COVID-19 lockdown: Bishop Chukwuma dares government, holds church service

Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, the Archbishop of the Enugu Province and Bishop of Enugu Anglican Diocese, on Sunday dared the government by holding a normal church service and announced that the Province will not shut any of its branches over COVID-19 pandemic.

He said it was not right for the government to shut down churches and places of worship, adding that it was unfortunate and wrong to categorise church and worship centres with drinking palours, night clubs, markets and companies.

Chukwuma said that churches belong to Jesus Christ and He alone has the power to shut it, adding that closing churches would mean giving the devil opportunity to ravage the people and the country.

The cleric wondered why people should be stopped from “running to their God in worship in a time like now the whole world was in confusion, where would they run to for safety, help and deliverance?”

Reacting to the disruption of worship of some Anglican churches in Enugu, the Archbishop warned security operatives against stopping members of the Anglican Church from worshipping in their church buildings.

“I have told them not to try it again unless they want more trouble for themselves and their families. There is no way you can ask the church of God to stop when we need prayers to bring healing upon the land, especially when we are faced with a problem as serious as coronavirus that has defied every human solution.

“It is wrong on the government to send police after worshippers. I think if they are serious, what they should do is to ensure that the hygiene protocol is kept, that the social distancing order is also kept, while encouraging those at the altar to pray the country out (of the pandemic).

“What can man do under this circumstance without God? What can even the President or our scientists do in this trying time without God? It is wrong for people to think that we will not find answers to what has befallen us through prayers. So, I want to warn that whoever is behind the disruption should stop in his own interest.

“The last thing I will do at this time is to close the doors of my church building. In my Cathedral, we worshipped today and we will observe all the Palm Sunday and Easter activities.

“I will worship on Monday, Thursday as well as the Easter Sunday. It will be sad on anybody who tried to stop us because. We’re doing what we are supposed to do.”

More News

President Buhari to Embark on Eight-Day Visit to Saudi Arabia, Perform Umrah

On Tuesday morning, President Muhammadu Buhari will begin an eight-day state visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he is expected to perform...

Senator-Elect Yar’Adua Commits to Delivering Change for Katsina Central District

Senator-elect Abdul’aziz Yar’Adua of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Katsina Central Senatorial District has vowed to deliver on his campaign promises to the...

Police Arrest Suspect in Brutal Killing of Pregnant Girlfriend in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has arrested Philibus Ibrahim, who allegedly strangled his pregnant girlfriend, 22-year-old Theresa Yakubu, in Tudun Wada Local Government Area...

2023 Polls: Group warns Governor Matawalle over inciting comments, blaming Nigerian military

The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER), a Civil Society Organisation, has accused Governor Bello Matawalle of displaying undemocratic tendencies following his...