The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on state governments, particularly those of Lagos and Ogun States, to allow churches to reopen, saying their continued closure can no longer be justified.
CAN stated this in a statement on July 7 by Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, the Special Assistant (Media and Communications) to its president, Reverend Samson Ayokunle.
Churches and Mosques in Nigeria were ordered closed in March following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Some clergymen, including Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, had at some point criticised the continued closure of churches in the country.
Early in June, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, announced the reopening of worship centres for a period of about one month and extended it recently.
CAN, the umbrella organisation for all Christians in Nigeria, said the continued lockdown on places of worship was not in consonance with the new relaxed lockdown protocol given by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
Below is the statement from CAN.
Reopen All Churches Now: Enough is Enough – CAN
The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson ‘Supo Ayokunle, on behalf of the Association, has called on all State governments that are yet to reopen churches under their watches to do so now because the continued lockdown order on the places of worship is no longer acceptable and reasonably justified.
Despite the directive given by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 with regards to the re-opening of places of worship nationwide, some states like Lagos and Ogun are yet to allow worship places, especially churches, to be reopened. What sin have the places of worship committed?
With the sudden emergence of the coronavirus pandemic, the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at all levels, agreed with the government on the need to close down the places of worship, economy, schools and every other facet of life. But with the reopening of the economy, especially the markets (both organized and the unorganised markets) along with the plan to reopen airports and schools, the closure of churches anywhere in the country is no longer tenable and acceptable. In what way are the opened and road side markets more organized than the church which warranted their opening? Is it not our members in the places of worship that do go to markets and other sectors opened? Why are they allowed to go to markets and disallowed from going to places of worship? Is it because the marketers cannot contact the virus in the markets and airports?
It is our opinion that while the government and other relevant stakeholders are working hard to get cure for the COVID-19 pandemic, the Church too has a role to play by seeking for divine solutions as well.
CAN appeals to the Lagos, Ogun and other state governments where churches are still under lockdown to relax it for God’s sake. As much as we believe that COVID-19 deserves attention, it is our belief that the affected state governments would not turn a deaf ear to our quest but allow worship to return to places of worship.
May God bless you richly and protect you from the coronavirus pandemic in Jesus Name as you help us in giving this Statement the deserved publicity in your credible and respected media.
Thank You.
Signed.
Pastor Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, (Media &Communications) to the CAN President, His Eminence, Rev Dr Samson ‘Supo Ayokunle.