The Catholic diocese of Makurdi, Benue,
has
barred the faithful from taking corpses of
late relations to churches for funeral Mass
as a measure to check the spread of 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 the 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,
Rev. Fr. Moses Iorapuu, in Makurdi on
Saturday.
The statement, which was issued on
behalf
of Bishop of the diocese, Very Rev.
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 to prevent
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,” it
stated.SOURCE: www.punchng.com/news/
ebola-catholic-diocese-bars-corpses-in-
churches/

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