While urging parishioners to safeguard the wellbeing of all by getting vaccinated, Bishop Francis Alleyne yesterday announced that Guyana’s Roman Catholic churches will be closed for public worship indefinitely and would meet virtually in a measure of solidarity with those who would be unable to attend gatherings due to new restrictions on unvaccinated persons.
“Our churches will be closed for public worship until further notice,” Bishop Alleyne said in a statement.
He noted that the most recent order gazetted by the government included a measure stipulating that persons accessing public spaces, including places of worship, need to show proof of vaccination or a recent negative PCR test result.
“This means that many of our brothers and sisters, at this time, will not be allowed entry into our churches. We ought not to leave part of the body detached from the whole. Therefore, in solidarity with these brothers and sisters, and beginning on Friday 10th September, we will conduct all our worship virtually and refrain from gathering in any number,” he said.
Further tightening COVID-19 regulations, the government last Saturday gazetted the measure requiring that persons who want to enter both public and privately-held buildings to which the public has access be vaccinated or show evidence of a recent negative PCR test result. The move has been criticised as a violation of civil liberties even as the administration is seeking to increase vaccine uptake.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has said the decision was driven by the need to ensure public safety, particularly in light of suspicions that a surge in infections is being driven by the present of the Delta variant of the virus.
“So, it is one way of ensuring that the environments in the public are much safer because if you have vaccinated people then the chances are we’ll have a much safer environment when we visit those places,” Anthony said during Monday’s COVID-19 update.
“And it’s not only for the people who are accessing the services, it’s also for the people who are working there. Because we have to create the safe environment if we are going to push back against the COVID-19 disease,” he added.
Strong measures
In his statement yesterday, Bishop Alleyne said the severe threat of the pandemic and the increasing numbers of infections and deaths warrant strong measures and asks of the community members that they not only comply with reliable scientific guidance but out of their Christian conviction, to go beyond the call and act in favour of the common good to the extent that it is necessary and involves sacrifice.
Bishop Alleyne further said that the Body of Christ has up to now been vigilant in observing the precautions against the pandemic, such as masking, sanitizing, and distancing, for which he commend church members.
“But now the threat has become more intense and we have to ask ourselves “what more must we do?” The term “Herd immunity” has been presented to us. It means that when a high percentage of the population (80%) has been vaccinated it becomes extremely difficult for the virus to spread. The science is sound on this and worthy of our trust,” he said. “The official teaching of the Church is that we would all access a vaccine and remain vigilant. I therefore give the strongest encouragement to our brothers and sisters who have still not been vaccinated to please reconsider your decision. I am calling on you to act in the interest of the common good and to do your part in safeguarding the well-being of all,” he added while urging that church members remain united in prayer, in their homes and through virtual platforms, in mutual love, strength and encouragement.
