Senegal’s Archdiocese of Dakar Modifies Schedule for Burials Amid COVID-19

According to the spokesman of the Ministry of Health and social action, Alyose Waly Diouf, “The 20 new cases included five imported ones and 14 close contacts of earlier confirmed patients. The other one was a community transmission case.”

Twenty-eight patients have been declared cured by local health authorities.

Referencing the message of the Bishops of Senegal in a letter dated March 17, which outlined directives for the organization of funerals, the Parish Priest of the Sacred Parish Dakar said, “In the event of a funeral, we ask everyone to limit themselves only to the absolution, at the Cemetery, in the presence of the restricted family.”

COGECIC chaplain recommends that families comply with the Bishops' decision and also respect the hygiene and prevention measures taken by the public authorities.

“We appeal to the sense of responsibility at the family level to avoid large gatherings at cemeteries,” Fr. Gning stated in the communique and continued, “It is true that we are in Africa, but today we cannot do as we did before. The final farewell ceremony must remain in strict family privacy.”

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“It is also important to ensure that the recommended distances in public transport vehicles are respected when transferring the deceased to the cemetery,” emphasized COGECIC Chaplain.

Created in March 2004, COGECIC brings together representatives from all parishes in the Archdiocese of Dakar.

The body seeks to ensure the safety and respect of the graves, cleanliness and management of the sites, in close collaboration with the municipality of Dakar.

Christian cemeteries, like all other cemeteries, are placed under the responsibility of the municipalities on whose territory they are located. COGECIC, under the authority of the Archbishop of Dakar, supports them and ensures the proper management of Christian cemeteries while respecting the prerogatives of the municipalities.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.