Martins who was appointed Archbishop of Lagos by the Pope in 2012 , said this during an interview with 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 a heated debate, the archbishop said Mbaka is under the Diocese of Enugu and therefore does not report to him .
He, however, said if Mbaka continues in the manner with which he is doing things, the Catholic Church may bar him from ministering .
Responding to a question , 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 as far as politics is concerned .
“The position of the Catholic Church on matters that have to do with politics is not to be partisan in statements that are made . 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.
“ Therefore, this kind of prophecy or vision that Fr Mbaka is talking about is certainly not the kind that we expect of priests in the Catholic Church , ” he said .
