Catholic Church in Rivers State on Friday rejected the lockdown ease announced by the state government to enable Christians celebrate Easter.
This was contained in a letter addressed to all priests signed by Camillus Etokudoh, the Bishop of Port-Harcourt Diocese.
Recall that Governor Nyesom Wike had relaxed the lockdown order in the state on Thursday, in a statement by his spokesman, Simeon Nwakaudu.
He had explained that the ease was to enable Christians to observe their religious obligations during Easter. Wike’s directive also permits the Muslim community to observe their Jumat prayers within the period.
But in his memo entitled “Pastoral update following Governor’s broadcast”, Bishop Etokudoh thanked Governor Wike for his consideration and urged members to adhere to the directives for the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus, which includes social distancing and personal hygiene .
The letter reads: “With prayerful meditation on the Holy Week, I sincerely thank you our priests and lay faithful for adhering so far to our Diocesan directives/guidelines for the celebration of the Holy Week.
“We deeply appreciate the State-wide broadcast of the Governor of Rivers State, yesterday, on Holy Thursday, April 9, 2020 during which he temporarily relaxed the restrictions on large religious gatherings for Moslems on Friday April 10, 2020, for their prayers and for Christians on Sunday April 12, 2020 to have their full congregation for Easter celebrations.
“However, in the face of the threats of COVID-19 and having prayerfully considered the implications of the Risks to our expected crowded congregation on normal Easter Sunday celebrations, we hereby request you our priests and lay faithful to continue to keep to the CBCN and our Diocesan Pastoral directives/guidelines for the celebrations of Holy Week including Easter Sunday till further notice.”
Bishop Etokudoh prayed to the Lord to hear the cries of Nigerians, give everyone Easter blessings and heal the world of COVID-19.
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