Okpalaume Mary, Sapele
An Anglican priest, Venerable Oghenekaro Nelson Emibeyo has stated that he cannot judge the actions of the embattled Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Enugu who spoke up against former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration during last year’s electioneering period and who have been accused by many people including preachers of hobnobbing with politicians from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Mohammadu Buhari.
While saying that every true preacher is supposed to rebuke and correct ills in the society, he however frowned at men of God who preach out of sentiment stressing that any message from the pulpit is supposed to be under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
“The word of God is balanced. In this prophetic era, people speak to confront the ills in the society and even today the priest, the preacher or the pastor is still talking. We get our inspiration of the Holy Spirit. For you to say that the lord used him (Fr. Mbaka); it is expected that every man of God should be an oracle of God – speaking the mind of God. But any man of God that speaks out of emotion or sentiment is on his own. I cannot judge if he spoke out of sentiment. Whichever the case, a preacher is supposed to rebuke and correct. It is part of the preaching of the gospel.”
Rev. Emibeyo who spoke with this reporter buttressed that the church still stands on its fight against societal vices saying that the fight against corruption in the country should begin with the leaders. He however added that anti graft war should not be used as a tool for victimization.
According to him, “the Bible says that before you remove the speck from somebody’s eyes, you should first of all remove the log from your own eyes. Corruption should not just be used as a tool of victimization. We should look inward. Charity begins by exemplary leadership. Fighting corruption should start from the individual.”
Fr. Mbaka who has been called a false prophet by former President Jonathan’s followers in an interview with newsmen recently said it was the responsibility of every man of God to speak the truth saying that anyone who is silent in times of evil is beneficiary of evil.
