Benue CAN Recommends Suspension of Church Activities, Weddings
Abide by Fayemi’s congregation restriction order, says Ekiti CAN
Victor Ogunje George Okoh
The Benue State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has recommended the suspension of all church and wedding activities in the state as a proactive measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Ekiti State chapter of the association has directed his members across its 17 jurisdictional centres of in state to comply with the restriction of number of congregation to 20.
In a message issued by the Benue State Chairman of CAN, Rev. Akpen Leva, yesterday in
Makurdi, the association appealed to churches to comply with the recommendation to curtail the spread of the pandemic.
Leva said the recommended suspension would take effect from April 1 and enjoined all churches to cooperate.
In a message titled: ‘The Reality of COVID-19:Acall for strict compliance’, the association appealed to proprietors ofmission-basedschoolstoalsoadhere to the directive for the closure of schools by the state government.
It said: “It has become very pertinent for me to address you today concerning the reality of COVID-19 pandemic which has brought the world to unavoidable panic.
“The rate, at which it is spreading, therefore, calls for real collaboration and unity of purpose to ensure we curtail further spread among our people.
“In this regard, we urge all church leaders, clergymen and the Christian community in Benue State to duly observe the following adjustments we have made regarding our Christian activities.
“Considering the importance of the week-long fasting and prayer session organised by CAN in conjunction with the state government, which is to round off on March 29, 2020, we wish to say that with effect from April 1, 2020, we will encourage churches to enforce smaller units of congregational worships of not more than 50 people.
“We also recommend the suspension of Sunday services and Mass for the next two weeks to monitor the situation.
Christians are encouraged to continue with home devotions, crusades, conventions, revivals, vigils as well as refresher courses.