AFRICA/IVORY COAST - The "White Masks" movement, born to support emeritus bishops, retired priests, pastors and elderly imams, in times of pandemic

Thursday, 4 June 2020 coronavirus   solidarity   local churches   bishops  

Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - "We must not and cannot abandon old priests who gave a lot, emeritus Bishops who did a lot", said Fr. Eric Norbert Abekan, parish priest of the Holy Family parish of Riviera in Abidjan, in explaining the birth of the "White Masks" movement.
The movement works to offer support to vulnerable people and in particular to emeritus Bishops, retired priests, pastors and imams, as well as elders, widows and orphans who live in serious precarious situations, aggravated by the social and economic lockdown imposed to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In concrete terms, the movement offers food donations and non-food basic necessities to these people", says the priest
According to Fr. Abekan, the "White Masks" will not be an extemporaneous initiative, but will continue over time. What we want to do with the people who are helping us with the White Masks is to make the gestures of generosity carried out during the crisis for COVID-19 continue substantially throughout life".
The movement of the "White Masks", officially launched on May 30 at the Holy Family parish of Riviera, could later be institutionalized, giving it legal value. (S.S.) (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 4/6/2020)


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