The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, has directed that handshakes popularly known as ‘Kiss of Peace’ should resume, during the celebration of mass after suspending the Eucharistic practice 30 months ago.
It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to do everything within their powers to ensure the technology was transparently deployed to increase the confidence of the people in the electoral process
The suspension followed the World Health Organisation’s declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic as a global health emergency in the year 2020.
The decision to lift the suspension was taken during proceedings of the just-concluded second plenary of the CBCN, which was held in Orlu, Imo State.
The directive, contained in a memo entitled, ‘Kiss of Peace’, dated September 17, 2022, and signed by Rev. Fr. Cosmas Uzoigwe, the Personal Assistant to the President of the CBCN, His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, in Abuja yesterday, read: “Greetings to you all, His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius lwejuru Ugorji has directed that the traditional shaking of hands (Kiss of Peace) during Eucharistic celebration and other events in the liturgical celebrations of the church should resume and come back to life.
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‘The resolution to commence the liturgical gesture of shaking of hands came, following the proceedings of the recently concluded second plenary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria held at Orlu.’
The CBCN also appealed to INEC to ensure the technology was transparently deployed to increase the confidence of the people in the electoral process.
It expressed the optimism that the new innovation if properly used, would increase the credibility of the 2023 polls.
The Bishops said flawless and credible elections would be a good remedial step to combating some of the challenges shaking the nation to its foundation and an answer to the yearnings of Nigerians for credible and reliable leaderships at all levels to redirect the nation to the path of greatness
The CBCN stated this in a communiqué at the end of its Second Plenary Meeting of the Sacred Heart Pastoral/Retreat Centre, Orlu, Imo State on September 16, 2022, signed by its President, Most Rev Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji , and Secretary, Most Rev. Donatus Aihmiosion Ogun.
