Nigeria Catholic churches throughout Lagos have stopped the ‘sign of peace’ in which the congregations shake hands while in mass. Some Anglican churches have stopped handshakes during communion because of the spread of Ebola.
The Archbishop of Lagos Adewale Martins released a statement on Sunday saying that while the handshakes have been suspended, Catholic priests should continue the traditional hand to mouth method of given Holy Communion for now, but asked the priest to make sure their hands don’t touch the tongues of the recipient. He also said Holy Water bowls usually placed at the entrance of churches should be discontinued to contain the spread of the virus.
In the same vein, the Primate of the Church Of Nigeria Anglican Communion the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh suspended shaking of hands during the exchange of the peace. He also suspended the age long mouth method of administering communion. He said this is aimed at preventing the spread of the disease through physical contact.
