Rev. Fr. Mario Francis Umar, Assistant Parish Priest OLQP, Utako.
By Raphael Ekpang
In order to encourage Christians to remain faithful to God and to abide by the directives of the Federal Government of Nigeria through th e Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Rev. Fr. Mario Francis Umar has said that Christians are not undermining the power of God over all things despite observing the directives of the FG on the resumption of worship centres.
The FG had in the wake of the outbreak of Coronavirus in the country in March, placed a ban on places of worship centres among other gatherings with more than fifty persons across the country. But, early this month the FG through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on covid-19 has ordered the reopening of places of worship, though with some conditions.
“Places of worship such as churches and mosques are now free to reopen. But this comes with some conditions. Worshippers should wear masks; properly sanitise their hands, among other health guidelines to tackle the spread of COVID-19.”
However, the Assistant Parish Priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Utako, Abuja, Rev. Fr. Mario Umar told his congregation on Sunday that they should do everything possible to abide by the directives of the FG, NCDC and other bodies responsible with information to curtail the spread of the noble coronavirus pandemic in the country.
He added that, by doing that does not mean that the Christians are undermining the power of God over all things; including covid-19 pandemic.
While emphasising on the need for Christians to keep obeying constituted authorities, he reminded that, in the Gospel of Saint Luke; Joseph and Mary had obeyed the decree of Caesar Augustus that the entire world should be taxed and went to Bethlehem to pay their tax before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Rev. Fr. Umar concluded by saying that, with or without coronavirus pandemic, the church will grow stronger, therefore urged the church of Christ across the country to believe in the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the cross at Calvary and tap into the benefits therein.
