Ebola Virus: Catholic Church Suspends Mouth Communion, Handshake

 

In a bid to avert the spread of Ebola virus, the Catholic and Anglican Church have halted some practice which includes hand to mouth communion and the ‘sign of peace’ where the congregation shake hands during communion.

With the increasing fear of the spread of Ebola across Nigeria, the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja on Sunday announced new procedures for worshippers at Masses to check likely spread of the Ebola virus.

The new procedures which include the administration of the Holy Communion on the palm of the faithful as against placing it on the tongue of the recipient, was announced by Rev. Fr. Moses Jimbili, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Nyanya.

Jimbili told parishioners at the church that the measure was a directive by the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Eminence, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, as check on the spread of Ebola disease.

Onaiyekan’s directive is contained in a statement issued by the Director of Social Communications in the archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumunku.

“Due to the prevailing national situation on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), I am directing that the following pastoral guidelines should be observed throughout our Archdiocese till further notice.

“The sign of peace should be omitted at Mass, Communion in the hand is highly recommended and should be encouraged (unless for those who insist on receiving on the tongue),” the statement quoted the Cardinal as saying.

Jimbili said: “You know some people sweat a lot and since one of the ways the virus can be transmitted is through sweating, it will be better to stop handshake so that one does not contract it.’’

The Primate of the Church Of Nigeria Anglican Communion the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh has also suspended shaking of hands during the exchange of the peace.

He also suspended the age long mouth method of administering communion.

He said this is aimed at preventing the spread of the disease through physical contact.

The Archbishop of Lagos Adewale Martins released a statement yesterday saying that while the handshakes have been suspended, Catholic priests should continue the traditional hand to mouth method of given Holy Communion for now, but asked the priest to make sure their hands don’t touch the tongues of the recipient.

He also said Holy Water bowls usually placed at the entrance of churches should be discontinued to contain the spread of the virus.

The Director of Social Communication in the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Pius Ukor shedding light on the new arrangement said under priests will now place holy communion into the palms of the receivers who will put it in their mouths while the rite of peace in the liturgy is now optional during holy masses.

Meanwhile the Parish Administrator, Blessed Iwene Tansi Independent Station, Iba Pope, Awada, Rev. Fr. Paul Nwosu speaking on the Ebola virus disease said the spread of the killer disease is a manifestation of signs of end time, according to Daily Sun.

He, however, advised Nigerians to insure their lives by living righteously.