Implement safety measures first, church leaders told
CARDINAL Wilfred Napier, Catholic Archbishop of Durban, said President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that places of worship could be reopened came as a surprise to him.
He had asked to be included in discussions about the matter, but was not.
“We went to the premier in KwaZulu-Natal, who took our request to the National Coronavirus Command Council. But we were still not given feedback prior to the announcement,” Napier said.
He said churches needed time to prepare for reopening, to explain the risks to people and provide the guidelines needed to take the necessary precautions.
Napier said Catholic churches in Durban would not reopen until their leadership had been trained and all safety measures were put in place.
“Our main concern is for the safety of people and the risk of infection is higher at this stage.”
During a KZN Christian Council meeting on Monday, church leaders were told to ensure all safety regulations were implemented before reopening and if they employed the services of sanitisation companies, they had to make sure that they were certified.
Dr Paul Lutchman, a senior minister at Christian Revival Centre, the largest church in Chatsworth, welcomed Ramaphosa’s announcement.
He said he believed the church was an essential service.
Lutchman intended to have one mid-week service and on Sunday the centre would hold one-hour services from 7am to 11am.
The church would be sanitised immediately after each service.
He said the four services would accommodate worshippers and would be a test run for future gatherings.
Lutchman added he had ordered 10 thermal readers and 20 x 25-litre bottles of hand sanitiser.
“A team will be responsible for wiping down the property before and after services. After we reach our capacity of 50 people, the gates will be closed.”
He said worshippers would have to sign a register, wear masks and sit 2m apart.
“We are asking those over the age of 60 and who have a respiratory illness to consider staying at home. We will pray for you from afar.”
Services will continue to be streamed on social media for those who are unable to attend.
“My message throughout the lockdown has been one of hope and endurance and I will continue speaking on this.”
He said all religious bodies should be considered essential services.
“They play a pivotal role in the community. People’s lives have been spiritually affected during this time. People are struggling.
“We have seen a rise in domestic violence cases and I have been busy counselling couples who are finding it hard to cope.”
Asked if his congregation would be allowed to sing during the service, he said yes, but with face masks on.
“The heart of worship is to sing and even if we have to do one song, we will.”
Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, general secretary of the South African Council
of Churches, said on SAfm there should be no singing during church services.
He said people were likely to infect each other during this form of worship.
When it comes to communion, the sacramental partaking of bread and grape juice, Lutchman said wafers and juice would be individually packed for congregants to help themselves.
“Everything will be in individual throw-away containers which will be disposed of once the communion is completed.
“The same principle applies to the offering. No collections will be done. Rather, members will drop off their offering in the offering bag.
“There will also be no shaking of hands, even if it is to greet.
“We want to ensure no physical contact is made.”