CCN calls for halt to church services

The Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) has called on all its member churches and the entire Christian community to adhere to precautionary measures recommended by authorities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. This includes putting church services on hold. Acting CCN secretary-general Ludwig Beukes made the call on Tuesday during a media briefing, saying everyone in Namibia, especially churches, must adhere to President Hage Geingob's call to ban mass gatherings for 30 days to avoid the spread of the virus. He said all good spiritual leaders who care about the health and well-being of their congregations should minimise their gatherings to less than 10 people or completely cancel all their services such as holy communions, baptisms and weddings. “Memorial services should be suspended as well as funeral gatherings should be conducted in open spaces and the number of gathering days and burials should be shortened as some burials can go up to a week,” said Beukes. He added there are some pastors worried about losing Sunday offerings and tithes if people don't go to church, but true spiritual churches leaders will put the welfare of God's people first and will not manipulate people, because of their own interest. “As law-abiding Christians, let us adhere to the call of the authorities, for the authorities are put there by God to govern His people. Let the church be a place of hope and peace in these troubled times; let us unite in prayer wherever we find ourselves,” said Beukes. Association of Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches of Namibia president Reverend Fritz Gaweseb, who also spoke at the same event, said this is the time everyone, irrespective of their religious affiliation, should come together and pray for the virus to go away because it does not discriminate and it can affect anyone.The World Health Organisation cautioned that the wearing of masks is not the answer to avoiding the virus, and advised people to rather wash their hands regularly with soap and avoid touching their nose, mouth and eyes to help avoid contracting the virus.NAMPA

CCN calls for halt to church services

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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CCN calls for halt to church services

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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