Why we transferred Father Mbaka — Catholic Church

The Catholic Church on Monday clarified the recent transfer of Father Ejike Mbaka, saying the controversial priest was merely being sent to where he would be more useful to the church. In an interview with Premium Times, the Secretary-General of the Catholic Secretar‎iat of Nigeria, Rev. Fr.  Ralph Madu said transfer of priests within the catholic church is a “normal church procedure.

 “Mbaka’s own 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.” Fr. Madu explained.

Fr. Mbaka had described his ‎re-posting by the church as a “calculated move” to make him suffer.

“I know we are going to suffer within now and few months to come,” the priest said. I am going to suffer and suffer; I know that. I’m going to suffer because I have no place to put my head. I am going to suffer because I have no place to keep the Adoration Ministry’s assets. I know I’m going to suffer.”

Reacting to the allegation , Rev. Fr.  Ralph Madu said;

 “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.”

Mr. Madu said Mr. Mbaka had done things that were unacceptable to the church in the past but received no punishments for them.

“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.