Catholic Church ends COVID-19 restrictions, begins handshake during service, other activities

The Catholic Church on Sunday put to end COVID-19 restrictions observed in churches over the years, announcing the resumption of traditional handshake in churches.

His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius IIwejur-Ugorji, the Archbishop of Owerri diocese, in a statement declared that worshippers can now resume the “Kiss of Peace” during Eucharistic and other events in the liturgical celebrations of the Church.

The statement by Rev. Fr. Cosmas Uzoigwe, Personal Assistant to the Archbishop, issued through the National Director of Social Communications of the Church, Fr Mike Umoh, in Abuja on Sunday, was communicated to all Priests and Lay faithful in Owerri Archdiocese.

The statement reads: “It would be recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to pronounce stringent guidelines which affected our liturgical worship, and one of such was that which restrained all from shaking hands during Mass.

“The resolution to commence the liturgical gesture of shaking of hands came following the proceedings of the recent concluded Second Plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria held at Orlu.

“We thank God who led us through the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we pray Him to bless us always with His presence.”