Communion on Tongue, Handshake Suspended in Nigeria’s Lagos Archdiocese Over COVID-19

Holy Communion, the Nigerian news media has quoted Archbishop Martins as saying, “for the time being, shall be received on the palms.”

“Communion in the hand was adopted during the Ebola crisis. It was nationwide, though some ignored it,” a source in Nigeria’s Port Harcourt city told ACI Africa Sunday, March 1 and added, “People seen not to bother much about the Corona virus compared to Ebola! They're going about their normal business. The talk is mostly on WhatsApp platforms where stories are flying around from all parts of the world.”

“With the first case of the virus recently confirmed in Nigeria, we hope and pray that the government does everything to ensure that the virus is contained and kept from spreading,” Archbishop Martins stated in his circular that focuses on the deadly virus that was first detected in China’s Wuhan city and spread in dozens of countries across the globe.

The case in Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous city with some 20 million inhabitants, detected Friday, February 28 is the first in sub-Saharan Africa, with the World Health Organization warning against the “fatal mistake” of complacency since the outbreak of COVID-19 virus seems to be “getting bigger” and that “most, if not, all countries” across the world could be reached.

In the wider African continent, other cases of the virus had been reported in Algeria and Egypt.

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According to The New York Times’ “Coronavirus Live Updates” Sunday, March 1, “The number of confirmed cases worldwide had reached nearly 87,000 as of Sunday, with more than 7,000 cases outside mainland China, where the outbreak began late last year. The virus has now been detected in at least 60 countries.”

According to local media, the Archbishop of Lagos also announced the temporary suspension of sprinkling of holy water as well as “the use of Holy Water fonts in churches and public places.”

“People are encouraged to have Hand Sanitizers handy to be used as and when needed,” the Nigerian Prelate has been quoted as advising.  

“It is important that information about the virus and its risk of spreading should be brought to the attention of everyone,” the Archbishop states in his Saturday circular.

In the four-page circular letter, Archbishop Martins highlights a series of “preventive measures as published by Channels TV,” among them, “regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.”

He explains, “Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.”

The Catholic Church leader also advices the clergy, religious and laity in his jurisdiction to “maintain social distancing of at least 1 metre (3 feet)” and explains, “When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.”

Archbishop Martins goes on to caution against touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth because “hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.”

“Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately,” the Archbishop advices.

He further directs, “If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.”

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The Nigerian Prelate encourages regular disposition to news channels with information about the virus stating, “Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow the advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.”

He explains in his Saturday letter, “National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.”

“May the Lord deliver us from this plague and all evils,” the Archbishop implored in conclusion.

A couple of Prelates in East Africa have, in separate statements and contexts, expressed their concerns about the virus, with a Ugandan Bishop calling on the government to take measures that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus months before the annual pilgrimage to the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugongo and a Kenyan Archbishop asking medical doctors to be on the alert and the country’s health ministry to be prepared just in case the virus gets detected in the East African country.

Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla is ACI Africa’s founding Editor-in-Chief. He was formed in the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans), and later incardinated in Rumbek Diocese, South Sudan. He has a PhD in Media Studies from Daystar University in Kenya, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Communication from Marist College, New York, USA.