Pope urges global solidarity, CAN, clerics assure Nigerians of victory over COVID-19

Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis yesterday canvassed global solidarity to fight the coronavirus crisis in his Easter message read at St Peter’s Basilica, where worshippers were absent.

In his Urbi et Orbi to the Vatican City and the world held behind closed doors amid lockdown in Italy, he said, “This year’s “Easter of Solitude” message should be a contagion of hope, urging political leaders to work for the common good, to help people live through the crisis and eventually resume their normal lives.

“This is not a time for indifference. The whole world is suffering and needs to be united. Indifference, self-centredness, division and forgetfulness are not words we want to hear at this time. We want to ban these words forever,” he stated

Also, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Supo Ayokunle, urged Christians not to congregate during Easter celebration to guide against the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Bishop of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye assured Nigerians that just as Jesus Christ had victory over death at resurrection, so will Nigerians celebrate victory over COVID-19.

“We are celebrating the triumph of good over evil, of love over hate and life over death. Jesus has risen, telling us God is the power of life in the midst of much brokenness and sorrow in the world,” he said.

On his part, Bishop Olusola Odedeji of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West has urged Nigerians to be of good courage even as they confront the COVID-19 pandemic. In his Easter message delivered online yesterday, he assured members of the Church and all Nigerians that the storm will soon be over.

He said, “Easter is about the Lord’s resurrection. It is a message of hope, life, grace and victory. It is particularly appropriate for a time like this when the coronavirus is sweeping through the entire world; when death us literally walking in the world; when able bodied men and women are being locked in their homes in many countries, including Nigeria.”

credits: Theguardian

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