEJ is my "master". Anyway I'll add them to my list.
naptu2: I'm going to add that to my list.
Let's see. . . . All the things I've been called on nairaland.
"Government official or SSS agent", "Benefiting from Lagos State Government", "Yoruba Boy", "Northerner", "GEJ asslicker", "librarian", "journalist", "you people" (I suspect that the guy meant either muslim or northerner), "Fashola". I think there's more.
[quote author=Ogbuefi_Negro]Austin Peter's pikin Peter Obe
lol[/quote][quote author=Ogbuefi_Negro]Good morning my brother. lol.
oh i forgot o, add "oko ishilove" put for the names. where is she, surprised she hasnt shown up.[/quote]
[quote author=Patrioticman007 post=85930069][/quote]You still haven't shown me where he endorsed any candidate.
Bishop Kukah and Stella Obasanjo's family have been friends for decades (through Sir Christopher) and therefore he knows Olusegun Obasanjo. Obasanjo and Atiku were quarrelling and as a priest it's his duty to reconcile them. He sought the advice of his archbishop and his archbishop told him to go ahead and he reconciled them.
Did he address the press to tell people to vote for Atiku? Did he say Atiku is the best person for the job? In fact, did he say anything about Atiku at that meeting?
If your grouse is that he met Atiku, well he also met Buhari before the election.
Now, show me where he endorsed anyone (I can show you where Mbaka endorsed candidates for elections).
(Remember what's written in the first post).
This does not mean that priests cannot be involved in politics at all. Priests can criticise governments, condemn corruption, advocate that government should help the poor, etc. They can also vote in elections, but they must not tell their congregation to vote for politician Y or to vote against politician X.
Patrioticman007: Your mumu never do ?, when are you going to sanction Matthew Kukah, for his partisan political statements ?. He is busy supporting PDP party against APC, just last week, he made childish talks. C.A.N or Catholics that's your headache, for there are no difference.
Did he specifically endorse any politician for any election?
(Remember what's written in the first post).
This does not mean that priests cannot be involved in politics at all. Priests can criticise governments, condemn corruption, advocate that government should help the poor, etc. They can also vote in elections, but they must not tell their congregation to vote for politician Y or to vote against politician X.
CaptainMeks: Jesus said in John 15 (I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away....)
In other words, He is the source, we the church are his branches while God nourishes both the source and the branches as the husbandman aka Gardner.
The word of God is what nourishes the Church and not the so called Canon laws made by men.
Any Branch who does not bear fruit through this nourishment being received, will be cut off. It seems the Catholic Church wants every member to be cut off and to either away and die spiritually through the adherence of their Canon law and not True Word of God.
At least now you are no longer saying that he didn't violate Canon Law. That's good enough for me.
eDeity: Hello please quote me only when you have sensible evidence. Evidence like video or a link to one of his talk where he was telling the people to vote for the persons you mentioned And not as usual lengthy essay where hungry individuals are putting words in his mouth.
CaptainMeks: Group or Organization? So the Catholic Church is now a group or Organization and no longer the body OF CHRIST WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH AND WHO HAS GIVEN US HIS WORD AS A GUIDE and not the Canon law?
You may as well call the Catholic Church a Cult as well
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Please don't make me laugh by trying to twist my words.
Every church is an organisation. That's how they register with the Corporate Affairs Commission. The Redeemed Christian Church is an organisation, the Anglican Church is an organisation, the Living Faith Church is an organisation, Christ Embassy is an organisation, Jehovah's Witness is also an organisation.
They are all organisations and they all have different rules (some workers were recently fired from the Living Faith Church for breaching their rules.
If you choose to call them cults, then that's your problem, not mine. I couldn't care less.
RuudVanNisteroy: Adewale Martins: Mbaka May Be Barred From Preaching By Catholic
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 doctrines and tenets of the Catholic Church.
Martins, who was appointed Archbishop of Lagos by the Pope in 2012, said this during an interview with the 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 heated debate, the archbishop said Mbaka was under the Diocese of Enugu and did not report to him.
He, however, said if Mbaka continued in the manner he was doing things, the Catholic Church may bar him from ministering.
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.
“The position of the Catholic Church on matters that have to do with politics is not to be partisan. 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.”
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.
Mbaka, who was ordained a Catholic priest in 1995, has been known to give many controversial prophecies.
