Bishop Todd and Rev Patsy joined Father Marty at St Joseph’s, Boyton Beach, Florida on Thursday April 2nd for Compline (generally a late evening prayer service).
During the time, Bishop Todd and Rev Patsy shared how they are sharing Church services in the Diocese via the radio. They also talk about the impact of COVID-19 in Madagascar, and specifically in the Diocese of Toliara.
There are no testing kits in Toliara, so any reported numbers of cases from Madagascar will not be accurate. When they heard on March 20th, of the first three cases in Madagascar, the clergy and leaders were all sent home from their conference early the following morning. All Churches, Diocesan Offices, Bible College, schools, Women’s Center have been closed.
They are following social distancing rules, as far as can be possible, when so many people live in close contact with each other. Soap is a luxury which most can’t afford.
Antananarivo and Tamatave are on lock-down and many of the inhabitants of those cities have moved to live with relatives in rural areas. The road from Antananarivo to Toliara has been closed so food prices are rising.
Bishop Todd and Rev Patsy have bought in enough gas bottles for cooking, filled the tank of their vehicle and bought in soap. The Diocese has bought in 2 tons of rice against the possibility of none becoming available