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Dimapur, March 20 (EMN): The Angami Baptist Church Council (ABCC) has urged its constituent churches, especially those in urban areas, to trust the judgement and desire of the government of Nagaland and the medical fraternity; and take all precautionary measures against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic “by temporarily suspending the activities, if necessary, including Sunday worship services”.
In a statement issued on Friday, the council maintained that the next three weeks would be ‘very crucial to assess this coronavirus in Nagaland’ as many Nagas studying or working outside have been returning home of late.
“As much as the office would like to give a uniform directive to all the ABCC churches, it is difficult to do so owing to the very different contexts our churches are located in. But should the situation demand, church leadership is advised to take even painful and drastic decision of cancelling Sunday services. This is not the time to debate or throw criticism at one another, but to stand together and do all that we can to prevent ourselves from this deadly virus.
“It will do all of us good if we heed to the Nagaland government directives and the advice of the medical experts, and inform our members accordingly. Understandably, there are voices of disagreement too, but we should not hesitate to do what is best for the society. Extraordinary time demands extraordinary decision as well,” read the statement.
The council reasoned that ‘faithful Christians’ can also conduct themselves as exemplary citizens.
“As responsible citizens of Nagaland, we need to keep the common good of all as our top priority at this critical time. In the event of temporal closing down of all our church activities, we still can convert them into continuing creative worship and prayer at home, as well as other individual or family oriented activities,” it added.