Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Fides
Accra (Agenzia Fides) - "The world was overwhelmed by the global Covid-19 pandemic, which unexpectedly broke out for all of us. The lack of knowledge and the lack of control have forced the whole country and the Church in particular to pray and ask for guidance, protection and healing: this is evangelization", said Father Isaac Ebo-Blay, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Ghana, speaking of the difficult conditions in which the African State finds itself.
"The health crisis has affected and still affects all of us, especially those who were already fighting poverty in Ghana - reports Father Isaac – because the needs of our brothers and sisters, especially those living in disadvantaged areas, have increased exponentially, worsening their living conditions. Even before the pandemic - he continues - many communities lacked adequate infrastructure and access to essential resources. For example, many hospitals, including Catholic hospitals, did not have the basic medical equipment to disinfect their hands, leaving patients and medical staff vulnerable to disease".
In this context, the Ghanaian Church, in collaboration with Caritas Ghana, the Pontifical Mission Societies and other Catholic aid organizations, immediately launched aid programs: "in the Gospel - explains the National Director –the love, concern and compassion that Jesus had for the sick is undeniable: we are called to show God's love to others through our charitable service and constant prayers. Since the the epidemic began, we have provided poorly equipped hospitals with face masks, thermometers, liquid soaps, hand disinfectants, gloves, food, mattresses and other basic supplies".
"All the baptized are called to be missionary disciples in this difficult moment", the religious underlines. "There can be no mission without sharing our human, natural, material and spiritual resources: all the faithful in Ghana - he concludes - are encouraged not to be indifferent to the needs of the marginalized, the poor, especially those who live in slums, of migrants, refugees and disabled people in communities". (Agenzia Fides, 31/10/2020)
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