Why Archbishop Martins suspended public Mass in Lagos Archdiocese

For the first time since the creation of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, public masses have been suspended in all parishes, outstations and mass centers. The directive to this effect was contained in a special circular issued by the Metropolitan of the Archdiocese, Most Rev Alfred Adewale Martins dated Saturday March 21, 2020. The circular stated that mass with the faithful in attendance is to be suspended for the next four weeks. However, mass will not be suspended as priests will continue to offer mass for the people and the whole world. The decision for the suspension, we learnt, became inevitable following a stern directive by the Lagos State Government that all public gathering of more than 20 persons be put on hold as a means of minimizing the spread of the coronavirus which had already entered the state. Quoting the Archbishop, “We urge the faithful to view this situation in the light of the fact that we are fighting a war; with an invisible deadly enemy with weapons that are very dangerous to human life”. Although the Church could not gather as a community the prelate asked the people to pray to God pleading the blood of Jesus Christ as we spend the Sunday as a Holy day. He urged the people to build an altar where non exist with a crucifix and candle light, read the readings for the day, share the word of God with one another, pray the Rosary and pray for an end to the Corona Virus pandemic. He also advised the faithful to tune into such Catholic television channels like Lumen Christi T.V, EWTN, among other channels to follow the mass, while also making an act of spiritual communion. Archbishop Martins, while assuring that the Church will continue to monitor the situation, urged parish priests to pass on the new development to their parishioners. He said the Church will continue to find ways and means of making sure the faithful continues to be nourished with God’s word and to be supported in dealing with the present challenges.