Catholics Wave Off COVID-19, Resume Handshake

The Catholic Church has announced the resumption of traditional handshakes in churches, which were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Archbishop of Owerri Diocese, Most Rev. Lucius IIwejur-Ugorji, said in a statement that worshippers were to resume the “Kiss of Peace” during Eucharistic and other events in the liturgical celebrations of the church.
The statement was signed by the Personal Assistant to the Archbishop, Rev. Fr. Cosmas Uzoigwe and released through the National Director of Social Communications of the church, Fr Mike Umoh, yesterday, in Abuja.
The statement was addressed to all Priests and Lay faithful in Owerri Archdiocese.
“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 recently 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,” the archbishop said.