COVID-19: How Celestial Church is handling ban on large gatherings
With the ban on large gathering of people in Lagos and Ogun States and increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Nigeria to 12 as at Thursday March 19, 2020, the Celestial Church of Church has also joined other churches in Nigeria to announce an altercation in its services at its parishes across the country.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus has spread to 168 countries and 209,839 cases have been confirmed as at Thursday March 19, 2020. While in Nigeria, four new cases were announced on Thursday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 12 and the Lagos State government has also announced that it is contact tracing 3000 people who may have had contact with the confirmed cases.
In a statement by the Pastor of CCC worldwide, Reverend Emmanuel Oshoffa, the church has directed its parishes in Nigeria and overseas to ensure strict compliance with government’s directive. In Lagos and Ogun where the church has thousands of parishes, as well as, its national and international headquarters in Ketu and Imeko (a border town between Nigeria and Benin Republic in Ogun state) respectively, gatherings of more than 50 people have been banned by the government.
Members of the Celestial church are known to walk barefooted whenever they are in their white garment which is their official worship robe at any of their services. To forestall spread of the virus through any of its services which attract large gathering of congregants, Oshoffa gave the following directives and also addressed members of the church in a live broadcast on the Church’s official Facebook page on Friday morning:
“Regular services, mid-week gatherings and night vigils that would attract 50 or more congregants are hereby suspended until further notice. Dipping of hands into the sanctified water before entering the church sanctuary is suspended till further notice,” Oshoffa said.
The church also suspended its ongoing anointment exercise (ordination of members to new ranks) at Imeko in Ogun State and said a new date would be announced later. Its annual washing of feet programme at KLM 53 Lagos-Ibadan expressway which is held in commemoration of the Easter celebration is also suspended.
The statement added:
“The church workers retreat scheduled to take place at the Celestial City, Imeko, Ogun State in the last week of March 2020 is hereby postponed. A new date would be announced later.
“Members are advised to uphold strict hygienic rules, ensure the regular use of sanitizers on their hands and avoid drinking from the same cup with others. Close contact with others in public places should also be avoided. Each parish should set up a maximum of 21-member prayer team comprising of all units in the parish during this period to pray for Nigeria, and the World at large regarding this Covid-19 Pandemic.”
