Following the first case of coronavirus in Nigeria, the Catholic Church in Lagos has suspended handshakes and use of holy water fonts indefinitely.
The first case of the disease in Nigeria was announced on Friday after an Italian arrived Lagos from Milan on Monday carrying the virus.
Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Martins, in a statement on Saturday, said the decision to indefinitely suspend some of the church’s practices was “in the light of this present circumstance.”
The stations of the cross which is usually done in public, he said in the statement, would now be done privately to reduce the number of gatherings in churches.
The archbishop encouraged church members to have handy sanitisers, adding that communion will now be received on the palm.
“The shaking of hands during the time for the Sign of Peace during Mass is suspended for the time being,” he said.
“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,” the statement read.
“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.”
