Indian Ocean archbishop closes parishes up to Palm Sunday

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COVID-19 has made its entry in our country. In the press conference held on Sunday March 15, 2020, the Public Health Authority recommended all Seychellois to be prudent and discouraged them to meet in crowd.

This followed with the government closing the schools for 14 days. Many other institutions have also temporarily ceased operation.

Following these decisions, the Anglican Church in Seychelles has decided to collaborate fully with the Ministry of Health and is therefore cancelling all church activities such as services, prayer meetings, bible studies, church school, etc… for the two weeks as of yesterday, Tuesday March 17 to Tuesday March 31.

However, in the context of funerals, the Anglican Diocese is encouraging only close family members to attend.

The Anglican Diocese plans to resume all its church activities on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020.

The Church encourages all believers to join daily in a one hour chain of prayer starting 7pm, as follows :

Let us pray:

Almighty God, our strong tower of defence in time of trouble: We offer you praise and heartfelt thanks for our deliverance from the dangers which lately surrounded us and for your gracious gift of peace.

We confess that your goodness alone has preserved us; and we ask you to continue showering your mercies toward us, that we may always know and acknowledge you as our Saviour and mighty Deliverer; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Jesus we uphold unto your care those affected by COVID-19, those who are infected and their relatives and the relatives of those who lost their lives.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire health authorities and WHO officials so that wise decisions can be taken to combat the virus.

Doctors, nurses, medical scientists and all those in the health department, Lord give them courage, boldness and discernment.

In Jesus’ precious name we pray.

Amen.

Together for His glory.

The Most Revd James Wong Yin Song

Archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Indian Ocean