The Catholic diocese of Makurdi has barred its
members from bringing corpses of departed
relatives to churches for funeral mass as part of
the measures of checking the spread of deadly
Ebola virus.
The diocese directed that corpses of deceased
members should be given immediate burial. It,
however, said that it would allow corpses to be
brought to churches in the area only when death
certificates issued by relevant medical authorities
were produced. This is contained in a statement by
the Director of Communications in the diocese,
Moses Iorapuu, in Makurdi on Saturday.
The statement, which was issued on behalf of the
Bishop of the diocese, Athanissius Usu, also
announced changes in two aspects of activities during
mass, including the mode of administering the Holy
Communion.
According to the statement, parishioners will
henceforth be served the eucharistic feast on their
hands as against the practice of putting it on their
tongue by the priest. Also, it said, the exchange of
the sign of peace, involving handshakes has been
replaced with other suitable gestures to avoid the
possibilities of contacting the Ebola virus. The
diocese advised priests, who conduct pastoral
visitation to hospitals to be cautious, and seek
doctor’s permission before touching sick people with
undisclosed illnesses. It also announced the
prohibition of group prayer sessions that involved
touching and praying over unknown sicknesses.
According to the statement, the measures, which
are in accordance with Federal Government’s
directive on ways of preventing the spread of Ebola
virus, are aimed at safeguarding the health of
members. “We hope that with these preventive
pastoral and standard procedures and with prayers
and steadfastness in responsible behaviours, the
Lord will keep this virus away from us. “We also
encourage personal hygiene, washing of hands
regularly, clean environment and eating habits. “We
urge you not to ignore government’s advice and
other official statements on how to prevent the
outbreak of Ebola virus.” (NAN)
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