By: Bwatiye Breed/Yola
The Catholic Bishop of Yola, Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Dami Mamza has described mentally challenged, marriage and family conflicts as impending challenge the Church in Africa will face in post COVID-19 era.
He disclosed this while speaking to the congregation amidst trials and temptations of covid-19 in Yola to build their confidence and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ during the pandemic.
Bishop Mamza called on the Clergy to ensure they take regular exercise, take a break, ensure self-care and take very good care of their health as they minister to the flock entrusted to their care.
He also called on the Clergy and Christian Families to live together in love by offering more psychosocial support, appreciations, being charitable and sharing with the needy as instructed by our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you fed me”.
Accoording to him, all and sundry should offer succour and consolation to those who are on the verge of being broken mentally and emotionally.
Bishop Mamza was of the opinion that we all should continue to pray and support one another especially people who are almost down and out.
He encouraged all to have regular exercise and inculcate positive moods which are effective tools to fight depression.
“Peace be with you! I want to take this opportunity to build our confidence and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ during this pandemic.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 4:6-7)
“We like St. Augustine should look at our present predicament thus:
“Even here amidst trials and temptations let us, let all men, sing alleluia.
“God is faithful, says holy Scripture, and he will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength. So let us sing alleluia, even here on earth. Man is still a debtor, but God is faithful.
“Scripture does not say that he will not allow you to be tried, but that he will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength.
“Whatever the trial, he will see you through it safely, and so enable you to endure. You have entered upon a time of trial but you will come to no harm—God’s help will bring you through it safely.
“You are like a piece of pottery, shaped by instruction, fired by tribulation. When you are put into the oven therefore, keep your thoughts on the time when you will be taken out again; for God is faithful, and he will guard both your going in and your coming out.” (Sermon 256, Office of Readings Saturday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time)
“The following are things that will challenge our faith in the post COVID-19 era:
1. Mental Challenges:
The earlier we accept and acknowledge the stark reality that mental health issues will stare us in the face, the better for us.
Mental illness will most probably be on the increase because of the increased stress and worry levels that many are facing arising from the COVID-19 virus suffocating our existence in the media, along with the dreaded measures of stay-at-home orders and general restrictions. As Pastors of souls.
“I call on us to offer succour and consolation to those who are on the verge of being broken mentally and emotionally.
“Let us continue to pray and support one another especially people who are almost down and out.
“I encourage all of us to have regular exercise and inculcate positive moods which are effective tools to fight depression.
2. Marriage and Family Conflicts:
“The increased time at home is brewing tension among families. There is an evident rise in relationship stress as tempers rise and voices loose control.
“People who lived apart now have to encounter each other daily. Patience seems to be running short as intolerance and domestic violence rare their ugly heads.
“I call on the Clergy and Christian Families to live together in love. Offering more psychosocial support; appreciations; being charitable and sharing with the needy as instructed by our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you fed me”.
“Finally, I call on our Clergy to ensure that they take regular exercise, take a break, ensure self-care and take very good care of their health as they minister to the flock entrusted to their care. Peace be with you” Bishop Mamza stressed.
