Coronavirus in Gabon: after mosques, churches are opening their doors
Audio 01:27
Worship resumed in Gabon as here in Libreville where the Sainte-Marie cathedral (with a capacity of 3,000 faithful) welcomed thirty people this Sunday, November 1, 2020. RFI / Yves-Laurent Goma
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4 min
In Gabon, after the mosques this Friday, it is the churches that were authorized to resume their worship this Sunday, seven months after their closure due to coronavirus.
But not all of them resumed their offices.
Publicity
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with our correspondent in Libreville,
Yves-Laurent Goma
The masses this Sunday were very symbolic because, for nearly three weeks, a standoff between the government and Christian leaders.
The government had imposed very strict restrictions (no communion, no offerings, obligation to present a negative covid test before entering a church).
Pastors protested and the government eventually backed down by relaxing the guidelines.
But he persisted on the number of devotees who can attend a service: 30, no more, regardless of the size of the place of prayer.
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To read also
: In Gabon, places of worship reopen with lightened anti-Covid-19 measures (mosques)
Several revival churches have therefore refused to open this Sunday, because of this condition.
This is the case with Beth Saïda Church.
A dozen police officers keep watch outside.
Inside, young people inside are trying to dust off the sound system.
Beth Saïda is a member of the Collective of Charismatic and Revival Churches which has decided not to resume worship, as nosu explains by its president, Jean-Baptiste Moulaka.
“
We will not be able to reopen the church for thirty people and for one hour of worship ... We did not accept that!
"
The Catholic Church, the majority in Gabon, is not on the same line.
The priests did not shy away from their pleasure to reconnect with the office, as at the Sainte Marie cathedral where no police officer is visible.
Father Serge Patrick Mabikassa celebrated the 10 o'clock mass.
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Last Sunday we were at church doors ave
c
the police prevented us from entering ... but today is an immense joy!
And the faithful are overwhelmed.
Due to the limit of 30 faithful per cult, the cathedral organized 12 masses this Sunday in 3 different rooms.
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To read also:
Covid-19: agitated Sunday in front of the Gabonese churches which wanted to reopen
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Covid-19: agitated Sunday in front of Gabonese churches which wanted to reopen