Lome, 23 October, 2020 / 10:11 pm (ACI Africa).
Members of the Episcopal Conference of Togo (CET) have called on the government of the West African nation to authorize the resumption of public worship in the country amid COVID-19 precautionary measures.
In the Friday, October 23 report, the Bishops are quoted saying that it is “appropriate that all churches and other places of worship be opened to the faithful, in accordance with the COVID-19 preventive measures.”
The members of CET want the government to lift the ban public worship gatherings because “we must now live with COVID-19 for a while and there is a progressive resumption of activities in all sectors of social life, including schools, services, markets, hotels and restaurants.”
In the October 23 statement issued following the Bishops’ 125th Plenary Session that is signed by the Secretary General of CET, Fr. Emile Segbedji, CET members express the hope that the Togolese government will take into account their concerns.
In July, after religious leaders and the Togolese government held a consultative meeting and agreed on an “experimental reopening of places of worship,” select churches, mosques and other places of worship in the country were allowed to reopen for public services.
