EBOLA; PRESS RELEASE FROM MAKURDI DIOCES BY Revd Father Moses Iorapuu Director of Communications Catholic Diocese of Makurdi.

The Diocese of Makurdi as a preventive and precautionary measure to safe guard its members, has directed that the following measures be implemented immediately in line with other dioceses that are easily accessible from Lagos. Makurdi can also be reached directly from Lagos, whether we travel by road or air. People travel by road every day from Lagos to Makurdi and others pass through Makurdi to other parts of the country. Many fly to Abuja and drive by road to Makurdi or pass through Makurdi to other towns and villages. These measures are to forestall panic and avoid any pastoral catastrophe. Bishop A. A. Usuh has therefore directed that: 1 In the liturgy, the sign of peace before the Lamb of God can be omitted or replaced with a suitable gesture to avoid shaking of hands. 2 Holy Communion should be received with hands and no longer on the tongue. 3 Group prayer sessions that involve touching and praying over unknown sicknesses must stop. 4 Priests doing pastoral rounds must be cautious also in touching sick people with undisclosed health conditions; doctors' permission to be sought. 5 Corpses to be buried immediately and those to be brought into the Church family members must

produce confirmation of cause of death from medical doctors. We hope that with these

preventive pastoral and standard procedures and with prayers and steadfastness in responsible

behaviour, the Lord will keep this virus away from us. We also encourage personal hygiene:

washing of hands regularly, clean environment and eating habits. We urge you not to ignore government's advice and other official statements on how to prevent the outbreak of Ebola

Virus. May the Good Lord, the Good Shepherd lead us safely from the valley of death, Amen. Revd Father Moses Iorapuu Director of Communications Catholic Diocese of Makurdi