Ebola: Catholic diocese gives condition for accepting corpses in churches

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Corpses are no longer freely welcome in Catholic Churches in the Makurdi Diocese, at least until the Ebola scare is over.
The Diocese said yesterday in the Benue State capital that members should, for now, produce death certificates confirming that their departed ones did not die of Ebola for funeral services to be held for them.
The measure is to check the spread of deadly Ebola virus.
The Director of Communications in the diocese, Moses Iorapuu, said in a statement yesterday on behalf of the Bishop of the diocese, Athanissius Usu, that in addition, parishioners will henceforth be served the Eucharistic feast on their hands as against the practice of putting it on their tongue by the priest.
Besides, 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.
According to the statement, the measures, which are in accordance with Federal Government’s directive on ways of preventing the spread of Ebola virus, are aimed at safeguarding the health of members.
“We hope that with these preventive pastoral and standard procedures and with prayers and steadfastness in responsible behaviours, the Lord will keep this virus away from us.
“We also encourage personal hygiene, washing of hands regularly, clean environment and eating habits.
“We urge you not to ignore government’s advice and other official statements on how to prevent the outbreak of Ebola virus.”

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