A number of religious leaders have made comments in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Some have shown disregard thereby suggesting the same response to their followers. On the other hand, some have followed the general advice about social distancing and made open statements to the effect
Social distancing is a recommended action taken to minimise the spread of a contagious disease. It reduces social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of disease. Maintaining social distancing requires at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
The Living Faith Church
A major Nigerian pentecostal preacher, David Oyedepo has vowed to continue holding Sunday service for thousand of his followers, spurning worldwide medical advisory against physical contact at a time of blazing coronavirus
David Oyedepo brushed aside the potential hazards of his decision to defy government restrictions on social gatherings across Nigeria, saying some members would rather look up to Sunday service as the only viable means of treatment against COVID-19, a strain of coronavirus that has killed more than 15,000 people and left tens of thousands bedridden across the world.
“Shutting down churches would be like shutting down hospitals… there are many, many places that would never have any medical solution but in church.” Mr Oyedepo said during March 22 Sunday service that streamed live.
Mr Oyedepo held the service at the headquarters of his Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel) on the outskirts of Lagos on the morning of Sunday, 22nd March 2020, the same day that Nigeria’s coronavirus infections jumped to 30 and health experts were raising alarm about the importance of social distancing.
The Commonwealth Zion Assembly (COZA)
On Saturday, 21st March 2020, The Commonwealth Zion Assembly (COZA) led by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo announced that Sunday service would hold and would follow the guidelines given by the FCT administration.
“Hello family, we are geared up to excitedly receive you tomorrow 22nd of March by 7:30 am at our #CentrePointCampus, Evelyn Event Centre, Gwarinpa. Worshippers can be assured of our unwavering commitment to a clean and conducive environment for service,” the church had said.
But after public outcry and heavy criticism from the public on social media, The Commonwealth Zion Assembly (COZA) later cancelled its Sunday service. The church sent a cancellation message to its members, advising them to worship at home via its online service.
Redeemed Christian Church of God
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, on Sunday said the current outbreak of COVID-19 across the world will soon subside but will not be ‘completely eradicated’.
Pastor Adeboye, who addressed his congregation across the globe via a live broadcast on Sunday, also said God had revealed to him earlier in the year that the world would experience a ‘compulsory holiday’, hence his earlier call to church members to undertake a 50-day fast in January.
The Redeemed Church, like many others across the nation, has stopped physical services and resorted to online services in line with the directives of many governments to halt mass gathering. The directives were given as a means of curbing the coronavirus which has so far infected about 26 persons in Nigeria and killed thousands across the globe.
Earlier, The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) made an announcement to alter services in its parishes in Lagos and Ogun State in compliance with the government’s directive to curb coronavirus. RCCG’s assistant general overseer, Folorunsho Odesola, said in an internal memo that the church is amending its worship schedules as a precautionary step towards managing the spread of coronavirus. “Parishes that have an average attendance of above 50 members are directed to make use of their House Fellowship Centres to run simultaneous service with the main church,” Odesola said.
Christ Apostolic Church
The Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) worldwide has issued a statement regarding their church services across Nigeria. This directive is in line with Coronavirus restrictions placed by the Government.
The management of CAC said that Christ Apostolic Church, CAC churches and ministers in Lagos and Ogun state are ordered to abide by the restriction placed by the states to curtail the spread of Coronavirus by limiting the gathering of people from fifty (50) upwards.
Speaking on the new development, CAC churches with more than fifty congregations are asked to split the service into two, three or more sessions until the restriction is banned.
The Catholic Church
Even though there is no uniformity in the responses of the catholic dioceses across the country, we have been able to extract a few responses emanating from different dioceses. For instance, The Catholic Church in Lagos has suspended some practices in the church during mass like handshakes and use of holy water fonts indefinitely over the spread of coronavirus.
In a statement, Alfred Martins, Catholic archbishop of Lagos, said the decision to indefinitely suspend some of the church practices is “in the light of this present circumstance.”
He announced that stations of the cross which is usually done in public will now be done privately to reduce the number of gatherings in churches. The archbishop encouraged church members to have handy sanitisers, adding that communion will now be received on the palm.
“The shaking of hands during the time for the Sign of Peace during Mass is suspended for the time being,” he said. “During this season of Lent, in order to reduce the number of gatherings in Church to the barest necessary, we encourage people to do Stations of the Cross privately on Wednesdays while public celebrations will take place only Fridays especially as it is often followed by Mass.
At St. Peter’s Catholic Chaplaincy located at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the reception of the Holy Communion directly in the mouth has not been suspended, but parishioners who wish to receive it on their palms would be obliged by the officiating priest.
Catholic Diocese of Ondo has also suspended religious gatherings in the diocese. Based on the Second Circular released by the Catholic Bishop of Ondo on the pandemic virus COVID-19, the Cathedraticum Celebrations scheduled for Owo and Akoko Zones are hereby suspended. Holy Masses will be celebrated every day by priests without the congregation. Palm Sunday shall be celebrated only by priests.
Abuja National Mosque
As at Mar 19, 2020, A report from Daily Trust has it that Jumat service (Friday congregation prayer) would take place in the National Mosque, Abuja notwithstanding the fears of coronavirus spread. The Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NCSIA) disclosed this on Thursday night in Abuja. “This decision by NCSIA is coming despite the confirmation of nine cases of the coronavirus in parts of the country between Wednesday and Thursday. The Deputy Secretary-General of the council, Prof. Salisu Shehu, told newsmen at the NSCIA secretariat at the National Mosque Complex that other social activities would go on as scheduled but may be reviewed when necessary”. The report noted.
This decision by NCSIA is coming despite the confirmation of nine cases of the coronavirus in parts of the country between Wednesday and Thursday. The Deputy Secretary-General of the council, Prof. Salisu Shehu, told newsmen at the NSCIA secretariat at the National Mosque Complex that other social activities would go on as scheduled but may be reviewed when necessary.
“We would not force those that have already decided to suspend Jumat prayers, but at the level of the National Mosque, that measure would not be taken because we are still observing the progression of the situation.
“So as far as Jumat service is concerned tomorrow (Friday), it is going to take place here and based on the situation, other social gatherings should also continue. “We have spoken that people should observe, if there is evidence of the emergence of the infection in several figures, then such measures of stopping social gatherings should be applied,” Shehu said.
Tribune Newspaper reported that the management of Abuja National Mosque today shut down the mosque with the suspension of five daily congregational and Jum’ah prayers, gatherings and other activities in the mosque and its environment.
The decision to suspend regular and Jum’ah prayers and other activities by the management, according to a press release signed by the management, was as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, which toll hits 36 as of today with the country recording its first death today.
The release added that the open space market and restaurant attached to the mosque are also closed.
The Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT)
The Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) has suspended all gatherings involving more than fifty persons due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
In a statement on Thursday after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC), the group also said, with effect from March 19th, 2020, programs organised by the body will now hold online.
“With effect from 19th of March, the focus of the society will now be ONLY on Programs that can be done virtually (electronic/online) or with less than 50 persons,” the statement added. “ALL activities with the likelihood of attracting 50 or more people will be suspended until further notice.”
“All Jumuah service, tafsir session and Tahajudd programmes on Fridays at all our mosques/locations are hereby suspended immediately. “Asalatu service at all our branch/group locations is also suspended immediately.
“The society and its officials will not be involved in any other gathering, including training, conference, wedding, special prayers, birthday celebrations, funeral, etc, that would involve more than 50 persons until this pandemic is brought under control.
“With the quest not to leave our members in the spiritual and educational void, we will provide information in the coming days about virtual/online Asalatu sessions in locations with required infrastructure and for members that are able to join.”
Ansar-Ud-Deen Society
The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society, in its memo from its national secretariat, states that “the National Executive Council, the trustees and the National Council of Missioners, with heavy hearts and a deep sense of responsibility, hereby announce the suspension of all mosque activities, particularly weekly Asalatu, Jum’ah prayers and any gathering of up to 50 people.
“The suspension of activities shall take effect immediately until further notice.
“This decision was informed by the menacing spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and Fatwa by World Islamic bodies taking cognisance of the Islamic principles of ‘preservation of life’, ‘prevention of harm’, and ‘proactive response to impending danger’.
“The society shall abide by the government’s recommendations and update members and mosque users of any change in the suspension decision.
“We acknowledge that many of our members and mosque users might find this unprecedented decision very uncomfortable. We should, please, be reassured that this is for the good of the community and it is in compliance with the Islamic response to the epidemic pandemic.
“We encourage all to continue their regular prayers at home, observe personal hygiene and be consistent with their morning and evening Adhkar.”
The Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society
The Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society (AIS) has suspended all gatherings in its mosques across the country with effect from Monday, March 23, 2020.
The National Chief Imam of the society, Sheik Fuad Adeyemi, made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, the society took the decision as a proactive measure to ensure that those who gathered at the mosques did not become victims.
“The suspension would last for two weeks in the first instance and could be extended depending on improvements made in the battle against the deadly virus. The suspension would particularly affect the weekly Friday Jumat services and the Sunday prayer sessions,” Adeyemi said.
Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos, halaqaat (teaching sessions), Learning sessions in Ikorodu, Ajegunle, Orile, Mile Two, Alimosho, Agege, Mushin and other areas in the state were suspended by the clerics leading them.
Gradually, citizens and faith leaders are taking to social distancing and closing down worship centres as well as discouraging any gathering of people not more than 50 and this has prompted reactions from leaders of Faith-Based Organizations(FBO) across the country and even globally.
Nigerians are gradually reducing movements and mass gathering in response to the instruction of the government. A sweep through WhatsApp groups has also shown a number of warning messages from friends and families to ensure social distancing.
The leaders of FBOs are therefore raising the hopes of the people in the face of this global challenge but as well as taking preventive caution.