In 2002, he prophesied that the then Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, would not return to office in the election but the governor won a second term.
In 2015, Mbaka prophesied that President Goodluck Jonathan would lose to the current President, Maj Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), which came true.
When God gives you a word and commands you to speak no Canon law from hell can stand in the way of that.
Catholic Church cannot put God in a bottle and try to dictate how or what God says. God speaks whenever he pleases and through whosoever he wills including Mbaka.
If the other Priests are content with only officiating mass then that is their cup of communion wine but the Church first and foremost is called to lead in all spheres including politics.
The Bible says, "He that knows what is right but does not do it, to him it is a sin" (James 4:17).
So if Mbaka knows that the right thing to do is speak and he refuses to do it, it becomes a sin to him and who wants to let sin drag him or her to hell.
Naptu2 your Thread and the Canon laws are nonsense where the word and light of God are concerned
Tell the Pope I said so
Every group and organisation has its rules and if you don't like the rules you simply leave. (Isn't that what you guys usually tell Muslims that want to wear hijab to school?)
shugar25: I expect the op to support his claim with a post where father mbaka told his congregation who to vote for and who not to vote for as against the Canon law and if there is non, but only said what God told or show him then he has breach any law.
Godisgreatest1: This is the worst piece I have come across in this forum, it doesn't relate in any way, just another party supporter crying quietly, deeply hurt obviously. Now, because the reverend father revealed a prophesy, that translates to him asking people to vote for a party!! This is a total waste of time and effort to read. Look, if you don't like a party just say so!..if the prophesy was the other way round your write up would have been 'Fr. Mbaka, the last voice of the common man!'. If tomorrow this same priests says 'APC will not win any election again and PMB will go to his village', all of you crying now like breastfeeding children will start dancing and laughing like hyenas..Imo state has a new governor, and Fr. Mbaka prophesied it! If you don't like it wait till the next election.
eDeity: U dey mind them It that same incoherent and gibberish lines everyday without pinpointing where and how he violated catholic rules. Mbaka have
There are many, but here's one.
(Godisgreatest1 thanks for making me laugh by claiming that I support PDP or whoever. That's the funniest joke that I've heard in a long time.)
Mbaka ‘endorses’ Buhari, Ugwuanyi for 2019 general election
Uncategorized By Kingsley OBIEJESI On Jan 2, 2019
EJIKE Mbaka, a controversial Catholic Priest from the Diocese of Enugu, has endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari and the incumbent Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for a second term in their respective offices.
Mbaka gave the endorsement during his new year sermon at his ‘Adoration Ministry’ in Enugu.
He described Buhari as “a man who understands the situation”, adding that “a President that is fighting corruption should be supported”.
“We pray for President Muhammadu Buhari; he is a man who understands the situation. Since Nigeria started, we have never experienced a President that has agricultural programmes like him. It’s like calling somebody thief in the media but you are not a thief,” Sahara Reporters quoted Mbaka as saying.
“For 16 years, the road from Anambra to Enugu was overgrown with weeds but within four years, the road is being rebuilt.
“For remembering us, God will bless him. It shall be well with him. Four years doesn’t mean eight years; he has finished his four years and I pray for a peaceful transition that he may complete his remaining four years.”
Mbaka’s endorsement of Buhari is coming just weeks after he accused the President of not doing anything for his Adoration Ministry in spite of all the ordeals he (Mbaka) and his congregation suffered for supporting him in 2019.
Speaking to Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano State who attended his church’s harvest and bazzar ceremony, Mbaka said it was only Buhari’s wife Aisha who occasionally donates items to be distributed to the poor, but the President, for whom the congregation prays and fasts unceasingly, had abandoned them.
Also in his January 1 sermon, Mbaka poured eulogies on Ugwuanyi, the Enugu State governor, for bringing peace and development to the state.
“Enugu has never seen it like this,” Mbaka was quoted as saying. “For the first time in the history of Enugu, the and Vikings cult groups are not fighting, only a man like him can do it.
“Enugu is in God’s hands and we have to hand the governor over to God because Enugu is in peace. There is no other state in this country that has this kind of peace. Generations will not forget you. Adoration Ministry will not forget you.
“For such person who is doing well, we will tell him to continue. I pray for God’s protection in his life. If it is endorsement you call it, it is your word.”
