Worried by the rumours of Boko Haram infiltration in South-East states, the Catholic Diocese of Enugu has banned women from attending masses with hand bags, as a preventive measure to possible bombings.
The development, according to the church, is aimed at preventing any possible attack on churches in the diocese.
The Bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Calistus Onaga, who directed all parish priests to make an official announcement in churches yesterday, appealed to the faithful to cooperate with the directive.
Onaga said the exercise was not meant to embarrass women or anybody, but was rather was borne from the disturbing insecurity challenges facing Nigeria.
The cleric, however, assured that the measure would be implemented with a human face and in a civilised manner, adding that the church does not want to take chances.
Mixed reactions have, however, greeted the announcement, with some saying that no woman had been identified as a bomber, wondering why women should be subjected to the task.
Others opined that bombs were no small objects to be hidden in women’s handbags, and so did not see the rationale of being subjected to such a treatment.
Yet others contended that if the measure would avert bomb-related tragedies, they were ready to comply.
A parishioner, Mr. George Onu, who spoke to National Mirror, said: “I must tell you, the bishop and entire Catholic faithful in Enugu are apprehensive, with the rumours of insurgents infiltrating the South- East, especially the alleged recent escape of two buses conveying suspected Boko Haram members in Abia State, during a security check.
“I support the development that, henceforth, women will no longer be allowed to enter Catholic churches during masses with hand bags, apart from their purses, which will also be subjected to thorough scrutiny by church workers.
“Before today’s announcement was made, our bishop had already briefed all the parish priests under the diocese, so that they can take the massage down to their various parishes. “Though, we know that if God did not guard a city, guards men would be guarding in vain, but there is also need for us as human beings to play our own part, while God plays His,” he warned.
The bishop, however, urged members of the Catholic community in the diocese and elsewhere to always be security conscious, stressing that the present insecurity challenges confronting Nigeria remained a serious source of concern to the church.
Source: National Mirror
