Inter-Religious Council is expected to come up with the best ways for the reopening of places of worship and will submit their report to President Uhuru Kenyatta by July 6th.
The team headed by Archbishop Anthony Muheria of Nyeri Catholic Archdiocese said they will offer a more participatory model of worship under the current circumstance of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Opening of public worship places will largely depend on how we, Kenyans, decide to comply with all those indications we are receiving. It all depends on how we protect our sisters and brothers by following measures and thereby making it safe even to meet with minimal risks,” Muheria said during the Wednesday inaugural council meeting at Ufungamano House, Nairobi.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i together with his health counterpart Mutahi Kagwe launched the team after being gazetted last week.
“In the course of two to three weeks, we will establish a framework of steps that we require to open our places of worship, look at the challenges we are likely to face and how to deal with them,” Dr. Fred Matiang’ i said.
New Normal
To help the council do its duties CS Kagwe seconded some health professionals to work with them.
Archbishop Muheria said the council will do its best to balance Kenyan’s expectations and the sense of safety.
“Our consultations will be premised on a play between risks involved, compliance and mitigations measures already in place,” Muheria said.
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Rising Covid-19 Cases
Muheria said they will consider all the concerns that come with the reopening of the places of worship.
“We will be pragmatic with our discussions. We have been urged to consult widely and engage those who can help us to work as soon as practically possible,” Muheria added.
The council that has been set up will explore the possibility of reopening of churches at a time when the curve of coronavirus continues to rise and as the ministry of health also raises concerns of asymptomatic patients.
“To avoid being a health hazard, we need to follow the safety measures put by the ministry of health so that we can gather safely and we will have places we can worship in and not open dangers,” Muheria said.
The council is expected to file a report to President Uhuru, through the National and County Government’s coordinating summit.
