Kenya Orders Closure of Places of Worship over COVID-19, Tanzania for Public Worship

“Our Churches will remain open; they are not closing. They will be the focal point of prayer, where you will find solace and strength from God,” read part of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (KCCB) statement.

Adhering to the Bishops’ directive, Catholics congregated in various Churches across the country on Sunday, March 22, a move that received a backlash from netizens through an online debate that trended under the hashtag #IgnorantKenyans.

@IAcekid tweeted, “Church goers’ where will you run to after contracting the virus? You are giving our medics hard time!#IgnorantKenyans.” 

@CharleeOddie1 noted, “Dear churches, In the holy book even Joseph was warned by God that Herod wanted to kill Jesus and he fled to Egypt. Trusting your God does not mean you should not take precautions. #IgnorantKenyans

During the March 22 briefing by the government, Kenya’s Interior Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho tasked administrative officers with the responsibility of ensuring that no religious gatherings take place in their respective jurisdictions saying, “Ensure all churches, mosques and temples are closed. If any are found open within your area, you will be held personally responsible.”

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However, Catholics in the country have reacted against the government's reference to the Church as the “weakest link” in the fight against the global pandemic.

Archbishop Martin Kivuva of Mombasa said it was unfair to label the Church as a possible contributor to the crisis, saying it had always played a critical role in providing healthcare to Kenyans, the Daily Nation reported.

In a Facebook post, Fr. Casmir Odundo slammed two national dailies for carrying banner headlines referring to the Church as “agent of death” and “the weak link (in fight against COVID-19)” saying, “Contrary to the media coverage, the Church has been a strong link, agent of life and partner in the face of this epidemic and other major catastrophes in the nation and in the world.”

Referencing the March 21 National Prayer Day, the Director of Radio Umoja in Kenya’s Nakuru Diocese noted, “President Uhuru Kenyatta called on the Church to lead the country on a National Day of Prayer thus recognizing the unique role the Church has to play in this crisis.”

However, in neighboring Tanzania where 12 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, President John Magufuli announced that the government would not close places of worship saying, “These Holy places are where God is. My fellow Tanzanians, let us not be afraid of going to praise Him.”

The Tanzanian President added, “Corona cannot survive in the body of Christ, it will burn. That is exactly why I did not panic while taking the Holy Communion.”

Ghana became the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to suspend the public celebration of the Holy Eucharist, a decision taken by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) on March 16.

In Uganda, where one COVID-19 case has been confirmed, a Catholic priest was among several religious leaders arrested on Sunday, March 22 for defying a Wednesday, March 18 presidential directive against holding religious gatherings.

In the Southern Africa nation of Zimbabwe, the death of the 30-year-old broadcaster, Zororo Makamba after contracting COVID-19 has affected Zimbabweans who are now keen on social distancing, as Churches remained deserted on Sunday, March 22, BBC has reported.