Acting CHO raises interstate alarm over top Darwin priest’s Covid-19 ‘anti-vax’ sermon

A top Darwin priest’s ‘anti-vax’ sermon has attracted the attention of the NT’s chief health officer, while a false letter circulates claiming the NT government will plant Covid-19 in the Greek community.

ACTING chief health officer Dr Anthony Carpenter has written to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan District of Adelaide amid concern around anti-vaccine conspiracy theories from Darwin’s Father Joel.

The NT News has heard recordings of a sermon from Father Joel from his pulpit at the St Nicholas Church in Darwin’s CBD, in which he preaches in Greek against vaccines.

“These are not vaccines, these are experimental biological agents and the companies are immune from all liability and then they will bring about a tracking system, track you down if you’ve been vaccinated or not,” Father Joel said in the recording.

“There’s a great number of Australians correct against being vaccinated.”

The Health Department on Wednesday confirmed Dr Carpenter had contacted the Archdiocese with concerns that vaccine misinformation could lead to at-risk elderly people in the Greek community to shun the Covid-19 vaccine.

Darwin's Greek Orthodox Church on Cavenagh St. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“Bishop Silouan confirmed he is aware of the incorrect statements about Covid-19 being shared with the NT Greek Community and is working to engage with community members to provide factual information,” the spokesman said.

A letter was later distributed by the Archdiocese reaffirming the Greek Orthodox Church’s support for Covid-19 vaccines.

It comes after a letter written to Chief Minister Michael Gunner claiming a false Covid-19 outbreak will be planted in Darwin’s Greek community made the rounds on social media over the weekend.

The letter, written by Gerry Koukouvas of the Kalymnian Brotherhood, alleges the virus would be introduced into the community in an “pre-planned outbreak” on September 25.

“It has come to our attention, through reliable sources, that members of your government are planning a fictitious Covid-19 outbreak, that will implicate the Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas and its parishioners, which we belong to,” the letter said.

Mr Koukouvas declined to comment when approached by the NT News.

When contacted for comment, Father Joel said he did not talk to journalists and declined to comment.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the views were irresponsible and extreme. Picture: Che Chorley

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has reacted with fury to the letter, pointing out the allegations reduce public trust in government and spread dangerous misinformation.

“These views are extreme, dangerous, irresponsible – and they are factually wrong,” Mr Gunner said.

“Our community leaders have a role to play in protecting our vulnerable. This rhetoric undermines trust in the Government and the vaccine, and puts the personal health of all in his parish in danger.”

“Covid is an insidious disease which has killed almost five million people. It will come to the Territory. The vaccine is your best defence. It is safe. It saves lives.”

Mr Gunner also said anti-vaccination views were strongly in the minority in the Northern Territory, including in the large Greek community.

“The Greek community is integral to Darwin and the Northern Territory,” he said.

“We know that the majority of the community and the official position of the Greek Orthodox Church don’t align with these comments.”

It comes amid heightened tensions around anti-vaccination rhetoric across the country in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, demonstrators clashed with police on the streets of Melbourne over the Victorian Government’s plans to mandate vaccinations for construction workers. At least 44 protesters were arrested.

Mandatory vaccinations are not new, with many frontline workers required to be immunised against a variety of illnesses to protect at-risk populations.

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