Recall that in the run-up to the 2015 general election, Mbaka caused an uproar when he made a u-turn to endorse Buhari after having initially spoken in favour of Goodluck Jonathan.
His prediction eventually came to pass as Buhari won the election. But the Catholic priest has also criticised the President for condoning corrupt individuals in his government, saying that if Buhari cannot sack the corrupt officials in his inner circle, “then all of them should go“.
TeaParty: I’ll Sanction Mbaka If He’s Under My Diocese, Says Onaiyekan

 More troubles appear to be staring the controversial Catholic Priest and Founder of Adoration Ministry, Enugu Catholic Archdiocese, Rev. Fr Ejike Mbaka, in the face following his statement urging Nigerians to reject President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and vote for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd ) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 14 presidential election.
Speaking to THISDAY in an exclusive interview, the Catholic Bishop of Abuja Metropolitan See, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, said given the rules of the church, Fr. Mbaka ought to be sanctioned.
This came as Onaiyekan cautioned the PDP and opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) to desist from campaigns of calumny.
He stated that prophecies of doom ahead of 2015 elections notwithstanding, “PDP and APC have no right to disorganise Nigeria.”
Onaiyekan, commenting on Fr Mbaka, said the priest went overboard in his statement insinuating that President Jonathan’s administration has been plagued with ‘bad luck’ and poor performance.
Onaiyekan distanced the Catholic Church from Mbaka’s statement, stating that, “Mbaka will take responsibilities for his own actions. I do not believe in my mind that the way things are in Nigeria, any Catholic priest has the mandate to decide which of the political contestants should be voted for. What most of us will do is to tell people to vote according to their conscience and then, we tell the authorities to allow people to vote freely and fairly.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if most people are not happy with the statement he made. From my reactions, you should see that I do not agree with him. I don’t believe a priest should be doing that.
“But, like I said, Mbaka is a priest of his own type. If he was in my archdioceses, I will have sanctioned him long ago for the kind of things and utterances that he makes. But, he is not under my diocese; he has a Bishop to handle that if there is any need,” the Cardinal observed.
Onaiyekan, rather maintained that Mbaka had earlier made insinuations that President Jonathan’s wife, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, will continue in office. “I hope that people are not thinking that we are sending Mbaka to talk rubbish, how can they think that? If you want to hear anything even not official but at least, authoritative, then, you listen to the bishops. Rather than him and I don’t see any bishop talking that way.”
Meanwhile, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, said Nigerians should avoid hasty generalisation, as the statement of one Catholic priest cannot be taken to represent the voices of more than 30 million Catholics in Nigeria.
Kaigama told THISDAY that though Mbaka could not have been speaking for the Nigerian Catholic Church, Nigerians should avoid making unguided statements and hasty generalisation on national issues like the 2015 general election.
“There are more than 30 million Catholics in Nigeria, Fr Mbaka is just one Catholic, if he makes a statement, it cannot be the voices of more than 30 million Nigerian Catholics speaking.
“So Nigerians should avoid hasty generalisation. Mbaka cannot speak for the church, only the CBCN can speak for the church. Those who are complaining, should go to Fr Mbaka and find out why he is saying what he is saying,” Kaigama said.
The CBCN President informed THISDAY that it is completely out of place for a Catholic priest to be partisan.
“I tell you, even the Canon Law forbid a priest to engage in partisan politics,” Kaigama told THISDAY.
Asked if there would be punitive measures meted out to Mbaka, Kaigama said: “If the law has been abused, we will ensure that we enforce the law. In this case, it is not the Catholic church; the church did not send him to say those things.
“Mbaka belongs to a diocese, so if the Bishop finds out that he has fallen out of line, the Bishop can call him to order,” he said.
“Mbaka is just expressing his opinion, if we want to make a political statement, we know how to do it. That we keep quiet and we are marginalised, does not mean we don’t have strength. With more than 30 million Catholics, we have the strength,” Kaigama submitted.
The Archbishop of Jos argued that there was no public uproar when the same Mbaka assured the first lady of continuity.
Fr. Mbaka has come under intense condemnation following his sermon last week, lampooning Jonathan’s administration for poor performance.
ucheeee: •’Mixing religion with politics is dangerous’
By Sam Eyoboka & Olayinka Latona
Retired Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, explains why the clergy should not mix religion with politics. He speaks against the backdrop of the statement by the Enugu-based Catholic priest and founder of Adoration Ground, Father Ejike Mbaka, that members of his congregation should reject President Goodluck Jonathan in the general elections.
