SEVERAL churches have issued notices to their congregants stating that they will not reopen just yet, despite President Edgar Lungu’s directive yesterday.
Noting the resistance, Minister of Religious Affairs Reverend Godfridah Sumaili has issued a statement via PF sponsored Facebook page, Smart Eagles, saying churches will receive further guidelines on how to protect their members by midday today.
Addressing the nation for the third time since COVID-19 was detected in Zambia, President Lungu announced that Zambia had recorded eight new cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, four of which were health workers.
President Lungu, however, decided to reopen churches with a condition that they adhered to prevention measures like social distancing and wearing of masks.
“Based on the lessons and experiences learnt from the last one month where we have generally done well with containing the COVID-19 pandemic, we now know that we need to be cautious in reopening the key areas of our economy subject to public health regulations, guidelines and certification.We are still determining the extent of the disease through escalated testing and screening to assess when we shall reopen our economy fully,” said President Lungu.
“However, I have decided that some activities such as the following may continue being undertaken normally subject to adhering to public health regulations, guidelines and certifications: Places of worship may congregate while observing social distancing, mandatory face masks and sanitizing and hand washing guidelines; sporting activities such as golf and tennis, which do not involve physical contact between players where the sport is played in non-crowded space, can begin to be played but bars in those premises will remain closed; barbershops and salons may continue to operate with strict adherence and observing social distancing and regular sanitizing and hand washing.”
But some churches, led by the Catholic Church, have resisted the reopening order.
Archbishop of Lusaka Alick Banda issued a notice saying public celebrations would not resume until further guidance was issued by the ministry.
Northmead Assembly of God executive board secretary elder Gibstar Makangila also issued a notice, saying the church would continue holding online services.
“We welcome and appreciate the resumption of these services, as announced by the Republican President H.E Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, we are proceeding cautiously with necessary preparations to ensure a healthy and safe environment that takes into account the prescribed public health regulations currently subsisting. We will advise the date of reopening in due course,” stated elder Makangila.
Meanwhile, the Seventh Day Adventist Church also issued a notice that there would be no services today.
Noting the resistance, Rev Sumaili said clarity on how to protect congregants would be issued today.
“Following the pronouncement by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu to allow Churches to worship normally subject to strict observance of the measures put in place by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs will, in greater detail, give clarity by outlining what is expected of the Churches in ensuring protection of Congregants and the prevention of human to human transmission,” Smart Eagles reported.
“This will be done in Consultation with the Ministry of Health, the Church Mother Bodies and other Religions Organizations. In this regard, guidelines will be ready by mid day tomorrow, Saturday, 25th April, 2020. We profusely thank His Excellency the President for His wise leadership and for the respect and confidence he has in the Spiritual Leadership of this country.”
19 responses
Kindly Google Philadelphia flu of 1918.
Good morning.
President Lungu’s directive is very unthinkable, and makes no sence at all. When the numbers of Covid-19 are very low, he restricts movements and enforce social distancing. But when Covid-19 numbers increase, he decides to relax these restrictions.
This simply spells out his fears and desperation for political office. Relaxing rules, especially, on Church gathering doesn’t depict his love for God, but his deceitful desire to rally crowds as a catchment area for elections campaign.
For PF, it’s all about Bill 10 and election. But for those Churches that just want to take advantage of Lungu’s deceit merely for Offerings and tithe collection, and not necessarily to seek God’s face, God Himself will deal with them severely.
That’s my take. Have a blessed Saturday.
Unfortunately, Bowman Lusambo takes Presidential Directives very seriously. I am afraid he’ll be going do to door forcing People to go to church… kikikiki
The President did not direct that Churches reopen. He said they may Continue to operate as they had never been closed, provided they follow the preventive measures. Churches decided to close on their own, while a few continued operation with reduced numbers upto 50 as earlier guided.
All the President said is that if you can afford to implement all the guidelines, then you may assemble.
Besides when the first guidelines were issued, we didn’t know much about the Desease, but now we know a little more and can therefore safeguard ourselves better.
Climbing the tree from the top or thinking after speaking
We thank God for given Zambian a president Edgar Lungu who listen to the voice of God. It’s time to pray against Covid 19 and God is the only solution to fight Covid 19.well done HE, for reopened of churches. God bless you and bless mother Zambia
With good public health practices, churches can freely congregate without risk. People are travelling on big buses to far flung areas like mongu, chipata, samfya without problems. Try to split church sessions into smaller numbers or congregate in open air (outside )
All well mean Zambians must support president Edgar Lungu in fighting against Covid 19 .i want to take this opportunity to thank PF Government for taking measures to fight Covid 19.We can’t do anything without God.Government should invest in agriculture sector. Because agriculture is one aspect which can boost our economy. Eg fish farming, irrigation system.
What Pastor refuses to go to church? Unless you are a wolf in sheeps clothing. Did Jesus refuse to go to Jerusalem because he might be arrested and killed? Did Paul refuse to preach the resurrection because he might have his head chopped off? Did David Livingston refuse to bring the Bible to Southern Africa because he could be killed by wild animals? YOU GENERATION OF VIPERS. You’re nothing but snakes in priestly clothing ashamed on the gospel of JESUS CHRIST. YOU ARE NOT CHURCHES, YOU ARE CULTS. THE ANTI-CHRIST. I REBUKE YOU IN JESUS NAME.
“The preaching of the gospel is foolishness to carnal men”. Do you know what verse that is?
Thank you Mr. President for showing more faith in GOD, than these heretics. Stand tall sir! God Bless you.
Read Hosea 4:6 and Isaiah 26 :10 before you start leading God’s children astray. There is a reason the whole world has taken measures to reduce the spread on this pandemic. My fellow Zambia know what is written in the Bible. 1 John 4:1 says Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God. In 1 King 13:18 The old prophet lie cause the man’s death. So before you start running to your Church on the advise of a false prophet read your bible and you will live to testify how God served you during the pandemic. God blessed those who have ear.