Malawi COVID-19: Bishops
issue pastoral guidelines
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| Africa Coronavirus alert (AFP) |
As the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) continues to spread
around the world and more countries in Africa are confirming positive cases,
the Catholic Bishops of Malawi have issued pastoral guidelines for liturgical
celebrations in an effort to help prevent the spread of the virus among
Christians.
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA –Nairobi, Kenya
“In the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in
many parts of the world, the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) enacts the
following precautionary measures with regard to the celebration of the Holy
Mass, other liturgical services and as general guidelines. These are only
temporary measures until the situation stabilises,” reads in part the statement
signed by ECM President, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of the Archdiocese of
Blantyre.
Priests need to preach hope
In the first place, the Bishops emphasise that “Priests
should give the Catholic faithful messages of hope. Messages on coronavirus
must not create panic and despair.” They add, the “Catholic faithful should be
encouraged to wash their hands before entering Churches or other places of
worship. Similarly, Holy water fonts should be drained. Instead, Holy water
should be kept at the Sacristy where the faithful can collect (it) for their
individual use,” reads another preventive measure.
Avoid overcrowding the pews
The Bishops urge parish priests to ensure that there is no
overcrowding in the in pews. They also discourage the sign of peace in the form
of form of a handshake, hug or any other bodily contact during Mass.
No communion on the tongue
Concerning receiving the body of Christ, the “Catholic
faithful should line-up when receiving Holy Communion not kneeling in order to
ensure proper distance between them” and “reception of the Eucharist should be
done in the hand not on the tongue.” Besides, where concelebrations take place,
priests should receive Holy Communion by Intinction.
The Bishops also recommend that ministers should thoroughly
wash hands before and after distribution of the Eucharist. Other measures
include care with offertory gifts and the handling of money.
Health Awareness
The Catholic Bishops in Malawi further explain that,
“Experts in the medical field should be invited to give talks in Churches and
schools on coronavirus. Efforts should be made to have a technical team of
doctors that will analyse the situation and give updates and advice,” the
Bishops said.
Seek guidance before inviting partners
“Commissions working with foreign nationals coming from
destinations where cases of Coronavirus have been identified should first seek
guidance and information from Catholic Secretariat or any relevant Government
authorities before inviting them into the country.”
Caution on Second hand clothing
The Bishops also caution about second hand clothes coming
from abroad saying, “The same applies to material donations such as second hand
clothes – kaunjika coming from abroad.”
Open-air Masses to avoid crowding
The use of the Public Address systems so that the Catholic
faithful can follow Mass from outside the Church in order to avoid congestion
in the Church was another of the measures outlined by the Church leaders.
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