How do you see the statement credited to Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka? Any serious priest will not speak the way he spoke. I am not saying that he is not serious. I will not agree with the things he said. According to what I read in the newspapers, a few weeks earlier, the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, visited his Adoration Ground in Enugu and he prayed for her. At that occasion, he was said to have lambasted the opposition party, APC, and now to turn around overnight and start lambasting President Goodluck Jonathan shows that there is something wrong somewhere.
Personally, I felt bad because it is not the place of a priest to go to that extent. He can have his personal opinion, but to go to the extent that he went is abnormal. I want you to know that he wasn’t speaking for the church. He said he was moved by the spirit, and I wonder what kind of spirit was that.
He said he was under the inspiration of the spirit. If he was under the inspiration of the spirit, I wonder if the spirit is that of God. I don’t think the spirit he’s referring to is the spirit of God. He must have been under the influence of another spirit. He must have been listening to a wrong spirit.
Is the statement not embarrassing to the Catholic Church as a whole? Indeed, it is. But I must say to you that he was not speaking on behalf of the church. No! No!! No!!! Anybody with such opinion is in error. The man cannot hold brief for the church. Pardon me, but how can I say you are bloody fool and anybody takes that to mean that all journalists are bloody fools. It’s very funny.
In a situation such as this, what does the Catholic Church do? Well, the Catholic Church is structured in such a way that there are dioceses where each priest belongs. This particular priest happens to come from Enugu Diocese, so it is left for the bishop in charge of that diocese to discipline him. If the priest fails to obey the discipline, then the bishop is obligated to report the mother to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN.
You may have heard the Bishop of Abuja Diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, who said that if the priest were to be in his diocese, he would discipline him straight. But he is not in his diocese. The best anyone of us can do is just to advise him that he had gone too far and he is free to take our advice and he may not. God gave every one of us a free will and we are at liberty to use the freewill as we choose.
What kind of sanction can be given to such a priest? It depends on his bishop. You cannot dictate for his bishop. Don’t forget that this same man was at loggerheads with a former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamanni, and it was the same Adoration Ground in Enugu. If I have my way, we should close that place because a lot of things have been happening there that are out of tune. I think Gov. Peter Obi also went there for prayers at one point. If I have my way, I won’t go there for anything….
Your advice for politicians who are currently jostling for votes…. One of them came out publicly recently to say that if you are a politician and you cannot tell a lie…how then that anyone wants to go into politics? If they can openly say such a thing, it means they have been deceiving the people all this while. So, I don’t really know. Any good politician must, first and foremost, must have the fear of God in him. A responsible politician, irrespective of the office you are vying for—because they say whatever has a beginning must have an end—must begin by developing the fear of God in him because by and by your tenure will eventually come to an end.
It’s because of greed that most of them are clamouring for second or more terms. Any politician that has finished his first term and is asking for a second term, there is something wrong with him. If we look at it critically, after four years what is he clamouring for a second term for? I cannot understand Nigerians. Some of us are damn greedy. They don’t have the fear and respect for the down trodden.
Now they are up and about the whole place…they can even lick your boot now because they are canvassing for votes, but as soon as they get the votes they begin to show you pepper. They don’t regard the poor citizens that are out there; forgetting that someday and one day they may return to the status quo.
Whatever has a beginning must have an end. This is the time you get them talking but they won’t look at their manifestoes, but because they want to get to power they are going to everybody. Some of them have come to me here and I told them off: one of the first thing you’ve got to do is get religion off your mind because it is like putting petrol in a fire. You don’t mix politics with religion and some people came to me, saying, ‘Look at the situation in Lagos, what are we going to do?’ What are you going to do? Are they your God? Do they own the nation? The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Any clergyman that mixes religion with politics is finished including their church because they will not be spared.
Politicians are taking their campaigns to churches. Is it a healthy development? It is not! They should keep religion out of politics. Don’t forget each person has his or her own mind. During harvest, you have the priest and the assistant priest and you go out to invite another priest to preach, that will affect what I am going give, because I have already made up my mind on what I am going to give. They come to church to canvas for votes.
