Worshippers at the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, on Sunday, protested the Catholic authority’s sanction arising from Fr Ejike Mbaka’s verbal attack on Peter Obi.
They expressed their support for Mbaka, the Spiritual Director of the Ministry.
The supporters also called for the immediate removal of the Bishop of Enugu, Callistus Onaga.
With leaves and placards, they chanted solidarity songs and repeatedly chorused “Onaga Must Go”.
On Friday, Bishop Onaga announced a ban on activities at the Adoration Ground in Enugu.
He said some of the teachings and utterances of Mbaka “are not consistent with the teachings and faith of the Catholic Church”.
Mbaka drew the anger of his superiors after damning comments against Obi, a 2023 presidential hopeful.
The former two-term Governor of Anambra State is the candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
The cleric had declared that Obi cannot become the President of Nigeria because he is “stingy”.
Following outrage, Mbaka, in a lengthy open letter, apologized to Obi and the Catholic Church for his outburst.
But curiously, Mbaka distanced himself from Sunday’s protests by his followers, saying he never knew about the protest, nor did he authorise it.
Rather, Mbaka said he received in obedience the ban on his Adoration Ministry and has since shut the ministry till further notice.
Mbaka also called on his members, who had taken “to attacking or insulting my dear Bishop,” to desist from that as according to him, the Bishop is the shepherd of the Church in the Diocese and must be respected.
He issued a statement saying: “My attention has been drawn to activities that took place in the Adoration ground on Sunday. I am not in any way involved in such activity.
“We received with obedience the directive issued by my Bishop, His Excellency, Most Rev CVV Onaga on June 17, 2022
“May I therefore appeal to the faithful, in particular members of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Nigeria, to remain calm and United with the body of Christ in the Diocese and also refrain from any measure of violence either in action or by abusive utterances.
“Those who take to attacking or insulting my dear Bishop, should desist from such.
“The Bishop is the Shepherd of the Church in the Diocese and we remain his flock who in every way and at all times is expected to be respectful, obedient and willing to respond favourably to his apostolic directives.
“May I also remind you that all Adoration activities have been suspended till further notice.
“Adoration Ministry is ever submissive to the mother Church. I enjoin all adorers to know this and remain constantly in prayers for the manifestation of the Will of God in the life of the Ministry”.