The St Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral Church, Nsukka, Enugu
State, has barred women from wearing big headgears and carrying handbags to
Sunday service. Revd Fr. Uche Obodoechina, the Cathedral administrator, who
announced this during Sunday service in Nsukka, said the ban would take effect
from September 9. Obodoechina said the measure was being introduced to ensure
the security of worshippers.
According to him, the big headgears, in most cases, made the
identification of persons during service difficult. He said the headgears
(popularly called canopy) turn to a ‘barricade’ when many women putting on big
headgears stayed on a row during service. “Please, in view of the present
security challenges, the church has urged women to stop coming to Sunday
service with big headgears and bags to enable security men know when bomb will
be smuggled into the church.
“The church has directed security men at the church gate to
seize big headgears and bags from September 9. “This measure is aimed towards
enhancing the security of the faithful during Sunday mass.” Furthermore, the
clergyman announced that cars would henceforth be parked at the St Theresa’s
College field.
According to him, only motorcycles would be allowed to park
at the designated places within the church premises. He added that for those
coming for 5.30 a.m. mass, the gate leading into the church would be closed by
6 a.m. while the gate for those coming for the 7.30 a.m. would be closed by 8
a.m. “So if you cannot come before this time, you are late and you will not be
allowed to enter into the cathedral compound.
“We urge members to cooperate and obey the directives in the
interest and safety of all. “These are temporary measures and will be relaxed
as soon as the security challenges in the country improved. “The church is
sorry for whatever inconveniences the measures will cause members,” he said.
(NAN)