The Church in Congo have said emergency measures will remain indefinitely in place in parishes at risk of Ebola, and urged effective action against the disease by the government of President Joseph Kabila.
“Although Masses are continuing, sacraments such as Baptism and Confirmation have had to be suspended,” said Msgr Jean-Marie Bomengola, secretary of the Church’s Social Communications Commission. “Since we can’t foresee how the disease will develop, we can’t set out any timescale. But the crisis needs real containment measures, and we’re counting on the government to provide them,” he said.
Healthcare workers toiled to head off a feared epidemic in the Equateur province in northwest Congo, where at least 25 people have died of the almost-always fatal disease.
Msgr Bomengola said this week that at least 1,000 people had been vaccinated and that measures were in place to prevent “any personal contact” among Catholics.
“All precautions are being taken to ensure people don’t come too close. It’s a highly abnormal situation,” he said.
“The Church provides a key framework for communication and cooperation, and is at the very centre of events, mobilising preventive initiatives and providing transport and medical care,” he added.
