The government has been urged to relax restrictions on congregating in churches and consider allowing them to re-open.
Bishop William Githinji of the Victors Chapel in Karatina, Nyeri County said churches play a crucial role in the lives of people during difficult times and especially in this Covid-19 pandemic.
Bishop Githinji who is also the chairman of Mathira Evangelical Pastors Association said the church appreciates the efforts made by the government in the fight against Covid-19 but noted that since the same has allowed some sectors to operate with limited capacity, it should also allow churches to open .
Speaking on Wednesday at the church grounds in Karatina town when he donated assorted foodstuff to 115 pastors from Mathira constituency, Githinji said bishops intercede for Christians adding that when churches are locked, the faithful lack spiritual nourishment ending up suffering with stress and depression.
The man of the collar added that the church would strictly follow directives that the government might institute if restrictions were eased.
Speaking during the same occasion, Pastor Dorcas Wanjiru Rigathi echoed Bishop Githinji’s sentiments and pleaded with the government to open churches.
Pastor Rigathi said during such a time like this when floods have caused havoc to most parts of the country, the church has always been in the frontline to accommodate the victims.
Saying that when the churches are locked like now, pastors cannot be able to come together and deliberate on how to help them adding that this is the basic work of the church.
She added that there are bad things that are going on in the society that the church could address during this time through spiritual intervention.
Pastor Rigathi appreciated the measures the government has continued to put in place to flatten the Covid-19 curve.
She said they are not agitating for the church to open back so that they can collect tithes and offerings but instead desired to give service to the faithful.
A beneficiary Pastor, Lydia Wanjiku Kinyua thanked Bishop Githinji’s initiative to assist pastors cope with this difficult time occasioned by Corona virus.
By Beth Ndirangu
