N'Djamena, 23 June, 2020 / 8:00 pm (ACI Africa).
The people of God in Chad will have to wait for a little while before they can take part in public Mass as Bishops in the Central African nation are engaging relevant stakeholders in consultation and in prayer before they can announce “a realistic date.”
“We bishops have decided to consult, reflect and pray together before deciding on a realistic date for the resumption of Eucharistic celebrations and to give clear guidelines that can help both our Christian communities in cities and towns,” the members of the Episcopal Conference of Chad (CET) have said in a press release issued Tuesday, June 23.
They add in reference to their aim to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections, “As pastors, our major concern is to do everything possible to ensure that our Eucharistic celebrations do not become a source of massive contamination for the faithful and therefore for those with whom we live.”
“We well understand the impatience of many faithful who would like to start the community celebrations again soon, but we call on you to be patient,” the Prelates urge in their statement signed by CET Chairman, Archbishop Goetbé Edmond Djitangar.
In a televised address to the nation June 17, Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno eased the restrictions imposed on religious activities directing that public worship could resume as from June 25, the worshipers and their leaders strictly respecting safety measures such as wearing face masks, sanitizing, physical distancing, among other precautionary measures.