It should not be allowed by anybody. I don’t really know what to do because this election, hmm hmm hmm, I am afraid. Imagine their utterances! Look at what Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) said about Shariah in 2011, that is what they are harping on now in 2015. Why? When did you hear about Shariah last? This kind of thing is annoying. Look at the recent campaign launch that produced over N21 billion. Where did they get the money from when people are hungry? No water. No electricity. No roads. I just wonder what kind of government we have in this country. These are all corrupt persons and they will want me to cast their vote for them.
Considering clergy 1 in general, political activity is not their responsibility, but that of the laity.2 Consistent with this, Canon Law not only commands clergy to acknowledge and promote the mission of the laity in the world,3 but forbids clergy to assume public office.4 Granted: clerics may, with the permission of their superiors, play an active role in political parties or trade unions in order to defend the rights of the Church or to promote the common good.5 However, this kind of activity is clearly exceptional, justified only when the laity is unable to act effectively without direct clerical assistance. Such circumstances have existed and continue to exist from time to time in different places, but they do not now exist in Canada.
Bishops 6 do not exceed their authority or competence simply by commenting upon political issues. Faith and morals are a bishop?s proper and primary concern. But marriage, divorce, pornography, abortion and euthanasia are all moral issues which are the subject of intense political debate; so is the just distribution of earthly goods. The Church has not only the right but the duty “to pass moral judgements even in matters relating to politics whenever the fundamental rights of man or the salvation of souls requires it.”7
Neither of these concepts can be narrowly defined. Among the fundamental rights which popes and bishops have defended, for example, one finds private property, life, health, religious freedom, the right to form unions, the right to a just wage and decent hours of work, and the right to be free of excessive taxation.8
The goal is to help shape public policy that is in conformity with the law rooted in our nature that governs us all no matter what our religious belief. Thus, politicians are called to try an ensure that the laws that govern us protect human life, respect the human person, preserve the unique nature of marriage, support family, ensure the safety of children, guarantee religious freedom and make it possible for all citizens to share in the conditions that are necessary for humane living.9
However, here we must try to differentiate politics in general from party politics. In some countries mostly in Latin America such as Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico and others, priests are constitutionally barred from becoming presidents. Many priests in the United States contested for political posts in the past, something the Church frowned at due to the separation of Church and State. In the 1917 Code, it was stated that no clergy should contest for political office without the permission of his competent ordinary or superior. Finally, in the 1983 Code, the clergy were definitively barred from party politics (cf. Can 285 §3). This was an aftermath of John Paul II´s public condemnation of priests holding political offices in 1980.
Hence, the case of Fr. Moses Adasu contesting a gubernatorial post means not being in good stand with the Church. He was later reinstated. This was not the only case. In 2008 when Bishop Fernando Lugo became the president of Paraguay, he was laicised from the clerical state.
He sought the approval of the church to venture into partisan politics. However, the church withheld its approval, quoting section 287, paragraph 2 of the Canon Law, which states that the clergy are not to play an active role in partisan politics or in directing trade unions unless, in the judgment of the competent ecclesiastical authority, this is required for the defence of the rights of the church or to promote the common good.
However, Fr. Adasu insisted and ventured into partisan politics on the platform of the SDP, where he contested in the Benue State gubernatorial elections in 1991and defeated Mr. Ignatius Ayua of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He served as Governor, Benue State from 1992 to 1993.The military interrupted with the administration and Fr. Adasu returned back to the pulpit as catholic priest where he served at Adikpo and Ikyogen.
This is an article by an American priest that explains the situation quite well (this article was written ahead of the 2016 US elections).
Priests have to tell people how to vote, not whom to vote for
Fr. Dwight Longenecker
Aug 11, 2016 CRUX CONTRIBUTOR
They say you should not discuss religion, sex or politics in polite company, so when a priest discusses sex or politics, two of the three explosive topics are on the table, and the third’s there implicitly.
It seems there are two places the faithful do not want their priest: the bedroom and the voting booth. Unfortunately, we cannot turn off our faith once we leave church. A priest’s duty is to advise his flock on every aspect of life-and that includes both sex and politics.
When it comes to politics, there are some clear guidelines. As a private citizen, a priest is entitled to speak his mind about candidates and say whom he might vote for, but he should be clear that he is merely voicing his own opinion.
