Apply Government Directives “scrupulously”: DR Congo Bishops Urge, to Contain COVID-19

He also “postpone(d) travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for all passengers residing in countries at risk until further notice.”

Further, the Congolese leader directed that all persons departing from the country’s capital, Kinshasa to the other parts of the country be systematically subjected “to control measures in order to prevent the spread of this pandemic to the rest of our country.”

He went on to prohibit “all gatherings, meetings, celebrations, of more than 20 people in public places outside the family home.”

Schools, activities in stadiums, entertainment joints and all public worship have also been temporarily suspended in DRC, the President directed.

“All cases that test positive throughout the country will be treated at the Government's expense,” DRC’s President said during the Wednesday National Address.

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In this regard, the Catholic Prelates in DRC congratulate the Head of State “for the wise decisions he has taken at this time.”

“We also commend the measures taken by the Government to engage in the fight against this virus, whose threat also seriously weighs on our country,” the CENCO Bishops add in their collective statement signed by their President, Archbishop Marcel Utembi Tapa of Kisangani.

Addressing Church personnel, the Bishops have urged “all the Parish Priests, all the Administrators and Managers of Church structures: hospitals and Health Centres, etc., to implement collective and individual protective measures to avoid any occasion of transmission of this disease to one another.”

“The instruction of the Head of State on worship remains in force in our Churches,” the Catholic Church leaders have stated, reiterating the temporary suspension of public celebration of Mass.

“Priests and Consecrated Persons may celebrate in private in order to continue to pray especially for the end of this pandemic,” the Bishops’ collective message reads and clarifies, “The fact of not having Masses in parishes does not exempt Christians from prayer, which remains an effective weapon to face this difficult time.”

For seminaries and religious houses, the Bishops recommend that “community gatherings and exercises keep strictly a family character and be limited to members of the community only.”

The Bishops have underscored, “Each of us (has to) be the guardian of our neighbour and be actively involved in the fight against this pandemic by raising awareness of the need to respect the response measures.”

“It is important that each of us participate at our own level in the response to this pandemic,” the Bishops further say, urging “the Congolese people to realize that Coronavirus is a disease just as dangerous as Ebola.”

“In the face of the gloomy situation that prevails in the world today and which also affects our country, the DR Congo, we, Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops members of CENCO, share the sadness and concerns that animate so many people's minds. Indeed, the Coronavirus pandemic disempowers us and questions us about what we should do,” the Congolese Bishops have noted.

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They conclude, “Our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Congo, let us continue to raise our prayers to Him so that He may protect our country and all humanity from this scourge.”

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.