Catholic Church opts out of Easter celebration in Katsina

By Augustine Okezie, Katsina

The Catholic Church was the only exception among Churches in Kastina state that celebrated the Easter Service on Sunday, investigation by The Nation has revealed

The Vice Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and leader of the Catholic Church in Katsina state, who pleaded anonymity, told The Nation that the directive not to celebrate the Easter came from the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Mathew Hassan Kukah.

He said Kukah ordered all Dioceses under his province should not hold services to mark the Easter celebration as part of measures to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus

He said: ‘’it was a directive from Sokoto, which we had no choice than to obey’’

Meanwhile the celebration of the Easter festivities in Katsina state went smoothly with services held throughout in the 34 local government areas of the state

CAN chairman in the state, Very Reverend Nelson Onyekachukwu, told The Nation services were held throughout the state without any hiccup

He further commended Governor Aminu Masari for relaxing the lockdown measures, for allowing Christians to meet for Easter celebration.

Read Also: COVID-19: Masari visits isolation centres in Katsina

He said: ’’We thank the Governor for lifting the ban right from Good Friday, I want all our members to remain law abiding, obey all rules and regulations and pray against the spread of COVID -19 pandemic in the state.’’

The Nation correspondent was at the Evangelical Church of Christ in Nigeria (ECCN) Kasira, Katsina with Rev Kefas Galadima taking charge of the service, which started from 9am to 10:30am.

There was also the provision of soap, water and hand sanitisers for worshippers.

The Nation reports that the State Government on Friday lifted the ban on Sunday Church service to enable Christian faithful and churches in particular to observe one hour worship section during the Easter celebration

The Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS), Alhaji Mustapha Muhammad Inuwa, in an  announcement said services should not to be prolonged in order to discharge the worshippers on time.