Bishop Ezeofor
By Sunny A. David
The Anglican Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Right Rev Samuel Ezeofor has said that it is wrong to shut down churches because of the coronavirus pandemic.
He stated this at Bishop’s Court, Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, while delivering his 2020 Easter message.
He said what should have been done in the situation would have been to ask the church to maintain social distancing during their activities; use sanitizer for worshippers as well as stop shaking of hands.
The Anambra State Government had banned any public gathering in the State exceeding 30 persons.
This was contained in a public service announcement by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba detailing measures on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
According to him, funerals/burials, weddings, titletaking and other social ceremonies were banned in the State if the attendees exceeded 30 persons at a time.
The directives read in part, “As the Coronavirus continues to ravage the World with increasing intensity through mostly person-to-person contact and infected surfaces, Anambra State Government, in recognition of its primary duty to protect the life of everyone in the State, issues the following directives: All public gatherings of up to 30 persons meeting at the same time are suspended from Monday, March 23, 2020.
“This affects social ceremonies, for example, parties, weddings, title taking, burials and funerals as well as meetings.”
But the Bishop who is one of the Senior Anglican bishop in the Niger Province, said the sanctity of the church should be protected.
Bishop Ezeofor stressed the need for sanctity of the church to be maintained as the only place where powers are received through prayers.
Said the Prelate: “The Church is the only place where powers are received through prayers, hence asking for its shutdown because of COVID-19 is not acceptable.
The Bishop of Aguata Diocese called for the prudent management of all the funds donated by individuals and groups in the ongoing fight against Coronavirus to ensure accountability.
The Bishop, who is also the National Chairman of the Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican Communion, EFAC, called on Nigerians to turn to God for solution to the myriads of problems facing the country.
He used the occasion of Easter to advise those occupying leadership positions to emulate the humility of Jesus Christ in saving mankind.
The Prelate maintained that without the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there would be no hope for Christians.
Bishop Ezeofor called on the faithful to use the period of Easter to build bridges of trust and good neighbourliness.
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