In a bid to avert the spread of Ebola virus, the Catholic and
Anglican Church have halted some practice which
includes hand to mouth communion and the ‘sign of
peace’ where the congregation shake hands during
communion.
With the increasing fear of the spread of Ebola across
Nigeria, the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja on Sunday
announced new procedures for worshippers at Masses to
check likely spread of the Ebola virus.
The new procedures which include the administration of
the Holy Communion on the palm of the faithful as against
placing it on the tongue of the recipient, was announced
by Rev. Fr. Moses Jimbili, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic
Church, Nyanya.
Jimbili told parishioners at the church that the measure
was a directive by the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His
Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, as check on the
spread of Ebola disease.
Onaiyekan’s directive is contained in a statement issued
by the Director of Social Communications in the
archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumunku.
“Due to the prevailing national situation on the Ebola
Virus Disease (EVD), I am directing that the following
pastoral guidelines should be observed throughout our
Archdiocese till further notice.
“The sign of peace should be omitted at Mass,
Communion in the hand is highly recommended and
should be encouraged (unless for those who insist on
receiving on the tongue),” the statement quoted the
Cardinal as saying.
Jimbili said: “You know some people sweat a lot and since
one of the ways the virus can be transmitted is through
sweating, it will be better to stop handshake so that one
does not contract it.’’
The Primate of the Church Of Nigeria Anglican
Communion the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh has also
suspended shaking of hands during the exchange of the
peace.
He also suspended the age long mouth method of
administering communion.
He said this is aimed at preventing the spread of the
disease through physical contact.
The Archbishop of Lagos Adewale Martins released a
statement yesterday saying that while the handshakes have
been suspended, Catholic priests should continue the
traditional hand to mouth method of given Holy
Communion for now, but asked the priest to make sure
their hands don’t touch the tongues of the recipient.
He also said Holy Water bowls usually placed at the
entrance of churches should be discontinued to contain
the spread of the virus.
The Director of Social Communication in the Archdiocese,
Rev. Fr. Pius Ukor shedding light on the new arrangement
said under priests will now place holy communion into the
palms of the receivers who will put it in their mouths while
the rite of peace in the liturgy is now optional during holy
masses.
Meanwhile the Parish Administrator, Blessed Iwene Tansi
Independent Station, Iba Pope, Awada, Rev. Fr. Paul
Nwosu speaking on the Ebola virus disease said the spread
of the killer disease is a manifestation of signs of end time,
according to Daily Sun.
He, however, advised Nigerians to insure their lives by
living righteously.
This is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Accordingly, it is difficult to figure out when to end it. But then, this is dummy text. It is not meant to be read. Period.
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon