Ebola Virus appeal for our Partner Dioceses in DR Congo

Many of us will have heard from the news about the outbreak of a rare form of Ebola in DR Congo such as at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz72p75zg4qo

There is currently no cure and no vaccine for the particular variety of Ebola and the mortality rate for those infected is between 20% and 50% on current information.

The outbreak is mainly in Ituri province where our partner Dioceses of Aru and Boga serve. Bishop William of Boga Diocese writes:

“The whole world knows that there is an Ebola Virus Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose epicentre is in Ituri province, around Bunia. We have lost many of our loved ones so far, and the number of deaths continues to rise. The Church, as a watchman, has the duty to blow the trumpet. What should we say, knowing our society well, being present in every corner of the territory, in every family, and that we manage health and education programs in more than 60% of its structures in the region (health centres, hospitals and schools).”

Both Archbishop Ande of Aru Diocese and Bishop William of Boga Diocese are running programmes to provide safety equipment for their health centres and hospitals and sanitization equipment and educational material for their churches and schools. These programmes are being run in partnership with a number of agencies and they have asked for our support.

Bishop Mark said: “We stand with our sisters and brothers in Boga and Aru Dioceses. It has been good to send a gift already, good to know that the motorbikes we have funded will be playing their part, great to pray, but also right that we give further support as we are able.”

The church is a trusted organisation despite misinformation, conspiracy theories and lack of trust in Governments and NGOs. The church is well placed to combat the spread of Ebola as they have assets in many communities and play a crucial role in the region.

Bishop Mark is inviting the Diocese to contribute to an appeal to fund our Partner Dioceses in tackling the dreadful Ebola virus and its effects.

Please pray for our partner Dioceses and please give generously and urgently. Giving is best received through the link below which will direct funds safely and securely.

Prayer

God of all the world, thank you that we belong in your worldwide family, sharing the joys and sorrows of your people in every place and culture. Your love draws us to Christ and to each other, as we open our hearts to the leading and infilling of your Spirit.

We agonise that the trauma of the Ebola virus is creating such suffering to our brothers and sisters in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

We pray for medical workers on the front line, for government officials, for all national and international efforts to combat the virus including those working to create an effective vaccine for this strain of Ebola.

We pray for the Church in the DRC, giving thanks for all that is being done, and for the trusted presence of the Church in every community. We especially pray for our link dioceses of Boga and Aru, for Bishop William and Archbishop Ande as they oversee the medical, spiritual, and community-building work in their dioceses.

We offer our prayers in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Amen.