Coronavirus Hits The Heart of Christendom

By Charles Igbo

Even in Worship places, the fear of Coronavirus has become the real beginning of wisdom.

For Christendom, the disease could not have come at a more inappropriate time.

It came at the period of the Lenten season, Christendom’s holiest period; the very root of Christian belief.

And, it has so affected it that some; otherwise, compulsory religious obligations are being suspended.

For instance, in Lagos, the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, His Grace, Alfred Adewale Martins, has either cut down, and/or amended a couple of religious obligations.

They include the non-shaking of hands during the sign of Peace, the number of times to congregate for Mass, the mode of receiving the Holy Communion, and the usage of the Holy Water in the font of the Church.

During the Holy Communion, for instance, Roman Catholics take only the Wafer Bread, which signifies the body of Christ. The Priest drops a piece each in their mouths. They don’t give them the wine which signifies the blood of Christ, except when a couple is wedding. The couple is given that privilege. Only the Priests take the wine at every Communion service.

This is unlike what happens in the Protestant Churches – Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Zion – where Communicants take both the Bread and Wine.

Now, thanks to this deadly virus, Martins says no longer will the Bread be put in anybody’s mouth, it is now in the palms.

In a release issued on February, the 28th, based on the presence of the disease in Lagos, no thanks to an Italian, who flew in from Milan, Italy, the Archbishop noted:

“In the light of this present circumstance, we hereby instruct as follows, till further notice:

*The shaking of hands during the time for the Sign of Peace during Mass is suspended for the time being.

* During this season of Lent, in order to reduce the number of gatherings in Church to the barest necessary, we encourage people to do Stations of the Cross privately on Wednesdays while public celebrations will take place only Fridays especially as it is often followed by Mass.

*Communion, for the time being, shall be received on the palms

*People are encouraged to have Hand Sanitizers handy to be used as and when needed.

*The use of Holy Water fonts in Churches and public places should be suspended till further notice.

May the Lord deliver us from this plague and all evils.”

Perhaps, other Dioceses could follow.