The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has completely suspended Public Mass in Lagos for the next four weeks, contrary to its earlier directive of a staggered Public Mass of not more than 50 persons.
This is in response to the new directive by the Lagos State Government restricting public gathering in social and worship places to a maximum of 20 persons away from the earlier 50 persons allowed.
The new directive by the Lagos State Government is in response to the growing new cases of COVID-19 which has reached 22.
The Archbishop of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins in a circular said “With deep regrets we are constrained to direct that Mass with the faithful in attendance is to be suspended for the next four weeks”.
However, he explained that Mass was not suspended for priests as they would continue to offer Mass for the people and the whole world. “What has been suspended is Mass with the faithful in attendance”, he added.
The Archbishop therefore urged members to spend the Sunday as a holy day, advising them “to make an altar with a crucifix and possibly candle light, if you do not have one already, 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”. Do take time to tune to Lumen Christi Television Network on DSTV Channel 350 and EWTN, DSTV Channel 348 so that you may follow the Mass and them make an Act of Spiritual Communion.”
He further said members should see “this situation in the light of the fact that we are fighting a war, a war with an invisible deadly enemy with weapons that are very dangerous to human life. We know that God is able to deal with it for us just as he fought for the People of Israel. That is why we had thought we could still gather as a Community of Faith within the ambit of the government directives, to pray to God pleading the Blood of Christ as we celebrate Mass”.