Bishops in Senegal’s Dakar Ecclesiastical Province Extend Suspension of Public Mass

They leave requests of a pastoral nature such as baptism, marriage, and funeral to the discretion of Priests who they stress “must, in a spirit of dialogue with the lay faithful and of pastoral communion, ensure that everything is done in the spirit of compliance with barrier measures, with a small number of faithful, so as not to encourage the spread of the disease.”

 “What matters is people's lives and health, which must not be endangered,” the Bishops say in their August 8 statement.

They remind the faithful that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, ceremonies such as Priestly Ordinations and Religious Professions “can only be done within a restricted framework and in compliance with the sanitary measures required by the situation, with the permanent concern to protect human life.”

On the occasion of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated August 15, the Bishops urge the Christians “to avoid the usual trips and gatherings, and to invoke, with fervor, the maternal protection of Mary for our families, our country, and the whole world.”

Senegal’s President, Macky Sall declared a state of emergency and curfew on March 21 as a means to curb the spread of the pandemic.

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The restrictions were lifted at the end of June, and reintroduced on Saturday, August 8 due to a “pronounced rise” in COVID-19 infections.

Announcing the reintroduction of restrictions with “immediate effect,” Senegalese Minister of the Interior, Aly Ngouye Ndiaye noted that since the lifting of the state of emergency and curfew, there had been a “certain laxity” amongst the members of the public in observing COVID-19 barrier measures.

Among the measures reintroduced include "a ban on gatherings at beaches, sports grounds, public spaces and theatres" as well as "prohibition of all demonstrations on the public highway, especially in the Dakar region."

“Dear Faithful to Christ, in communion with you, we address our prayers trusting to the God of all mercy and all protection. Assured of the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Deliverance, Queen of All Saints, we submit this request to her, in communion with Pope Francis:” the Bishops say in the statement.

“O Mary, Comforter of the afflicted, embrace all your children in tribulation and get God to intervene with his almighty hand to free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can resume its normal course in serenity,” they pray.

The Bishops continue, “We entrust ourselves to You, you who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, O Merciful, O Merciful, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen."