Ebola: Catholic Diocese of Makurdi Bars Corpses in Churches

Makurdi (NAN) – The Catholic diocese of
Makurdi, Benue, has barred the faithful from
taking corpses of late relations to churches for
funeral Mass as a measure to check the
spread of Ebola virus.
The diocese directed that corpses of deceased
members should be given immediate burial.
It, however, said that it would allow corpses to
be brought to the churches in the area only
when death certificates issued by relevant
medical authorities were produced.
This is contained in a statement by the
Director of Communications in the diocese,
Rev. Fr. Moses Iorapuu, in Makurdi on
Saturday.
The statement, which was issued on behalf of
Bishop of the diocese, Rev. Athanissius Usu,
also announced changes in two aspects of
activities during mass, including the mode of
administering the Holy Communion.
According to the statement, parishioners will
henceforth be served the eucharistic feast on
their hands as against the practice of putting
it on their tongue by the priest.
Also, it said, the exchange of the sign of
peace, involving handshakes has been
replaced with other suitable gestures to avoid
the possibilities of contacting the Ebola virus.
The diocese advised priests, who conduct
pastoral visitation to hospitals to be cautious
and seek doctor’s permission before touching
sick people with undisclosed illnesses.
It also announced the prohibition of group
prayer sessions that involved touching and
praying over unknown sicknesses.
According to the statement, the measures,
which are in accordance with Federal
Government’s directive on ways to prevent the
spread of Ebola virus, are aimed at
safeguarding the health of members.
“We hope that with these preventive pastoral
and standard procedures and with prayers and
steadfastness in responsible behaviours, the
Lord will keep this virus away from us.
“We also encourage personal hygiene, washing
of hands regularly, clean environment and
eating habits.
“We urge you not to ignore government’s
advice and other official statements on how to
prevent the outbreak of Ebola virus,” it stated