COVID-19: Anglican church bans vigils, palm Sunday processions, others

By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Awka

The Archbishop, Province of Niger and Bishop, Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Most Revd. Dr. Alexander Ibezim, has placed a ban on vigils, palm Sunday processions and other religious activities in the Church.

Ibezim, who disclosed this in a press release, said the decision was inline with the state government directives and World Health Organisation (WHO) preventive measures to corona virus currently ravaging the world.

He, however, announced that the Church would continue to pray for the scourge to go, while maintaining high health standards and clean environments, provision of hand washing facilities and educating and enforce strict compliance.

"We will Maintain approved spacing standards of 5-6 feet's. All Church activities in the Diocese that usually attract large crowds have been suspended until further notice. These includes: Elshaddai Monthly programme, Palm Sunday Processions, Diocesan Lenten Prayer Convention, Collation of Archdeacons and Installation of Canons, vigils, weddings, burials, and other forms of celebrations.

“The Diocese had earlier banned the celebration of peace which includes shaking of hands, hugging, e.t.c. Vicars and Parish Priests are encouraged to maintain office hours with prayers said at intervals of 9am, 12noon, 3pm and 6pm. The prayers can be organized for the Vicar's family, with that of there Curates, Church Teachers/Catechists and neighbours.

“The operative hours of our offices in the Diocese has been limited to 9am to 12noon until further notice. These include the Diocesan Central Office, Deanery/Archdeaconries, Parishes, Churches and Institution's offices. All officiating Ministers are advised to be snappy in the activities, not lasting more than one hour for each function," he added.

Wise move