Five faith leaders want bigger gathering limits, St Mary’s priest says basilica could hold 120 people
A Geelong priest is imploring the State Government to have limits on faith gatherings lifted in line with hospitality venues, arguing people can worship safely within COVID guidelines.
Geelong
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FAITH leaders are appealing to the state government to have limits on faith gatherings lifted in line with hospitality venues.
Four faith leaders, including the bishops of Ballarat and Melbourne, have written to Premier Daniel Andrews and said it did not make sense for limits of 10 to be put on outdoor faith gatherings in regional Victoria.
“The current restrictions in regional Victoria literally fail the ‘pub test’: if people of faith can gather in a restaurant or bar catering for a particular number of patrons (and remove their face coverings), they ought to be able to put on thei mask, cross the road and worship in their faith community with the same numbers, provided equivalent COVID-safe practices are in place,” the faith leaders said in the letter.
“We ask that this disparity be rectified urgently and that the principle of fairness be applied to each subsequent step on the road map to reopening.
“Catholic communities have shown their commitment to acting responsibly and cooperatively throughout the pandemic, and they will be greatly encouraged in this if they can see that people of faith are being given the same consideration as other sectors of the community.”
At the moment 50 patrons are able to gather outdoors at hospitality venues if density conditions are met.
Parish priest at St Mary of the Angels in Geelong, James Clarke, said worshippers felt alienated from their churches due to current restrictions.
“I am getting a lot of negative feedback from people; they are frustrated they can’t worship.
“If you can go a restaurant (with 50 people) why can’t you go to a place of worship?” Fr Clarke said.
He said St Mary’s basilica could accommodate up to 120 people inside appropriately distanced because of its size, and had planned to do so before the second wave of COVID-19 hit.
A Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman said the maximum size of an outdoor religious gathering had to be 10 people plus one faith leader under step 3 of reopening.
“These measures are in force to ensure the number of cases continues to decline and that we continue to reduce the risk of outbreaks,” the spokeswoman said.
“As we take cautious steps towards reopening every change we make to restrictions is guided by the data and advice from the chief health officer.
“We thank every Victorian who has played their part in bringing these numbers down and for their patience as we work towards further easing of restrictions.”
The spokeswoman said places of worship in regional Victoria could open for private worship with a household, their nominated “bubble” of up to five people and a faith leader.
Originally published as Five faith leaders want bigger gathering limits, St Mary’s priest says basilica could hold 120 people