In a priest’s official capacity, he should speak out against injustice, corruption, violence, greed and lust, and he should speak out against clear violations of human rights on particular issues.
Is is not only a priest’s right, but also his duty to speak out against Nazism, Communism, abusive Capitalism, Jihadism and every other ungodly ideology. Priests should also speak out against particular issues like war, capital punishment, abortion, slavery, unjust wages, and crimes against marriage.
If need be, a priest can speak out against a particular candidate when that candidate takes an open stance on these issues. He must be careful, however, not to speak against the person in particular, but against the candidate’s or their party’s positions.
Priests are called to be courageous witnesses in the public square, and church history is full of priests who have stood up to the powers of this world. Whether it’s Poland’s St. Stanislaus and Jerzy Popieluszko, England’s Thomas Becket, El Salvador’s Oscar Romero, Germany’s Bishop von Galen, they have spoken against the crimes of corrupt leaders and paid the price.
To put it simply, Catholic priests have a duty to tell people how to vote, but not whom to vote for. This sounds like a tightrope, but it is not a difficult one to walk. The rule is that a priest advises his people on issues and principles that inform their conscience as Catholics, and then encourages them to vote responsibly.
As Americans go to the polls in November, most are conscious of the two presidential candidates. Given their records, personal character and party platforms, it is difficult for faithful Catholics to be completely enthusiastic about either.
However, voters should remember that they are not only electing a president. A total of 469 seats in the U.S. Congress (34 Senate seats and all 435 House seats) are up for election. Also twelve states will elect governors, not to mention elections to state legislatures elections for mayor to major cities and a multitude of local elections.
The presidential candidates get the most attention, but great good can be accomplished through the election of reliable and virtuous congressmen/women and local and state officials.
To help American citizens, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has published Forming Consciouses for Faithful Citizenship a two part summary which can be used as handouts in parishes and are available on the USCCB website. Pastors and people should make use of these resources in order to choose wisely.
Catholic Bishops ban priests from engaging in partisan politics 12/07/2018
The bishops gave the order following the public altercation that ensued between Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka and Peter Obi.
The Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), ahead of 2019 general elections, has banned its members from participating in partisan politics including joining any political party. CBCN gave the order on Thursday, December 6, 2018 in Abuja following the public altercation that ensued between Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka and the former governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, who is also the vice presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the secretary general, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Ralph Madu, the bishops condemned the incident that occurred at the Adoration ground, Enugu, adding that without reservation that it does not have the support of the CBCN.
He said, "As has always been our stand, the Catholic church in Nigeria, as clearly stated in their August 7, 2018 directives, remains apolitical and does not support or subscribe to any political party. Our concern is for a peaceful election process seen to be free, fair, credible and just, and a democratic governance that guarantees peace, justice, equity, among others.
"On behalf of the conference, we wish to reiterate their obligation as teachers of faith and morals, to educate the faithful on their role in the political life of the country, mindful of the present charged political atmosphere of Nigeria.
"With the ongoing campaigns of political parties gathering momentum, we deemed it necessary to again remind all priests and religious to keep to the position of the church on the issue of nonpartisan politics."
He hinted that the Enugu Diocese where Rev Mbaka is incardinated is taking the necessary measures on the incident.
Madu added that, by obeying the Canon Law of Catholic, no Catholic priest is allowed to participate in partisan politics.
Mbaka, during a service on Sunday, December 2, 2018, declared that the PDP's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakawill fail in 2019.
The priest made the declaration following the refusal of the PDP Vice-Presidential candidate, Peter Obi to publicly announce a donation to his ministry.
CBCN Ban Political Endorsements Published: 07 August 2018
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 issued a communique to ban all Catholic Clergy, Major Superiors of Institutes of Consecrated Life, and Lay faithful from publicly endorsing any candidate for political office. In an explicit press release, the CBCN stressed the Catholic Church’s apolitical nature especially with the tensed Nigeria’s political atmosphere.
The Nigeria political scene has seen a trend of key political figures switch alliance across varying political parties and urged their supporters to do same. Having observed all these happenings, the CBCN consequently declared that “no Catholic clergy or religious should publicly endorse any candidate for political office. Liturgical ceremonies must never be used as an opportunity for political campaigns. Similarly, ecclesiastical properties should not be used as places for support for any political candidate or party. All priests and religious should avoid giving the impression that the Church favors one candidate over another or one political party over another”.
