22/04/2020
PRESIDENT SIRLEAF SPEAKS ON COVID-19 FIGHT & PROPHECIES IN LIBERIA.
The LMC's Bill Jarkloh in Collaboration with The Analystliberia online conducted a phone interview with former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who was commenting on the trending prophecies in the wake of the closure of churches. The Government of Liberia closed churches, mosques, nightclubs, beaches among others.
But but there are some christians who have been against this measure, saying that God is more that Coronavirus, and that God is vexed with the nation for the closure of churches. Some of the prophets critized the evil of the country, and preace repentance as the forward for God's mercy to heal the nation.
Present Sirleaf in the interview commented on some of the prophecies , saying that althogh the government belief in God's intervention to roll back the Coronavirus, ti is prudent that the people uphold the health protocols including hand washing, social distancing etc as a way of fighting for an end of the Pandemic. Below is excerpts from President Sirleaf's interview:
Q: Madam President, there are prophecies all over the place in the Christian Community saying God is vex with the nation for the closure of Churches and other religious shrines. Now that you want to address the issue of prophecies, is it a specific one you want to talk about?
ANS: Well I listened to an internet story yesterday, when someone, through a very long report; critized some of the ills and some of the wrongs in our country. And then there was a person speaking on behalf of God giving us prophecy and said that the nation must now go through fasting for 40 days of prayers. Yes, it is our business – the nation must pray for all we have done through all our history. But I am reminded of the story of Jesus, when he and his disciples were on the sea and the disciples were fishing; Jesus had to leave. And when the people came, the all said to him master, we have been fishing all day and we have not been able to catch any fish – so you have to do something. Jesus turn to them and said, cast your net on the other side of where you are. When they listened to the order of Jesus, they caught Fish. This passage is found in Luke 5:5, and all of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now listen to me! When the order comes from Jesus, the disciples abide by it and the caught fish. So what this should mean is that despite all we do, we have to abide by the rules regarding Coronavirus. Stay at home, avoid public gathering, observe social distancing, take care of yourself.
Q: What do you suggest to keep the words of God going?
ANS: I think we can look at the example of the Pope, the examples of the cathedrals all over the world, other churches in which pastors are giving sermons - are giving prayers to their audiences that are listening to them from their homes. I think churches are doing that all over the world.
And so pastors in Liberia can get on the air, the internet, phones, to engage their followers, practitioners. I believe the liberia Council of churches have called on churches not to meet right now; they need to abide by that right now to be able to fight this virus. We cannot leave that now. From the beginning of the fight is the time l when we have to attract the strongest [measures] and fight the longest.
Q: During your rein as President of Liberia. Did you apply similar measures. What did ou do then to defeat the Ebola virus?
Coronavirus is different from the Ebola. Ebola was transmitted essentially from human to human - by touching other people, by being in their presence. This Coronavirus, as we all know, gets transmitted in ways that have much fluid effect in touchng people. It goes to the air; and you know people are just trying to understand the virus. This is why it is important that we observe the rules, and no wonder why we thank God that though it is expanding, but not as we think. And because it is a dangerous virus, we must apply different approaches in fighting the virus.
Q: Madam President, one of the approaches being used is the State of Emergency. What was yours during the Ebola Fight?
Don’t forget that during our fight of the Ebola, we too issued a declaration of a State of Emergency in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution. Though at this, same thing applies necessary lesson on the government to act in accordance with constitutional law to act in same manner to streamline the movement of the people.
Q: There are projections that the Coronavirus pandemic has not reach its peak, giving the impression that much is to be done. That is our take?
Using my Ebola experience, there will always be projections. Scientist will use models, look at the rate of expansion and on the basis of that they make projections – that’s their jobs. In our case, what we did was that we ensured the projections are not true by our own actions by making sure that we do what is necessary to ensure that we live our lives and livelihood as Liberians and as Africans.
Q: So what is your message to the people:
My message is simple; we have in our midst, our country, our continent the Coronavirus that I do believe is a challenge - meaning it is perhaps another crisis. We need to be mindful of our experience in 2014, in what we went through. This has taken our nation back many years after the crisis. Please, please, let’s observe the rules. I hope that our community leaders also get involved as it was in the case of Ebola and make sure that the carry the message of compliance with the regulations.
