COVID-19: Anglican  Bishop  suspends use of common cup for Holy Communion

ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Ahead of tomorrow’s church service, Archbishop, Province on the Niger, Anglican Communion and Bishop of  Awka Anglican diocese, Most Reverend Chibuzor Alexander Ibezim has suspended the use of common cups for Holy Communion in order to take better measures against the spread of CONVID -19 pandemic. 

Archbishop Ibezim however commended   Governor Willie Obiano led Anambra state government for his effort to halt the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic through public health advisory which he said the Church is adhering to.

He said the diocese would reduce its public activities in line with the state government’s directive, but when unavoidable to hold a public function like ordination service , the Church would minimize the activities associated thereto, and deploy all public health known procedures to safeguard peoples health.  

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He also called on Anambra state government to ensure that a quarantine centre is ready and conducive for any case of emergency situation of coronavirus.  Ibezim informed  that the Church would ensure members and guests wash their hands, with soap and water as well as use hand sanitizers. 

He  also suspended hand shakings, hugging and all other forms of contact salutation in the church for now and  appealed to the congregation not to shake hands during the sign of the peace.  The Archbishop  said all missionary schools in the diocese shall adhere to all health advisory by the WHO and other health organizations. 

He   further said that the decision to ban flights from 13 countries in including  China, US and UK was long over due ,but now it has been announced, he commended the decision because Nigeria’s culture and tradition will make the COVID-19 pandemic a serious problem if it is unleashed into Nigeria.

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“The best option is to ban flights from countries with high records of the virus since preventive measures is better than fighting the pandemic. Let the visa ban be effected completely until four weeks as announced by  Federal government. Let no one sabbotage the efforts of the FG to contain the virus spread. The land boarder should also be shut since an American who came in through the boarder has been tested positive of the virus” he said

Ibezim advised the FG to announce a total ban on foreign trips to all the countries of the world and not only to hard hit countries ,until the scourge is contained. He warned against playing politics with the CONVID-19 virus lamenting that after the closure of land boarders against importation of food items , the FG opened floodgates for Coronavirus into the country by allowing all manner of people enter the country unchecked. 

The Awka Anglican Bishop called on Christians to be fervent in prayer as there is nothing God cannot do. 

Meanwhile, the President, Mother’s Union, Women’s and Girls’ Guild, Province on the Niger , Anglican Communion, Mrs Chioma Martha Ibezim has asked mothers to see the Coronavirus pandemic as a wake up call to take personal hygiene seriously.

Mrs Ibezim encouraged mothers to stay healthy and happy always to safeguard their families out of numerous viruses plaguing the country like Lassa fever which has claimed over 161 people in Nigeria according to Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu DG of NCDC. She further raised the alarm that with 3,735 suspected cases of Lassa fever, and a total of 906 confirmed cases , families are endangered and women should brace up to the challenge to avert unnecessary death.

“I commend women for standing against acute malnutrition by engaging in all forms of jobs to ensure their families eat” she said.
 She urged them to monitor their children to ensure no signs of the various ailments plaguing the nation affects them.