Coronavirus:CAN Faults Ban On Religious Activities As Adeboye Amends Worship Schedule For Members

LAGOS MARCH 19^TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Lagos state chapter has stated the level of coronavirus infection in the nation does not yet warrant ban on religious gathering and activities.

It however said religious organisation, especially churches and mosques, must take proactive measures to safeguard members from infection.

It also urged governments to stop at nothing to secure the borders and contain the pandemic in the nation.

Chairman Lagos CAN, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, told reporters on Wednesday that Nigeria must do everything to win the war against the virus.

He said: “The Federal Government must further secure our borders. Many nations are doing this very seriously now. We must also act now as a nation.

 “Our nation cannot afford to welcome or accommodate coronavirus in our land. God forbid it in Jesus name. “

On suggestions that religious gatherings should be banned like in some European nations, Bamgbola said: “We have not got to that point and we believe we won’t get there.

“We are watching the situation very closely to know what we must do. God has kept it away from us because we cannot contain the pandemic here.

“We believe we will never get to the point of having to ban all services and churches will be grounded.”

He called on churches to observe precautions and safety measures so that worshippers are not exposed to the virus.

On the gas explosion at Abule Ado on Sunday, Bamgbola sympathised with victims and affected.

He asked churches and good-spirited Christians to support the N2b Disaster Relief Fund initiated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“We strongly appeal to all the ministries and churches in Lagos state to contribute generously to this fund. No contribution will be too small.

 “We encourage you to please send your cash contributions directly to the acoounts of the fund as indicated by our dear Governor.

“We have absolute confidence in our dearly beloved Governor that the funds will be judiciously utilised under his able watch.”

While calling for probe of the incident, Lagos CAN said this will inspire more confidence among residents and visitors to Lagos.

As part of the precautionary steps towards managing the further spread of the Coronavirus disease, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG has issued a new guideline for Sunday worship in the affected two states.

A memo titled: “Slight alteration in the mode of service for parishes in Lagos and Ogun states” from the Assistant General Overseer (Admin & Personnel) Pastor Johnson Folorunsho Odesola and addressed to pastors-in-charge of regions and provinces in Lagos dated March 18, 2020 outlined the changes.

“In line with this directive from the government, the mission authority has instructed as follows:
1. Parishes that have an average of attendance of 50 members or less can hold their services without any alteration or changes.
2. Parishes that have average attendance above 50 members are directed to make use of their House Fellowship centres to run simultaneous services with the main church.
3. Parishes that have the facility to run more than one service can also do so, under the strict directive that worshippers won’t exceed 50 people per service.
4. One supervising minister and an usher could be seconded to each Centre for collation of necessary reports (attendance, New converts, New comers, etc)
5. All centers are requested to connect to Dove Television to join the live broadcast from the General Overseer during the period.

Continuing, Pastor Odesola informed the senior pastors that the arrangement will remain in operation for the next few weeks, based on the position of the Government.

“You are therefore requested to convey the assurances of the continued prayer of the General Overseer to members, while also encouraging them not to panic in the face of ongoing crisis because God promised us victory over every battle at the start of this year,” the AGO in charge of Administration, maintained.

Earlier on Wednesday, our correspondent confirmed that an annual Power Conference Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), First Born Family (FBF) scheduled for Sunday to hold its 32nd anniversary Power Conference tagged: ‘Emerge” at the Tafawa Balewa Square with the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, ministering became the first casualty of the governmental ban.

The head of the First Born Family and the pastor-in-charge of Region 19 of the church, Pastor Brown Oyitso said due to the prevailing circumstances in the country especially with the scourge of Coronavirus diseases the programmer has been put on hold and appealed to Nigerians for understand that the RCCG is a law-abiding church organization that will not flout the laws of the land.

“While we pray to God, the ultimate healer of diseases to lift this scourge as He did in 2014 with a similar situation and dealt a deadly blow on ebola, to do same now, we are duty-bound to adhere strictly to directives.

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