Adelaide council will no longer read a prayer before meetings

Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith has taken it upon herself to dump the reading of a Christian prayer which traditionally opens City Council meetings. Do you agree?

Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith has dumped the reading of a Christian prayer from the Adelaide City Council meeting agenda.

As council prepared to debate the agenda on Tuesday night Dr Lomax-Smith instead referred councillors to the written Christian prayer which they could read or use the time for non-Christian reflection.

“This is a moment of contemplation about the gravity and implications of decision-making. I invite members to read the prayer as printed or reflect in a manner appropriate to their beliefs on these issues,” Dr Lomax-Smith told councillors at the start of the meeting.

Her statement was followed by a 10-second pause, which she said will now be the process at the start of meetings.

A spokesman for Dr Lomax-Smith said the prayer was still part of the meeting.

“It is still in the agenda and on a screen for people to read. The only change is that the CEO doesn’t read it out.”

She effectively avoided a debate on the issue as it had been proposed last month by the administration to scrap the prayer as well as a silence for war veterans and an acknowledgment of Colonel William Light while retaining the Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Meeting.

Under the Lord Mayor’s tweak though, CEO Clare Mockler will not read the prayer: “Let us Pray. Almighty God we ask for your blessing upon the works of the City of Adelaide, direct and prosper its deliberations to the advancement of your glory and the true welfare of the people of this city, Amen.”

Adelaide Lord Mayor Dr Jane Lomax-Smith, has dumped reading of the Christian prayer before meetings. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

News of the proposal to scrap the prayer last month prompted a flood of complaints and a petition from Christian groups.

Adelaide Catholic Archdiocese Vicar General Fr Dean Marin said “much will be lost if it (the prayer) is omitted”.

“Prayer is important ... In decision making, this broader perspective beyond ourselves, clarifies our thinking and our actions, frees us from self-centred reactions, and opens us up to others.”

Dr Lomax-Smith’s decision can be achieved without a controversial change to standing orders, and heated debate in the now green/left dominated council.

Under the current standing orders, meeting preambles are; “1. Acknowledgement of Country, 2. Acknowledgment of Colonel William Light, 3. Prayer, 4. Veterans memorial silence”.

The Lord Mayor contends that has not changed, despite the prayer not being read aloud.

Also under threat was the acknowledgment of Colonel William Light and the silence for war veterans, but it is understood these would remain.