Bishops ban traditional Catholic handshakes amid fears of coronavirus pandemic
Catholic bishops in the country have forthwith banned the traditional handshakes in church and told those counting Sunday money collections to wear face masks amid fears of coronavirus disease attack.
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) chairperson Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa has announced 23 strong measures aimed at preventing the coronavirus disease which has already attacked South Africa.
Catholics shake each other hands as they wish each other peace during mass.
Msusa also encouraged Catholics to wash their hands before entering the Churches or other places of worship as a measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“There should be no sign of peace during Mass such as handshake, hug or any bodily contact.
Catholic faithful should line up when receiving Holy Communion not kneeling in order to ensure proper distance between them,” reads the statement in part.
The statement further ordered ministers to thoroughly wash their hands with sanitizers before and after distribution of the eucharist.
The statement also tells those involved in the counting of money to put on face masks.
The church has told worshippers to avoid squeezing each other in pews.
Corona Virus Disease, officially referred to as Covid-19 is an outbreak that has since spread to at least 114 countries across the globe.
It was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. The virus has since killed over 4, 600 people, with infections exceeding 126 000 cases.
On Wednesday this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak as a pandemic. However, Malawi has yet to register a case of the virus.
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Meanwhile our politicians are busy politicking. It’s high time these people who all claim to have the ” interest of the people” at heart to for once set their differences aside and look at the common problem here. The church has began. Let others follow.
What are the other big religious groupings: CCAP, Moslems, 7th day, etc doing? Of course the disease is not yet here but I can assure you before the end of this month it will be wrenching havock in this poor country with nonexistent healthy facilitates. People need to get used to “no handshakes” and preferably being 1 metre apart. Some people have started practising “no handshakes” but are being rediculed in this heavily conservative traditional country. I plead with all churches to tell their congregation tomorrow Sunday that “no handshakes” Govt must also tell teachers to tell students take home… Read more »
In addition please let people take their prayers outside the church.
In many countries public gatherings have been banned. Here we are taking it very lightly. Developed countries don’t even have adequate Oxygen equipment and we are here prioritizing politics. Guys let’s be serious. Coronavirus knows no political party, race or age. Let’s be objective, at least for the defenseless population. Zikomo
Gone Islamic way now.wash hands before entering church/mosque. Bravo.
This is good news!
That’s great news
Bravo our Bishops, was waiting for this!
Nyasatimes, please outline all the 23 mesures here. Otherwise, I want to know if the priests will still feed us by mouth the eucharist. I would have loved if the Bishops mention that each Christian should receive the eucharist through the palm and feed himself or herself. Nyasatimes, if this is not in the 23 23 measures, please send this message to our bishops ASAP. This is a serious measure. We hope you know the procedure to get this to our bishops. Thanks
Bwanji sananene kuti asiye kuvala corona
Where is God in all this? He is watching his children suffering from Corona Virus.