Catholic Father Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry has suspended church programmes in his church, in compliance with the order of the Bishop of the Diocese.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Mr Mbaka informed his members that there would no longer be church programmes at the church.

“There will be no program starting from tomorrow being 19th June 2022 at Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria Amen, Umuchigbo Emene, Enugu State,” the statement said.

“Sunday Mass, Wednesday (E No Dey) And Night Programs will not hold till Further Notice.

“God bless Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria Amen and God Bless Our Spiritual Director, Rev Fr, Ejike Mbaka. Keep praying for Our Daddy and may God Bless you all.”

Last week, the cleric described Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, as being too stingy and unfit to be the next president.

“It is better to have a president who is a gifted old man than a young man with ‘gum’ hands,” Mr Mbaka said, adding that “Do you want people to starve? If he becomes president, he will close our ministry.”

Following the public outburst, Calistus Onaga, the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese sanctioned the cleric and shutdown the church 

“In fulfilment of my pastoral duties as the Chief Shepherd with the obligation to promote and safeguard the Catholic faith and morals in Enugu Diocese, I hereby prohibit all Catholics (clergy, religious and lay faithful) henceforth from attending all religious and liturgical activities of the Catholic Adoration Ministry until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese is concluded,” Mr Onaga said.