Church in Ghana to Skip Palm Sunday Procession in New COVID-19 Directive

On Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, the Apostolic Administrator will celebrate Mass with a congregation of not more than five people. The Mass, he said, would be streamed live by the Sektadi Catholic TV on YouTube and Facebook.

The Prelate said that Priests would also celebrate Holy Mass in their various Parishes, restricting attendances to not more than five people.

He said that on this important day, palm branches will be blessed in various parishes and outstations but processions will be omitted.

Archbishop Kwofie who shepherds the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra stated that “our people need to experience the closeness of the Church to them even if congregating for Holy Masses or other Religious events and meetings are not permitted in these challenging times. As Pastors, we will sustain their faith through prayer and breaking of the Word.”

He urged the Priests to adhere to the governments directives on the fight against the spread of COVID-19 saying, “Let us co-operate in helping the implementation of these measures; they are for our good. As leaders of the community of faith, our people look up to us for direction.”

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The Prelate further cautioned against flouting the government's directives of hygiene, saying that the country lacked sufficient health facilities to tackle infections and relied solely on taking necessary precautions.

“We are aware that our country lacks sufficient and well-equipped health facilities to handle the situation should it go beyond tolerable levels,’ he said, adding, “We must therefore invest more in taking precautions and implementing preventive measures.”

In a similar Pastoral Letter to the faithful, Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr of the Wa Diocese, stated that Easter being “the heart of the entire liturgical year and is not simply on Feast among others” had to be celebrated, whatever the circumstances and that it would not be transferred to another time.

“All priests in parishes and institutions may offer Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper in a simple place without the public washing of feet which is already optional should be omitted,” the Bishop directed.

The Letter further instructed that “the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose at the end of the Mass should also be omitted and the Blessed Sacrament should remain in the Tabernacle.”

According to the Bishop, Good Friday Service of the Passion of Christ may be celebrated in the Cathedral Parish Church with Priests of the Cathedral Parish. The celebration will also be marked in Parishes without members of the public.

“Universally, prayers should include an intention for the sick, the dead and those who feel lost and dismayed,” Bishop Baawobr said.

In another letter seen by ACI Africa, the Divine Word Missionary Bishop of Ho, Emmanuel Kofi Fianu said that Mass on Palm Sunday will be presided over by the Bishop at 7:00GMT and that it will be streamed live on various communication channels.