Some pastors raised their discontent about the limited number of people allowed to attend churches as per the announcement made by President Cyril Ramaphosa last Sunday.
Delivering his speech on the progress of the national effort to contain the spread of Covid-19, Ramaphosa said public gatherings, including religious services, political events and social gatherings, were permissible for only 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
This has since sparked debate among religious leaders. A majority of them suggested that the president should allow at least 50% of the building capacity for church services.
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Ap Adv Moafrika Wa Maila, the national convener of Pastors Against Church Closure, said, “We cannot argue and debate if this is a good or bad mark. We passed that phase few months ago when we called for 50% capacity.”
“Every province must battle to be part of the provincial council, to understand why the provinces are treated the same with their different infection rates and statistics.
“We must call for mass action to demand churches to open on 50%, as we declare that we will not close, and we must pressure the premiers to be our outright spokespeople in doing so. I suggest that Gauteng must be a base of pushing more pressure, since its premier pledged solidarity with the church on many occasions,” he said.
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Pr Fortune Mkhabela of the Holy Ghost Power in Pienaar said, “We are happy with the announcement by the president to allow churches to gather again. The church helps to win people to Jesus Christ, and when its activities are prohibited, it is difficult to do this.
“We should teach the Word of God as much as we can during this period, so that should churches be closed again, our members would have sufficient Scriptures and the Word to build from.
“The church is an important instrument of moral generation in the community and community development as such. The impact is huge when they are closed. The government should consider partnering with churches in future and not closing them.”
Pr Sthe Nkosi of the Phakane Alliance Church said, “I welcome the president’s speech and his directives on church matters.
“However, I feel the maximum of 50 people for indoor attendance is a bit too low. I think pastors with large seating capacity may contest him big time in this regard, since this 50 maximum rule seems to only apply to churches and not grocery stores and other businesses. I would wish for a 50% building capacity.”
Pr Simon Mdluli of Tekatakho said, “As a pastor, I am happy as we were praying, and we spoke to him about the importance of opening churches. We are grateful that as of this coming Sunday, we, the churches, will be open.
“Let me appeal to all pastors not to disappoint the president by not following the Covid-19 regulations. We must remember that night vigils and whole-night prayers are not allowed for now in level 3. In God we trust, even in this time.”
