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Church in the WorldEbola outbreak disrupts servicesUganda Hussein Bogere - 5 January 2008Scores of churches had to cancel Christmas services, retreats and even weddings because of the outbreak of ebola blighting parts of the country, writes Hussein Bogere. "We did not have the vigil Mass on Christmas Eve because we had to prevent interactions," Fr Fabius Bainekanama of Nyahuka Catholic parish in Bundibugyo said by telephone. "We did not shake hands after the Sacraments. We changed Holy Communion from administering it to the mouth, to handing it out," he added. Initially, after news of the outbreak broke, churches began to administer the host with spoons until Government information clarified that this was not necessary. Altar servers have been advised against sharing surplices. A Pentecostal pastor, Geoffrey Kyomuhendo of Bundibugyo Community Worship Centre, said turnout at services that did go ahead was low. "The seating too was affected. People kept a reasonable distance from each other." The Ugandan ministry of health confirmed the ebola outbreak in November and urged people to "avoid unnecessary movements and gatherings". Churches have cancelled retreats and weddings because of the risk of exposure to the virus. The outbreak has claimed 36 lives. |
 In this week’s issueMaking markets moral Iron and velvet Love in a Catholic climate Someone to talk to A good Lent takes planning South American surprise Is the Church too slow in recognising that academies are the future for Catholic schools? Christopher Lamb Goodwin the scapegoat Elena Curti The pain of being a coeliac Catholic Sr M, guest contributor Why the Benedictine family will survive Christopher Lamb The Church's moral obligation to victims of clerical sexual abuse Speeches from this week's conference in Rome This week in Rome bishops and religious superiors met at the first Vatican-backed symposium devoted to forging a global response to the crisis of clerical sexual abuse that has disgraced ... Archbishop voices 'shame and sorrow' after priest's abuse trial Longley to visit parishes 'damaged' by Walsh Today, Tuesday 7 February, Bede Walsh, who served as a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, has been convicted by a jury, following a 10-day trial at Stoke-on-Trent ...
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