CAN INSISTS ON CHURCH SHUTDOWN TO SAVE ENUGU STATE FROM COVID-19

The Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Enugu State has directed all its member churches to shut down public worship and other related church activities.

The Vice Chairman of CAN in the State, the Very Reverend Father Benjamin Eze, who gave the directive in an interview with Radio Nigeria said the shutdown was part of the Association’s effort to assist government to contain the deadly Coronavirus pandemic.

Other prominent church leaders in the State also lend support to the suspension of church services.

In a bid to contain COVID-19 from spreading, the Enugu State Government took many measures, including shouting down economic, academic, social and religious activities.

However, some churches continued to hold public services contrary to the stay-at-home order and the social distancing directive that bans gathering of up to fifty persons.

Following meetings and discussions with the Enugu State Government and in consultation with its members, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says it will cooperate fully with the government to prevent the spread of the virus.

CAN Vice Chairman, Enugu State, the Very Rev. Fr. Benjamin Eze, says “every church should have a little patience because it is a temporary measure so they can curb the situation as fast as possible.

“People in countries like Italy didn’t take the warning and government’s directive seriously and that’s why they are badly hit. So is that what we want in Nigeria?”

Also, the Chairman, Christian Council of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter and Methodist Archbishop of Enugu Archdiocese, the Most Reverend Christopher Nweke Ede, urges the Christian community to take government’s measures seriously, noting that the virus is real and devastating.

“It is decimating countries and nations of the world, including even countries that are very advanced medically.

“The time of this shutdown of schools, government establishments and churches will soon end if we cooperate and send COVID away.”

The General Overseer, Rock Family Church, Bishop Obi Onubuogu urged the church to comply with the stay-at-home order, pointing out that even the holy bible commands Christians to obey the government and constituted authorities as contained in Romans 13:1-7.

Bishop Onubuogu encourages Christians to continue their prayers at homes, explaining that the church is not a physical structure but individuals who form the body of Christ.

In a similar light, the State Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and State Superintendent, Grace of God Mission, Bishop Godwin Madu, expresses sadness that the virus occurred during the Lenten and Easter period but insists that the church must continue at the family level.

He says the shutdown is not a witch hunt as no church denomination or religion is targeted.

“Make it a time to build a family altar. By Sunday being Easter let family gather in their individual homes pray, sing and remind themselves about resurrection,” Bishop Madu admonishes.

For the Chairman, Youth Wing of CAN in the South East, the Rev. Oluchukwu Onuigwe, the government should find ways of addressing poor people who are faced with hunger while complying with the stay-at-home order.

The Rev. Onuigwe further enjoins spirited individuals and churches to use this period of great Christian lesson of alms giving and good neighbourliness to assist poorer people, who have no money to cope with the prevailing shutdown.

In the meantime, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Enugu State has remained two since the outbreak of the pandemic.

CHUKWUBUIKE MADU