by S’ola Filani
As the fear of the spread of Ebola sweeps across Nigeria, the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja on Sunday announced new procedures for worshippers at Mass.
The new procedures which include the administration of the Holy Communion on the palm of the faithful as against placing it on the tongue of the recipient, were announced by Rev. Fr. Moses Jimbili, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Nyanya.
Another change in the church’s practice was the stoppage of hand shake by worshippers done during consecration of the Holy Communion as sign of peace.
“The sign of peace should be omitted at Mass, Communion in the hand is highly recommended and should be encouraged (unless for those who insist on receiving on the tongue),” the cardinal said.
Jimbili said, “You know some people sweat a lot and since one of the ways the virus can be transmitted is through sweating, it will be better to stop handshake so that one does not contract it.’’
He also said Holy Water bowls usually placed at the entrance of churches should be discontinued to contain the spread of the virus.
