Several religious organisations in Guyana have signalled their intention to comply with the COVID-19 emergency measures which require that members either provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test before accessing any place of worship.
They, however, in many cases have also decided to maintain virtual worship as an expression of support for unvaccinated members, including those who object to vaccination as a matter of conscience.
The Executive Presbytery of the Assemblies of God in Guyana is recommending full compliance with the law.
“If in-person services are held, all congregants must be vaccinated,” a communique from the presbytery, which was seen by this newspaper, advised, before adding that in case of virtual services all technical personnel and participants must be vaccinated.
No option for a negative PCR test was stated.
The communique explained that the church has taken this stance not just as a practice of obedience, but as a manifestation of its commitment to be their “brothers’ keeper.” It, however, stressed that it will not coerce any member to make a decision they consider “unconscionable”.
The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) has also reminded adherents that both the science and Muslim scholars support the taking of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“As believers in God almighty we must act responsibly and protect our lives and the lives of others… Allah instructs us in the Holy Quran – ask those who know when you don’t know,” it said in a statement released on Friday.
The statement also advises that all COVID-19 protocols will be followed including the September 4 measures and therefore any person entering a masjid must provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result. It also advises that persons entering the Masjid must sanitise at the entrance, and observe social distancing of six feet apart; that there should be no shaking of hands, embracing nor congregating while at the Masjid except for prayers; and persons attending the Masjid to pray should walk with a prayer mat.
Liberty of conscience
Notably, the Seventh Day Adventist Church has announced its intention not to comply, arguing that the guidelines detailed in Section 17 of the measures do not apply to places of worship.
“This section does not apply to churches since there is no such requirement inserted under Section 13, which refers to “Places of Worship”. As such, the Seventh Day Adventist churches will remain open for services and will continue to use the blended approach of meeting face-to-face with the stipulated 40% capacity regulation and virtual services where there is internet connectivity. Additionally, our Head Office is still open to the public with all relevant protocols in place,” a letter signed by the President of the Guyana Conference of Seventh Day Adventist, Exton Clarke, advises.
In the September 10 letter, Pastor Clarke encouraged parishioners to be vaccinated but stressed that the Church would not support coercion.
“We encourage responsible immunisation/vaccination and have no religious or faith-based reason not to encourage our adherents to responsibly participate in protective and preventive immunisation programmes. We value the health and safety of the population, which includes the maintenance of “herd immunity”,” the letter maintains.
Even as the church urges its members to objectively access the vaccine and respond to the science, it is calling on the government to also respect individual choice.
“While we agree that vaccination is one way to control the spread of the virus, we will not promote coercion or force of any measure upon any member to be vaccinated against their conscience. We respect the government’s responsibility to effect measures to manage the pandemic and keep the nation safe through its vaccination programme. However, we are also appealing for equal consideration be given to persons where liberty of conscience is involved,” the letter states.
Clarke took pains to dispel attempts to use scripture to justify vaccine hesitancy, while stressing that the ideas being peddled, such as the COVID-19 vaccine being the ‘Mark of the Beast’, do not have a biblical basis or a theological premise.
“The COVID-19 virus must be seen as a pandemic and should not be spiritualised inappropriately,” he concluded.
The Catholic Church, which was the first to publicly respond to the measure, has also expressed support for vaccination but again has announced that physical meetings have been indefinitely suspended in solidarity with its unvaccinated parishioners.
While urging parishioners to safeguard the wellbeing of all by getting vaccinated, Bishop Francis Alleyne in a statement last week maintained that since the measure would deny many entry into the churches they could not 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.
Bishop Alleyne linked the need to be vaccinated to the Catholic commitment to the common good and reminded that Christians must go beyond the call and act in favour of the community especially as it is necessary and involves sacrifice.
Attempts to reach out to various Hindu organisations including the Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the Guyana Pandits Council, and Guyana Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha all proved futile, while Chairman of the Inter-Religious Organization of Guyana (IROG) told Sunday Stabroek that the organisation has not discussed the issue.
“At this point in time I can’t really tell you anything, maybe in a few days,” Pastor Ronald McGarrell indicated.
