Cape Verde Christian Leaders, Including Nazarene Head, Voice Concern Over COVID-19 and Drug Addiction

Christian leaders in Cape Verde have expressed concern about rising reported cases of COVID-19 and drug addiction in the island nation. The leaders, who included representatives of the Catholic Church, the Adventist Church and the Church of the Nazarene, met with President José Maria Neves on Thursday, January 6, and spoke to journalists afterward about the issues raised in the meeting.

Cardinal Arlindo Furtado said the meeting gave the church leaders an opportunity to address “excessive alcohol consumption, domestic violence and sexual violence against children, aspects that have tarnished Cape Verdean society.” The local Ordinary of the Diocese of Santiago of Cape Verde, referring to these vices, stated that “many of these practices occur when people are under the influence of alcohol and drugs.” He thanked the Head of State for resuming dialogue “where all stakeholders sit together to make their contribution for the good of Cape Verde.”

David Araújo, head of the Church of the Nazarene, said the meeting was “an opportunity to share with the Head of State issues that concern the social life of Cape Verdeans, in particular the pandemic situation the country is currently going through.” He said the church leaders were concerned about gender-based violence and about children who had been raped. “We told the President of the Republic that the approach should be made on a broader platform where all institutions should be heard so that we can reflect and find ways and responses quickly, because this is a situation that afflicts families and the country,” Araújo said. He added that the situation “does not leave us in a good position among the nations of the world.” Protecting children from sexual abuse is a responsibility that falls on the whole community, as Proverbs 31:8-9 calls for speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Araújo called for vigilance this year, noting that Cape Verde still faces concerning issues, notably the increase in reported COVID-19 cases. “As Christians and people of faith, our faith must overcome mountains and difficulties, and we hope that the pandemic passes quickly so that we can have economic, social and spiritual development at all levels and that it will be a good year for our nation,” he said.

According to figures cited in the report, Cape Verde has recorded 47,376 cases of coronavirus, including 358 deaths and 41,525 recoveries.

Also speaking to journalists on January 6, the president of the Adventist Church, Natalino Martins, said the current context of the pandemic is “very complicated and delicate.” “COVID-19 has brought suffering and misery to our people, and we hope and pray that it will end quickly,” he said.

Martins said the Christian leaders are available to “strengthen the partnership with the Presidency of the Republic in order to work together and help Cape Verdean families,” referring to the challenge posed by alcohol abuse in families. He encouraged God’s people in Cape Verde “to trust God at this delicate time and to do our part to avoid contagion so that, as quickly as possible, the country can emerge from this situation and everyone has the condition to work and live as normally as possible.”

Source: Read the original report (translated from French)