1. Without prejudice to the Pastoral Guideline issued by me on 23 March 2020 regarding the Coronavirus pandemic, I request all Parishes to comply with the recent directives of the Abia State Government on measures to curb the spread of Covid-19, especially with respect to burials, weddings and religious worship.

2. The celebration of Mothering Sunday scheduled for 29 March 2020 is suspended till further notice.

3. Representation at the 2020 Cathedraticum is limited to three from each parish, including the Parish Priest, Chairman and Secretary of Parish/Deanery Councils and other statutory bodies.

4. Umuahia I, II and III deaneries are to have their 2020 Cathedraticum at their different Deanery Headquarters on Monday, 6 April 2020.

5. Chrism Mass at the Mater Dei Cathedral Umuahia on Wednesday, 8 April 2020 is exclusively for priests.

6. Palms are to be blessed on Palm Sunday in the Church with no procession thereafter.

7. There is no washing of feet at the Mass of the Last Supper on Mundy Thursday and no transfer of the Holy Eucharist to the place of repose. The Holy Eucharist is to be reserved at the Tabernacle at the High Altar and adored by all participants for one hour after Holy Mass.

8. Stations of the Cross on Fridays are to be done in private.

9. An intention for God’s intervention to end the Coronavirus pandemic is to be added during the General Intercessions on Good Friday.

10. At the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday, the Priest raises the Cross and the congregation genuflects in veneration; the Cross is not to be kissed.

11. The blessing of fire and procession with lighted Paschal Candle are to be omitted at the Easter Vigil Mass. The Paschal Candle is lighted in the Church, followed by Easter Proclamation (Exsultet). The Baptismal Liturgy is to be limited to the renewal of baptismal promises.

12. In view of government’s restriction on the number of people allowed in a worshiping community in her efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19, Parish Priests are to decide on the number of Masses/liturgical functions they can have during the Holy Week in order to give a greater number of their parishioners the opportunity of participating in the liturgy of the Paschal Mystery.

Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji

26 March 2020                                                                                                Bishop of Umuahia