Religious organisations remain cautious about reopening ‘too soon’

Despite government’s decision to allow religious gathering of up to 50 people during Level 3 lockdown, a number of churches and religious organisations are opting to remain closed. Others are still considering their options.

Among those that have confirmed closure is the Mamelodi Baptist Church, located in Mamelodi township northeast of Pretoria, which said it was concerned about the high infection rate in the Tshwane area, currently considered a hotspot.  

The church continues to welcome people needing counselling, but services will only be conducted via its social media platforms.

Health of congregation comes first

Rhema Bible Church North, located in Johannesburg, is another that will not open, according to News 24. The church said in a statement the health of its congregation is the priority. “We will be live-streaming our Sunday services in order that we maintain our spiritual health and not our physical health only,” it said.

Hope Restoration Ministries, which operates six campuses mainly on the East Rand, said it would remain closed and only consider opening over the next few months.

“We do yearn the spiritual fulfilment and connection that comes with the fellowship that we have always enjoyed as a church. However, we have reached the decision to put the lives of God’s people first,” the Reverend Chris Mathebula said in a statement.

How do you choose who attends?

Maraisburg Family Fellowship Church, based in Florida on the West Rand, is another that will not reopen but continue live streaming church services to congregants.

The church said it had many members aged 60 and over, plus others with comorbidities who would then be excluded from attending church. “So how do we go about selecting 40 or so people to attend church, and who comes, who stays behind?” it noted.

NewDay Church, based in Edenvale on the East Rand, will not reopen immediately, but its leadership is considering various options. “We don’t want to help spread the virus, we want to help contain the virus, said Pastor Greig Garret. “The church never actually closed; just the doors to our facilities. We have a responsibility towards the vulnerable, the at-risk and the aged.”

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies is urging that the doors of shuls should not be reopened just yet.

National chairperson, Shaun Zagnoev said: “We are concerned by the medical evidence which shows that there have been mini outbreaks wherever people gather. Professor Barry Schoub, the founding and former director of the NICD [National Institute for Communicable Diseases of South Africa] and one of our advisors, has noted that the reopening of shuls at this stage of the COVID-19 epidemic in South Africa would pose a very serious threat to the Jewish community.”

Some are allowing free choice

Some religious organisations are allowing individual churches, mosques and synagogues under their jurisdiction to decide for themselves.

The Fatwa Committee of the Muslim Judicial Council said it is encouraging mosques to remain closed for another month, particularly in the high-risk Western Cape. Those that do elect to open are expected to be able to implement and enforce safety and sanitary procedures for Level 3.

“Masjids which are not ready to undertake this responsibility, and who do not possess adequate resources to ensure the safety of congregants, should remain closed until they are able to guarantee adherence to regulations,” it said.

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference has emphasised that all parishes are within their rights to remain closed if they wish to do so.

“Should individual communities represented by their priests and parish councils feel unable to meet these precautions, they must keep the church closed,” it said. “Elderly and sickly people must refrain from coming to church since, from worldwide experience, they are the most vulnerable to infection.”