MALAWI: Clerics Encouraged to Offer Pastoral Services During Lockdown
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Against the back drop of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Malawi which according to report by Thursday, April 16, had 16 confirmed cases and two deaths, Catholic Bishops in Malawi have issued new directives after the government declares 21-day lockdown to help stem the spread of Coronavirus and encouraged the priests to continue offering pastoral services amidst the lockdown.
The new directives provided on Thursday, April 16, after President Peter Mutharika announced the lockdown to be effective as from the midnight of April 18 until May 9, follow the precautionary measures issued by the Bishops on Friday, March 13.
“Priests should offer their pastoral ministry using the innovations available in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as well as offer sacramental services in line with the guidelines issued by the Holy See in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Bishops said in their collective statement.
They clarified further, “In the event that they are called upon to anoint the sick who are in danger of death, they must seek medical advice from competent health professionals and ensure that they protect themselves and others by using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as certified clothing, face masks and gloves.”
In the statement the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) reminded the priests to celebrate daily Masses in their parishes or community Chapel so as to pray for people’s intentions. Besides, “Every initiative undertaken in parishes by parish priests during this period of the lockdown should be done in consultation with the Local Ordinary.”
Since schools have been closed to avoid mass gatherings which is a measure taken to curb the spread of the virus, Church leaders have specified in their statement that “Major seminarians, as much as possible, should be assigned to different parishes and not their homes, where they will stay waiting for the re-opening of school.”
Concerning how Christians should pray during the lockdown period, the Bishops have asked them to do daily prayers at homes and “On Sundays, the approved Order of Prayers where there is no Mass found in the liturgical book entitled Chitsime or the Missal should be used. Additionally, Christians should follow the Eucharistic celebration broadcast by Catholic media houses at designated times.
“Catholic media houses, working in close collaboration with the Pastoral Commission, must not only disseminate information about Coronavirus but must also prepare some pastoral resources to be aired through radio, television and social media platforms,” the bishops added.
Since lockdown requires that people are enclosed within their homesteads, the Church leaders have proposed, “All Arch/diocesan offices will be closed,” and “any urgent matters should be referred to those responsible through telephone or any other electronic means.” Meanwhile, “Parish and Institutions should make every effort to find ways to support themselves.”
According to the Prelates, “the directives are subject to minor modifications by Local Ordinaries to suit specific needs and local situations.”
The Church leaders have asked the Clergy, religious and laity to “pray without ceasing” adding that they should unite in prayer “even when we are practically not able to meet as a liturgical assembly in our lay organizations, Small Christian Communities (SCCs), Out-Station and/ or Parishes.”
