BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Malawi Police on Sunday raided several across the country where congregants and church officials were defying government-issued orders banning any kind of public gatherings including worshiping in churches and Mosques as a measure to contain the covid-19
According to the police, the operation was conducted on orders from the above.
Congregants have welcomed the directive with mixed reactions, with some arguing that they will continue congregating.
“It is very unfortunate that it has reached this extent. As leaders of the church, we try to follow all the preventive measures when conducting services,” said MacDonald Chisale, Pastor of the Church of Christ in Balaka
However, there was division at the Roman Catholic Church between the members and priests. While the priests welcomed the directive, the members challenged that next week Sunday they will still congregate in the absence of the priests.
Last week, in an interview with Maravi Post, Sheikh Dinala Chabulika justified the need to close mosques and churches arguing there nothing we can compare with life.
“Why not justifiable? Is there anything that you compare with life? This is why another option is to pray alone. it is acceptable to do that,” said Chabulika.
Announcing additional measures on 4th April, 2020, President Peter Mutharika said “all formal meetings, gatherings and conferences are suspended forthwith.”
Malawi has so far recorded 33 cases of covid-19; three recoveries and three deaths.
