NIGERIA: Archbishop Asks Government to Allow Worship on Feast of the Pentecost

ABUJA, MAY 19, 2020 (CISA)-Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja has called on the government to allow opening of places of worship ahead of the May 31 feast of Pentecost.

“With every sense of responsibility therefore we request that by the 31st of May, that is the feast of Pentecost, our people should be allowed to congregate for worship, but according to the norms of social distancing and the strict adherence of personal hygiene,” he said.

Speaking on May 17 in Abuja, the archbishop observed that religious leaders can use places of worship to sensitize and educate people concerning the various implications of the disease.

“We believe that religious leaders can make the most prudent use of places of worship and therefore assist government in enlightening people on the social consequences of Covid-19.It is therefore recommended that worship centres be kept open but in compliance with government and health directives,” he noted.

The prelate also noted that prayer both individual and personal remained the best weapon against the yet to be fully understood Coronavirus disease.

“…since the world doesn’t even know sufficiently its origin, nature and mode of operation, if science, medicine and government cannot do it, let prayer do it,” he said.