Coronavirus: Journalist Questions Reluctance of Nigerian Church Leaders to Suspend Public Services

Ololade Adeyanju/

Nigerian award-winning journalist, Ruona Meyer, has queried the seeming reluctance of the country’s religious leaders to suspend public gatherings to curb the soreay of coronavirus.

Meyer who lives in Germany raised her concerns following the announcement of suspension of public service by the Church of England, today, as part of measures to limit the spread of the pandemic.

Tweeting via her handle, @RGAMeyer, she wrote: “I’ve legit had to call my mum and tell her that the churches in other countries are cancelling gatherings, and she has to stay home!

“The reluctance of churches in Nigeria to step up and assist isolation efforts is very upsetting to me. As a Nigerian and as a Christian!!!

“The Church of England suspended public worship. Yet to see the same in my beloved Anglican Church in Nigeria.

“All religious leaders you MUST step up. No it isn’t a plea. It won’t be the BLOOD of Jesus on your hands if people congregate & DIE because you want tithes & offerings!”

The Church of England in a statement published on its website today had announced the suspension of all public services until further notice.

The statement reads in part, “In light of the Government guidance around non-essential contact, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued advice that public worship is suspended until further notice. 

“Churches should be open where possible but with no public worship services taking place. Prayers can be said by clergy and ministers on behalf of everyone and churches should consider ways of sharing this with the wider community.”

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