WITH the rapidly increasing cases of COVID-19 in Honiara and the health team’s ongoing effort to find the extent of COVID-19 community transmission in Honiara, the Anglican Church of Melanesia is suspending all church services for the Diocese of Central Melanesia (DOCM) this Sunday, 23rd of January, 2022.
The Anglican Archbishop of the Church of Melanesia Leonard Dawea told Solomon Star that this is the decision of the Anglican Council of Bishops to support government’s efforts to contain COVID-19 community transmission.
However, Archbishop Dawea said even though the community transmission of the virus will deny the church from congregational worship, it should not deny us from praying
He said this is the time for Solomon Islands to lift our diverse voices as one voice in prayer at this time of adversity.
He said this deadly situation should also inspire everyone to see each other with renewed eyes and rationality.
“Let us continue to lift our diverse voices as one voice in prayer to our almighty God who cannot be dispositioned from his throne and rulership easily.
“This pressing situation calls for greater and increased faith.
“We may be denied from congregational worship, but nothing should deny us from praying.
“I encourage all families to enter deeper into the habit of praying at home. Though apart, our voices in prayer remained united as we offer our prayers together from our different homes.
The Archbishop said Solomon Islands is now facing its biggest challenge as a nation and as a church with regards to COVID-19.
However, he said this is not the time to blame each other, but to ensure we all adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.
“…the need to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols which we have been practicing since the rise of the pandemic is hugely paramount.
“Continue to listen to the national addresses by the Prime Minister and comply with the protocol advices therein.
“As the Body of Christ, we have been praying for protection against the global pandemic, but unfortunately at the turn of this year, it has entered our beloved country and spreading in our communities in Honiara and Pelau in Lord Howe.
“It is obvious to blame members of the Body of Christ who brought the pandemic into our country and those who paved way for its community transmission.
“But as members of the One Body of Christ, let us not revisit the Genesis story of the Fall (Gen.3) and blame each other or even blame God.
“COVID-19 is here, hence all that matters now is to abide to the protocols and do the right things to help protect each other. It is now our Communal responsibility as a Christian nation.
The Archbishop also urged all Anglicans to continue to pray for COVID-19 victims, frontliners including medical and security personnel, our national leaders and all members of the Body of Christ.
