KAMPALA – Kampala Catholic Archdiocese is set to issue new pastoral guidelines that will guide the conduct of liturgy following the reopening of places of worship amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a message to the clergy and laity on Thursday, 24 September 2020, Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga following the government announcement that will restrict the number of congregants per mass to 70, it is prudent to issue new pastoral guidelines.
“We thank God for keeping us safe during this period of COVID 19. We also thank the government for allowing us to open the Churches. As we prepare to open up Churches for Mass Celebrations, next Sunday, 27th September 2020, at the same time as we continue the vigilant struggle against the spread of the Corona Virus,” Archbishop Lwanga said
“Let us, therefore, prudently follow the Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) as given by the government through the ministry of Health. As a way forward, we the Catholic Bishops also look forward to issuing other Pastoral Liturgical Guidelines after our next meeting on Tuesday 29th September 2020 to enable us remain healthy while worshipping God in spirit and truth,” he added.
Kampala Archdiocese is part of the Kampala Ecclesiastical Province comprised of the dioceses of Kasana-Luweero, Kiyinda-Mityana, Lugazi and Masaka.
Some churches have already issued programmes of mass, with some splitting the Eucharistic celebrations to at least seven each Sunday to fit within the government restrictions.