The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has suspended public mass attendance by faithful to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Martins, announced this in a statement on Sunday.
He said the suspension was due to the restriction on social gatherings imposed by the state government.
“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, with a heavy heart I have to address another circular within two days to you regarding the COVID-19 and the situation in Lagos State,” the statement read.
“We had been able to ascertain that the restriction of people to gather together for worship was for not more than fifty.
“We have heard today that the number has been reviewed downwards to not more than twenty by the state government.
“With deep regrets, we are constrained to direct that mass with the faithful in attendance is to be suspended,” he said.
The cleric urged the faithful to see the situation like a “war with an invisible deadly enemy with weapons that are very dangerous to human life.”
“Meanwhile we urge you to spend the Sundays as a holy day. You may make an altar with a crucifix and possibly candle light,” he said.
The archbishop advised the faithful to read the readings for the day, share the word of God with one another, pray the rosary and the ‘Prayer for an End to the Coronavirus Pandemic.'”
He said: “We should take this as a sacrifice that we must make and ask God to accept it as our prayers for his intervention.
“In the days to come, we shall reflect more on the situation and discern what more we must do.”
The archbishop prayed for God’s healing power on the country, courage and hope to take precautions on the spread of the ravaging pandemic of COVID-19.
