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Coronavirus: Churches, mosques shut as weddings put on hold

Thursday, March 19th, 2020 12:00 | By
Mohammed Salim (left) checks worshippers’ body temperatures at the Eldoret Jamia Mosque yesterday. Some mosques in Eldoret have been closed in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus. Photo/PD/James Gitaka

Anthony Mwangi and Alvin Mwangi

Key churches and mosques in the country have embarked on a raft of changes to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The changes include suspension of services in the houses of worship.

Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) and Christ is the Answer Ministries (Citam) yesterday announced indefinite suspension of their Sunday services, burials and weddings.

“Couples planning to get married before the end of July should see the local priest to have it either rescheduled to a later date or plan how it can go on with few people in attendance,” read a notice pinned on the doors of PCEA St Andrews Church, Nairobi.

Members of several churches were also cautioned against using prayer and hymn books, service sheets, and other materials. 

On funerals, most churches said pastors will offer consolation to bereaved families in addition to conducting funeral services within a set-up not exceeding 10 attendants.

Cardinal John Njue said though Sunday masses will take place, the Kenya Catholic Bishops Conference (KCBC) is scheduled to meet to announce drastic measures in view of the spread of the pandemic.

“Though masses remain in place, there are certain church events that we may have to suspend,” said Cardinal Njue.

But the chairman of KCBC, Archbishop Philip Anyolo, said the church had sent out a circular stipulating certain measures such as suspending Jumuia masses or services outside church for 30 days. 

“Priests have also been advised to give communion strictly in the hand and not on the tongue,” said Archbishop Anyolo, who heads the Kisumu Archdiocese.

The prelate said there will be no sign of peace by shaking hands in all masses. 

“There will be no holy water dishes at the doors and the sacrament of confession would  be administered outside where there is free movement of the air,” he added.

In Nairobi, the Jamia Mosque committee has temporarily suspended all including congregational prayers until further notice, following consultations with the Kenya Muslim Medical Professionals.

For the Anglican Church, Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit said the church will be conducting special broadcast services on Sundays at 8am and Wednesdays at 6pm.

“The services will be streamed live on the official Archbishop’s and ACK’s Facebook pages, including other church platforms,” read a statement from the church.

It added: “We ask that more efforts be put in place to ensure that those who are directly involved in essential services such as those in the medical, hospitality and security sectors are cushioned from the adverse effects of the pandemic.”

The ACK also announced that funerals and baptism could only go ahead if fewer than 10 people attended.

“All church services and gatherings for public worship should not take place. This includes regular Sunday services and weekday services, as well as occasional offices. Study groups and other parochial events that gather people together should also not take place.

The PCEA Moderator the Rev Julius Mwamba said wedding ceremonies should be made up of five people; the bride, the bridegroom, the best couple and the officiating minister.

The church directed that funeral services are attended only by the extended family, and that there should be no viewing of the body which normally happens at the mortuary to avoid people congregating.

Muslim ulamaa

The church also suspended all conventions, retreats, and seminars, while weddings should either be postponed or be organised according to the government Registrars of Marriages directive.

 “People should also avoid food being served in the funerals and sanitisers should be availed at all time,” advised the church.

The church has also called on its members to take care of the elderly especially those over the age of 70 and above and the young ones as they are more vulnerable to the pandemic.

Yesterday, the Secretary General of Jamia Mosque Committee Abdul Bary Hamid said they would continue monitoring the situation in respect of Covid-19 and advise the Muslim ummah accordingly.

“After a series of consultations with the Majilis Ulamaa (Council of Scholars) of Jamia Mosque and upon further consultation and advise from Kenya Muslim Medical Professionals (KAMMP), the Jumia Mosque Committee has with effect from today Wednesday March 18, 2020 temporarily and regrettably suspended the conduct of all congregational prayers at Jamia Mosque until further notice,” said Hamid.

At Citam, Presiding Bishop David Oginde announced that they had suspended Sunday and midweek services for the next three Sundays.

“Following the directive from His Excellency the President last Sunday, as a church we have decided to suspend all services and we are now encouraging our members and friends to join us online for virtual services,” said Oginde.

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