In a 4-page pastoral letter to the lay faithful in Ghana, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, the Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie has assured the lay faithful that they can count on him, the Priests and the Religious to always offer prayers for them in these trying moments.
Most Rev. Kwofie acknowledged the dire effect the COVID-19 is having on socio-economic life and religious activities and also leading to the collapse of businesses in some countries.
“The Church cares for you. Your Archbishop, Priests and Religious remain united with you and are close to you in this time of panic on account of the Coronavirus. We are very much concerned about you and your health. You are at the centre of our daily prayers and Holy Masses” the Archbishop comforted the laity.
He cautioned that “the voice of the devil may tell us to put aside caution by submitting ourselves to unnecessary danger, hence can make people of faith succumb to the temptation of the devil by putting God to test.”
“Anytime we throw caution to the wind believing that the Lord will take of us, we are putting God to the test, he added, saying that “I encourage you to meticulously follow the social distancing precaution and prescriptions on person hygiene not only for your sake but for the sake of your neighbour, whilst we remain persistent in prayer “the Prelate admonished.”
The Pastoral Letter further stated that by strictly adhering to the guidelines of not more than five (5) participants, Mass for the people, ‘Missa pro polulo’, will be celebrated every day.
Following the directive of the President, the ban on religious gatherings and church services is fully set in motion, the Archbishop said the doors of the various Parishes will remain open for private prayers and Eucharistic adoration, all the while observing social distancing.
He opined that the times were strange and out of the norm, and that “we would not be able to do what we normally would.”
He, however, encouraged the lay faithful that they “are not alone in these scary times and that Christ and the Church are full with them so there is no need for fear and panic to overcome them.”
“We shall be sustained by our faith in Jesus who tells us that I am with you till the end of time “(Mt28;20) he referenced.
He invited the lay faithful to participate in the Wednesday Masses at 6:30 am, 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm and Sunday Masses at 8:30 am which will be aired on Crystal TV and also streamed live on Facebook and other social media platforms by Radio Angelus.
“On your part, I encourage you to strengthen the life of the’ Domestic Church’ in the family. Remember the adage, ‘the family that prays together stays together.’
As movements are restricted, families have more time to share more time quality time through prayer to strengthen the bond of unity and love. God uses difficult moments to manifest Himself and is certainly using this time to strengthen family life.”
As he addressed families and their contributing roles to the growth of the Church, he reminded the people of the Church of their commitment towards prayer in this Lenten Season which is even more crucial in this time of crisis.
The Most Rev. Kwofie pledged that the Church all over the world would offer prayers of faith to God as a weapon against the COVID-19, saying that “God through our prayers will heal our land”.
He encouraged the church to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 pm, to do the devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and to pray the Angelus prayer in the morning, at noon and in the evening.
He told the church to remember to pray the Holy Rosary. “Don’t forget to pray your Rosary to call on the maternal intercession of our Mother Mary in these difficult times,” the Accra Archbishop said.
He additionally echoed that it was quite unfortunate that in these times of Coronavirus where we should be concerned for one another, some people have used the opportunity to exploit others and warned the Church to bear in mind the essence of the Lenten season which offers an opportunity to return to the Lord.
“Life is getting more difficult. The prices of good and services are soaring people who take advantage of the suffering brothers and sisters lack mercy,” he said.
The Lenten observance calls us to also fast and give alms as sincere signs of repentance. Isaiah warns us that we cannot sincerely fast when we continue to exploit our neighbour…” he further added.
A sincere fast, on the other hand, according to him is to break down any system that enslaves and oppresses. It is to ensure that the hungry person is fed, the homeless are housed and the naked are clothed.
He stressed on the need for social distancing at public places, and proper personal hygiene like regular handwashing with soap as the cases of the COVID-19 steadily rise in the country.
Source: Lebene Agozah // Newswatchgh.com
