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THE OUTBREAK OF CORONAVIRUS
AND THE DIOCESAN RESPONSE.

The Diocese of Aba Ngwa North having observed the outbreak and the spread of Coronavirus in the world, and in Nigeria in particular, called a meeting of her Board on Friday, 27th March, 2020, at All Saints' Cathedral, Abayi Umuocham. The Board, as chaired by the Bishop, His Lordship, The Rt. Rev. Nathan C.O. Kanu Ph.D; JP and attended by the Chancellor, the President of the Diocesan Women Ministry, Registrar, Diocesan legal adviser, the Archdeacons, and representatives from the various Archdeaconries, Mission Areas, Arms and Ministries of the Diocese, resolved and released the following statements as the Diocesan Response to this Pandemic.

• The issue of the outbreak and spread of Coronavirus with its confirmed cases in Nigeria is no feeble, joke or a scam. It is real. The virus is deadly and at the moment has no known cure. So, believing otherwise in the guise of faith is misleading and dangerous to our existence as a community of faith. However we ask that we do not panic and not to raise our stress level unnecessarily. God is still on the throne.
• The Diocese aligns with the Abia State Government polices of social distance, hand washing, use of sanitizer, sit-at-home culture, avoiding gathering of above 50 persons, the use of Keke of not more 2 persons at the back, etc. She urges everybody to keep strictly to these and other guidelines that the government may put in place in the days ahead.
• The Diocese has put on hold all burials, weddings, crusades and other religious gatherings likely to attract a crowd of more than 50 persons.
• Every Church in the Diocese must provide functional hand washing materials at the various entrances of the Church Sanctuary, and any other meeting place and must insist that worshippers wash their hands, clean them with serviette, and apply sanitizer as provided by the Church, before they enter into the Sanctuary or meeting place. This takes effect immediately.
• Parish Priests are to arrange their Sunday services in sections, using all the available buildings and spaces in the Church premises in order to avoid a crowd of more than 50 persons. More so, the sitting arrangement should reflect the social distance policy.
• Hand shaking should be omitted during the Peace at the Holy Eucharist.
• Practice this traditional discipline of less talk at public gatherings. If you can, drink hot water/hot tea with lime or lemon. Eat healthy food and engage in other exercises and healthy therapeutic measures to boost immunity. Avoid alcoholic intake and sugary foods. Do not practice self-medication for any reason. Consult medical experts when you observe any of the known symptoms.
• Do not depend on Social Media or treading rumors .They can be misleading. Pay attention to Information and news whose sources are authentic and reliable.
• Above all, do not over exaggerate this outbreak. This may cause heart break. Do not be dismayed. Do not lose your faith in God. Rather, believe in the efficacy of prayer and in the omnipotence of God in handling this matter. We shall not die, but live to see the end of this pandemic and glorify our Father and God to whom all glory, honor and adoration belong through our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Note:  This publication must be read out to every Church Station in the Diocese beginning from Sunday the 29th March 2020 till the Bishop directs otherwise.

STAY SAFE. THE DIOCESE WANTS YOU TO BE ALIVE. GOD LOVES YOU.

 

VEN. PRECIOUS OKEREKE.

Diocesan Information and Communication Officer