Traditional handshakes in churches, which were discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been announced by the Catholic Church to be resumed.
The "Kiss of Peace" should be reinstituted at the Eucharistic and other events of the Church's liturgical celebrations, according to a statement from the His Grace, Most Rev. Lucius IIwejur-Ugorji, the Archbishop of the Owerri diocese.
On Sunday in Abuja, the statement was issued through Fr. Mike Umoh, National Director of Social Communications for the Church, and signed by Rev. Fr. Cosmas Uzoigwe, Personal Assistant to the Archbishop.
The statement was addressed to all Priests and Lay faithful in Owerri Archdiocese.
“It would be recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to pronounce stringent guidelines which affected our liturgical worship, and one of such was that which restrained all from shaking hands during Mass.
“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.
“We thank God who led us through the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we pray Him to bless us always with His presence,” the Archbishop said.