Christmas: Archbishop urges Christians to comply with Covid-19 protocols

Christians have been urged to ensure adequate compliance with all protocols and guidelines of Covid-19 pandemic as they celebrate Christmas. 

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama stated this in his Christmas message to Nigerians as the World battles the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

He urged Christians to emulate the life style of Jesus Christ by living in peace and harmony with non Christians.

The Archbishop expressed worries on Covid-19 pandemic and other preventable illnesses, wreaking havoc in 2020, thereby bringing the whole world to a standstill.

In his words; “Our beloved country Nigeria very badly needs to hear that Good News again in a year that will soon leave behind deep, ugly scars on the psyche of both citizens and the nation. In it, our country quickly transited from one major crisis to another, making 2020 a year never to be forgotten in a hurry. The Covid-19 pandemic which began the previous year, wreaked havoc in 2020, bringing the whole world to a standstill and bringing down nations to their knees, socially, politically and economically.

”What Christmas promises is universal peace, the lion and lamb lying down together; reconciliation, enemies forgiving each other; valleys of justice, love and peace filled up; food for all, every sheep carefully tended to; restfulness from our longing, everyone peacefully in loving company, healing from all wounds, and God himself drying every tear on earth.”

Archbishop Kaigama also called on Nigerian government to resolve all security challenges bedeviling the nation for socio economic development saying Christmas celebrations should be a lesson of love, faith and hope for the mankind.

Similarly, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Reverend Jonah Samson, explained the efforts of the Church in coping with the disruptions from Covid-19 pandemic.

He said; ”When you look at it, actually yes, the Covid-19 Pandemic makes religious activities so cumbersome because before now, we are used to worshiping with all freedom, gather crowd and stay together, shake and embrace one another as a sign of fellowship and also our coming together was more frequent because the bible says in Hebrews chapter 10:25, do no cease coming together, that is fellowshipping as others are in the habit of doing but rather we should encourage one another as we see the day fast approaching. Now when Covid-19 came, because of the protocols given to curb its spread, we have to readjust ourselves and let me give you an example, we have to segment our worship since it was a requirement, then it became cumbersome.”

As Nigerians join the rest of the world to celebrate the 2020 Yuletide amid Pandemic, Religious Leaders in Nigeria have urged their counterparts across the country to ensure that the second wave of Covid-19 is contained.

Monitoring team
Reverend Samson also said that the Church has set up a monitoring team to ensure full compliance to the Covid-19 Protocols.

He spoke on the need for peaceful co-existence during the celebration amongst Nigerians saying; “we must be our brothers keepers either of Christian faith, Muslim, or Traditional Religion. Whatever faith, be our brother’s keepers, this is how we stay together, co-exist with one another and when we do that, there will be harmony. The bible said we are peacemakers so I pray that this peace of God will permeate our heart and help us to enter into the 2021 with high expectation.”

Mercy Chukwudiebere