Thé Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama (left) and the Director of Social Communications of the Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Tor Patrick Alumuku, addressing journalists in Abuja, during the non-congregetion) mass to mark the Palm Sunday. PHOTO: MALACHY UZENDU
*Says God will rescue humanity
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has advised Nigerians to abide by government guidelines regarding the Corona Virus pandemic.
The Archbishop spoke during a private Palm Sunday (non-congregation) mass at Our Lady of Nigeria Catholic Pro-Cathedral, Abuja.
The Archbishop, who had a few priests and the religious in attendance, allayed fears being expressed about the pandemic, assuring that God would rescue humanity from the scourge.
He called on Nigerians irrespective of their religious beliefs to respect the rules put out by government towards fighting the pandemic.
According to Kaigama, “respect to constituted authorities in itself carrying out God’s injunctions.
He advised Catholics to stick to prescribed social distance, always sanitise and wash their hands and abide by other advisory as may from time to time be released by the government.
He said: Some Catholics kicked against government’s instructions that we should stay at home and I told them we have to obey constituted authorities. If we don’t we are not obeying God’s injunctions.
“We should keep ourselves busy with prayer, excercise and reading books that will promote our relationships with God and avoid indulging in things that will make them break the law”.
He reminded Catholics the lessons of the Palm Sunday and advised them to always look up to God, especially in trying moments “as God has the solution to every problem and ailment”.
He stated that although several Catholics missed the practical celebration of the liturgy, they had missed nothing in terms of the blessings that accrue with the ecclesiastical blessings by the Pope, Bishops and priests all over the world.
He enjoined people against indulging in panic, but to change their negative attitudes and pursue progress to humanity and their personal well-being in accordance with God’s injunctions.
The Archbishop said the masses to be said by himslef and other priests the world over during the Holy Week and Easter until the sit-at-home order is lifted would take care of the spiritual needs of the faithful in accordance with the injunctions of the Pope during this trying moments.
