Exercise Strict Compliance to Guidelines, Bishops Urge as Churches Re-open

By Njoki Githinji

NAIROBI, JULY 16, 2020 (CISA)-The Kenya Conference of Catholic bishop (KCCB) has called upon faithful to strictly adhere to the guidelines for worship as places of worship re-open.

“As we start the phased reopening of places of worship, we call upon all the faithful to exercise strict compliance to all the guidelines provided and encourage others to do so,” Archbishop Philip Anyolo, Chairman of KCCB said on June 12 after presiding over Mass at the Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi.

“In a special way each one of us should be more conscious of the high risk of Covid-19 infections to the elderly, the children and those with underlying conditions in families. These members of our society need to be safe guarded and protected from contracting Covid-19,” he said.

“In addition to the vulnerable members of our society, we should also not forget that there are still many people whose means of livelihood have adversely been affected by the pandemic. Therefore we call upon all of us to continue living the values of compassion and generosity by feeding the hungry, taking care of the sick, clothing the naked and giving water to the thirsty,” he added.

He also urged government to partner with relevant bodies to ensure those in need of psychosocial support have been catered for.

“We equally appeal to the government to partner with religious and professional institutions across the country in order to enhance psychosocial services to individual and families who need it…It is also a personal responsibility to ensure that other people are safe from contracting Covid-19 by training and constantly reminding them to strictly adhere to all the health containment measures,” he said.

On July 6, President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the ban on cessation of intercounty movement but retained other restrictions meant to curb Covid-19 spread. The prelate therefore noted that for the country to go back to full normal operations, citizens need to take personal and social responsibility.