Nigeria- Catholic diocese of Makurdi- ebola preventive measures

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.today.ng/news/ebola-catholic-diocese-of-makurdi-bars-corpses-in-churches/

EBOLA: Catholic diocese of Makurdi bars corpses in churches By News Agency on August 16, 2014@todayngr

The Catholic diocese of Makurdi has barred its members from bringing corpses of departed relatives to churches for funeral mass as part of the measures of checking the spread of deadly Ebola virus. The diocese directed that corpses of deceased members should be given immediate burial. It, however, said that it would allow corpses to be brought to churches in the area only when death certificates issued by relevant medical authorities were produced...

...parishioners will henceforth be served the eucharistic feast on their hands as against the practice of putting it on their tongue by the priest. Also, it said, the exchange of the sign of peace, involving handshakes has been replaced with other suitable gestures to avoid the possibilities of contacting the Ebola virus. The diocese advised priests, who conduct pastoral visitation to hospitals to be cautious, and seek doctor?s permission before touching sick people with undisclosed illnesses. It also announced the prohibition of group prayer sessions that involved touching and praying over unknown sicknesses...

 

[Thornton]

Re: Nigeria- Catholic diocese of Makurdi- ebola preventive measures

From the Catholic Bishop's Conference of Nigeria

http://www.cbcn-ng.org/newsdetail.php?tab=384

In the circular titled: The Outbreak of Ebola Virus: A Pastoral Approach, the Archdiocese announced among other measures the suspension of the sign of peace during the celebration of Mass until further notice. It also encouraged priests and administrators of institutions to ?exercise pastoral initiative, discretion and great caution in the dissemination of information in order to ensure that the people are duly informed without escalating the already panicky situation.?

Other areas where measures were taken to prevent the spread of the disease through contact include: sick call attendance by priests, particularly when they have to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing; counting of offerings and collections; distribution of Holy Communion with advise to avoid touching the tongues of the recipients and use of the Holy Water Fonts which were ordered to be discontinued. Priests were also urged to sensitize the people and encourage them to observe personal hygiene by frequently washing their hands and keeping their environment clean.

While calling for prayers for the victims of the disease and their families, Archbishop Martins concluded: ?Let us bear in mind that we live in a fragile world that is increasingly susceptible to devastating epidemics. While we seek human solutions, let us not fail to raise our eyes to heaven from where comes our ultimate help. More than ever, let us turn to God with prayers, supplications and pleas