Coronavirus: Religious bodies comply with 4 weeks social gathering ban
Various religious bodies in Ghana have asked their members to comply with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's directive of banning social gathering in the next four weeks as part of measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.
Graphic Online's Augustina Tawiah reports that the Methodist Church Ghana has suspended all church services for the next four weeks.
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It has additionally, closed down all educational institutions of the church until further notice.
A statement signed and issued in Accra Monday [March 16, 2020] by the Presiding Bishop, Most Rev Dr Paul K. Boafo, said the suspension of church services and closure of educational institutions follows the President's directive on the update of the COVID-19.
“The issue of the novel Coronavirus which has become a global plague is most worrying. We believe in the power of God to end this epidemic,” the statement said.
The statement encouraged all the country’s health institutions to improve their services to Ghanaians in this trouble times while they safeguard their own safety.
The church said it is their prayer that the COVID-19 pandemic would increase faith in God.
Catholic Bishops
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) on its part has also suspended all public Masses for the next four weeks.
It has directed the suspension of all public spiritual programmes such as retreats, devotions, meetings, confessions, pilgrimages among other outdoor church activities for the next four weeks
In addition, all Catholic Schools be closed until further notice while all funerals and weddings should also be suspended for the next four weeks.
A statement issued in Accra and signed by its President, Most Rev Philip Naameh, also recommended that burials could be performed but with not more than 25 people in attendance.
God’s intervention
It also recommended that daily private Masses should be offered for God’s intervention with not more than five people in attendance.
It said Churches and adoration chapels be opened for private prayers by parishioners which also require the observance of the required distance of two meters while prayers were said in silence.
“That where possible, live streaming of Masses should be encouraged to enable the faithful receive spiritual Communion,” it added.
It exhorted “all Catholics and people of faith to intensify individual and family prayers and encourage all to read the daily Mass readings and reflections provided on several social media platforms.”
The statement urged all Ghanaians to keep observing the basic precautionary measures that would help minimise the spread of the virus as well as protect oneself from being infected with Covid-19.
