The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference have called on the faithful to pay heed to Pope Francis’ global call on all Christians to recite the “Our Father” amidst the coronavirus outbreak along the line of the Government of Ghana’s call for a national day of fasting and prayer to possibly avert the situation on Wednesday March 25, 2020.

The directive stems from a recent communique issued by the Bishops’ Conference in the early hours of Tuesday, March 24 which also directs the Faithful on how to observe Ash Wednesday which marks the Solemnity of Annunciation amidst the present unforeseen global mishap.

The prelates have also charged “families to use these challenging times to continue to build up the domestic church through the reading and sharing of the word of God, praying the rosary and other devotional prayers”.

Below is the full statement

 To all Archbishops, Bishops, Priests and Lay Faithful,

ADDITIONAL DIRECTIVES ON THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC FROM THE GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE.

Receive warm Lenten greetings from the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

In consonance with the directives issued on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 9:00pm by His Excellency, Nana Akufo-Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana calling for a National Day of Prayer and Fasting on March 25, 2020 for God’s intervention to end the Coronavirus Pandemic in Ghana and in the whole world, we, your Bishops, further recommend that:

 All Catholics and People of goodwill observe the day as such.

 As Wednesday, March 25, 2020 marks the Solemnity of the Annunciation, the beginning

of human salvation, let us all pray to the Divine Healer who has taken seed in human history to heal our troubled world from the pandemic. On this same day, Pope Francis calls on all Christians globally to recite at the same time the prayer Jesus taught us – the “Our Father” to invoke the Omnipotent God to intervene in this crisis. We recommend that this is done in Ghana at 12:00 noon.

 Fridays within the Lenten season and the rest of this season be used to do more penance, fasting and praying for an end to the spread of the virus.

We know the critical moment we are facing as a Church which includes the inability to assemble for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and other spiritual activities. However, our Faith and prayer-life at home are not affected. We, therefore, urge all families to use these challenging times to continue to build up the domestic Church through the reading and sharing of the Word of God, praying the Rosary and other devotional prayers.

It is our wish that all and sundry will do their part in this time of uncertainty to adhere to all directives put in place by the State and the Church to curb the spread of the Covid-19 as quickly as possible.

We, your Bishops, assure you of our prayers and blessings.

May God who is our healer, protector and shield keep us safe and heal all those infected with the virus in these trying moments.

ISSUED ON TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

Source: Radio Angelus