Victorian Parliament to review Lord’s Prayer amid push to have it scrapped

In a bold move the Victorian parliament will consider scrapping the reading of a Christian prayer, or rotating it with other faiths, at the opening of each sitting day of parliament.

The Victorian parliament will consider scrapping the reading of a Christian prayer, or rotating it with other faiths, at the opening of each sitting day.

The Legislative Council’s Procedures Committee will review the daily recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, following a push from upper house crossbencher Fiona Patten.

She wants the century-old tradition bumped in favour of the Acknowledgement of Country, currently second on the day’s agenda.

THE PEOPLE NOT GOING TO CHURCH THIS CHRISTMAS

A PRAYER TO PROTECT OUR HERITAGE

GREENS MP WANTS TO BREAK TIE TRADITION

The prospect remains controversial among some MPs, including the Liberal Member for Western Metro Bernie Finn who refuses to stand for the acknowledgment.

Liberal MP Bernie Finn does not stand for the Acknowledgement of Country. Picture: Michael Dodge

Ms Patten said it was high time state parliament found an alternative to the Lord’s Prayer.

“Victoria is built on diversity and multiculturalism — from the 38 indigenous clans of Victoria, to the peoples displaced by world wars and global conflicts — all who call Victoria home,” she said.

“This is a secular society and most religious people I speak to are surprised to find out that this is how we start every day here. Removing the Lord’s Prayer is a nod to how diverse the Victorian parliament is.”

LIBERALS UNREPENTANT ABOUT BREAKING GOOD FRIDAY PAIR

FIREYS BILL AN UNHOLY FIASCO

But Premier Daniel Andrews said the Lord’s Prayer was “hardly the most important issue that we face at the moment in our state”.

“If that was something that had bipartisan support or support across the political divide then we would be happy to look at that but it should be done in a respectful way,” he said.

“Some traditions are worth valuing (but) at the same time though we do live in a multifaith community.

“If it were a multi-faith moment, if you like, at the beginning of the parliamentary day perhaps that would be more reflective of what modern Victoria looks like.”

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews said the Lord’s Prayer was “hardly the most important issue” for the state.

Consumer Affairs Minister Marlene Kairouz, a Catholic, said this morning that she would fight to keep the prayer but remained open to alternating with other religious statements.

“It is something I will be advocating for quite strongly,” she said.

“We have one of the most diverse parliaments, something that I am extremely proud of.

“If we needed to share other prayers or recognise other religions or other traditions, I am more than happy to consider that. That has to go through proper process and that’s a matter for parliament.”

[e-mail]

@moniquehore