Ebola: Catholic diocese bars corpses in churches

The Catholic diocese of Makurdi, Benue, has barred the faithful from
taking corpses of late relations to churches for funeral Mass as a
measure to check the spread of 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 the
churches in the area only when death certificates issued by relevant
medical authorities were produced.

This is contained in a statement by the Director of Communications in
the diocese, Rev. Fr. Moses Iorapuu, in Makurdi on Saturday.

The statement, which was issued on behalf of Bishop of the diocese,
Very Rev. Athanissius Usu, also announced changes in two aspects of
activities during mass, including the mode of administering the Holy
Communion.

According to the statement, 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.

According to the statement, the measures, which are in accordance with
Federal Government's directive on ways to prevent 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," it stated.