Within the same proclamation, co-signed by Most Rev. Augustine AKUBEZE (President, CBCN) & Most Rev. Camillus UMOH (Secretary, CBCN), the Catholic Bishops’ Conference also claimed Nigeria is currently in distress and witnessing a difficult time in its history. Consequently, they went on to urge people of faith to work hard and pray for the future of the country. They also called on Catholics to recite the Prayer for Nigeria in Distress at all masses and other liturgical celebrations.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, is the organ of unity, communion and solidarity for the millions of Catholics spread across the thirty-six states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory. It is the forum wherein the collegiality of the Nigeria Catholic bishops, as successors of the Apostles in union with the Pope, is expressed and where the idea of the Church as family is signified.
Here’s why senior catholic figures are cautioning Father Mbaka (By Naptu2)
(Please, don’t just react to the title of the thread or to what you think the thread is about or to what you’ve heard before. Try and take some time to actually read the posts and understand what’s written in them. Thank you).
Father Camillus Ejike Mbaka has caused controversy in the past 20 years by hobnobbing with politicians and predicting the winners of governorship and presidential elections. This led to serious controversy in 2018 when he had a verbal altercation with Mr Peter Obi, the vice presidential candidate of the PDP.
Many senior figures in the Catholic Church have often cautioned and criticised Father Mbaka because of his political activities. Here are some examples:
Some people have claimed that these bishops only criticised Father Mbaka because they support a different candidate from the candidate that Father Mbaka endorsed. Is this really the reason? Of course it’s not. So what’s the reason for their criticisms?
Basically, their criticisms are based on Canon Law. Canon Law is the code that guides the behaviour of priests and other ministers in the Catholic Church all over the world. Canon Law states that:
Can. 283 (3). Clerics are forbidden to assume public offices which entail a participation in the exercise of civil power.
Can. 287. (2). They are not to have an active part in political parties and in governing labour unions unless, in the judgment of competent ecclesiastical authority, the protection of the rights of the Church or the promotion of the common good requires it.
These sections have always been interpreted to mean that priests must not tell voters who to vote for. They must not get involved in partisan politics that supports one candidate against another, except with the permission of their bishop.
This does not mean that priests cannot be involved in politics at all. Priests can criticise governments, condemn corruption, advocate that government should help the poor, etc. They can also vote in elections, but they must not tell their congregation to vote for politician Y or to vote against politician X. This is because it is believed that the Catholic Church exists to serve all people, no matter the party you belong to or what race you are and so the church must not be seen to be promoting one group over the other or dividing the congregation. Basically, the Catholic Church is politically neutral.
This is the reason for the criticism of Father Mbaka, because he seems to be supporting one candidate over another and this is against Canon Law.
Due to this, the Catholic Bishops Conference barred all priests from supporting politicians ahead of the 2019 elections (see second post below).
After the altercation between Father Mbaka and Peter Obi, the Church issued another warning to priests and banned them from allowing any politician to use any pulpit, altar or church property to make political statements. (see third post below).
This is a very serious issue around the world. The Catholic Church in America also issued directives to priests ahead of the 2016 election over there (so other posts below) and some Catholics in the US also complained (ahead of the 2012 election) that some priests and bishops were using their pulpits to campaign against Barrack Obama.
This is not the first time that the Catholic Church in Nigeria is facing this kind of challenge, neither is it the most serious case.
President Ibrahim Babangida appointed two Catholic priests to the Constituent Assembly in 1989 (this is not against church law). However, one of those priests, Reverend Father Moses Adasu, decided to get involved in partisan politics. He asked his bishop for permission to contest the Benue State governorship election on the platform of the SDP. The bishop (in obedience to Canon Law) refused to grant permission to Adasu. Father Adasu contested anyway and he was excommunicated by the church.
Father Adasu went on to become the civilian governor of Benue State from January 1992-November 1993, when General Sani Abacha removed all civilian governors from office.
Years later, Father Adasu was reinstated as a Catholic priest (the Church is meant to be a forgiving church).
Politics › Re: Obaseki And Shuaibu Visit Oba Rilwan Akiolu In Lagos (Photos) by naptu2: 2:56pm On Jan 20, 2020
I'm going to add that to my list.