Dear Premier Daniel Andrews,
We, people of Victoria’s faith community, request that the ‘Roadmap for Reopening' be amended so that people of faith and places of worship are treated equitably and fairly.
The 2016 national census indicates that approximately 60% of Victorians identify as religious. For people of faith, the ability to practise our beliefs – including through public worship – is essential to our wellbeing. As it stands, the ‘Roadmap’ suggests that our wellbeing has not been given due consideration.
We are particularly concerned about the inequitable treatment of people of faith under ‘Step 3’ of your ‘Roadmap’. For example, ‘Step 3’ permits cafes and restaurants to seat up to 20 people indoors and 50 people outdoors yet restricts religious communities to outdoor gatherings of only 10 people and indoor private worship limited to 'household bubbles'.
There is no logical reason for this discrepancy. People of faith are able to attend a service in a place of worship whilst wearing a face mask; physical distancing is not a challenge in what are often very large venues; services are time-limited and rigorous infection-control measures are able to be implemented. A place of worship can and should be accessible in a COVID-safe way.
Religious organisations should be afforded the same opportunity to open for indoor worship with density quotients equivalent to those seen in other parts of the community such as hospitality. We were afforded the opportunity as we emerged from the first lockdown; we deserve to be afforded the same opportunity again as we emerge from the second lockdown.
Premier Andrews, we, people of Victoria’s faith community, request that you adjust the ‘Roadmap for Reopening’ in a way that secures the equitable treatment of religious communities and grants us the opportunity to practise our faith in a COVID-safe manner.
Signed,
People of all faiths, Victoria
B
Brian Pliatsos
5 years ago
It is what God would want .. let us open our Holy Sanctuaries once again so we can open our hearts and minds and pray for one another and to God to deliver us from this terrible thing that has come upon us
M
Mike Ellis
5 years ago
Religion freedom without prejudice
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Faith is an essential part of people's life. A place of worship is essential to be open, just like doctors, and supermarkets.
P
Paul Hall
5 years ago
I fully understand that we are facing difficult and serious times
in our days. Our Goverments and Health officials are working hard to get us through this Pandemic. I'm sure our faith will help us too!
M
Maureen Russell
5 years ago
More people can gather in a cafe than in a church with strict infection controls. This is unjust.
H
Hojjat Hashemi
5 years ago
Blessing
D
DARCY BRENNAN
5 years ago
It's time
H
Honey kallammakal Jose
5 years ago
Why can't the religious community not opened when alcohol shops are.Dont abuse your power which was given by God. We need the church to be opened.
F
Feliks David Srumpf
5 years ago
100% support!
J
Joyce Harris
5 years ago
Eternity Matters - Freedom to worship is
one of our demonstrations of devotion to God Almighty. If you stop the people from honouring the King of kings, even the rocks will cry out - according to Jesus. In other words Mr Andrews, you are not the one with the final word. That's why eternity matters.
A
Alveera Mathias
5 years ago
Dear Andrew n team
No doubt you are doing the good job! To keep Victoria safe n healthy. Thank you for doing this. As you know Australia is a religous christian country.. Faith in God keep us going in our life. Churches are the temple of God...people need those churches, to worship n practice or increase their faith in Lord peacefully . We enjoy being in church as a community and share our love to among our brothers and sisters. AUSTRALIA need Gods blessing to strengthen our faith, get back to our economy and to have peace in every struggling family due to pandamic. Prayer is the weapon that can overcome all the hurdles in life. Therefore I request you to permit all the worship places to open to pray for our country. We need prayers n we will pray for you and your family to bless abundantly. God bless
S
Sylvia Flanagan
5 years ago
Discrimination against people of faith! This State is starting to resemble a Communist country.
D
Dimitrios nendis
5 years ago
Open up our churches I have cancer I need communion and the church open for my health to be restored please
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
People of faith are being ignored in this ‘Road Map’. For many the ability to practise their faith with other likeminded people is essential to their well being.
D
Debbie Burrell
5 years ago
We need Churches to be opened desperately - there is so much mental illness and decay out there......
M
Melinda Rau-Wig
5 years ago
OPEN UP THE CHURCHES!
Stop the Silent Killer of so many - SUICIDE....
Open our churches
We need our churches
I believe...
Dear Premier Daniel Andrews, We, people of Victoria’s faith community, request that the ‘Roadmap for Reopening' be amended so that people of faith and places of worship are treated equitably and fairly. The 2016 national census indicates that approximately 60% of Victorians identify as religious. For people of faith, the ability to practise our beliefs – including through public worship – is essential to our wellbeing. As it stands, the ‘Roadmap’ suggests that our wellbeing has not been given due consideration. We are particularly concerned about the inequitable treatment of people of faith under ‘Step 3’ of your ‘Roadmap’. For example, ‘Step 3’ permits cafes and restaurants to seat up to 20 people indoors and 50 people outdoors yet restricts religious communities to outdoor gatherings of only 10 people and indoor private worship limited to 'household bubbles'. There is no logical reason for this discrepancy. People of faith are able to attend a service in a place of worship whilst wearing a face mask; physical distancing is not a challenge in what are often very large venues; services are time-limited and rigorous infection-control measures are able to be implemented. A place of worship can and should be accessible in a COVID-safe way. Religious organisations should be afforded the same opportunity to open for indoor worship with density quotients equivalent to those seen in other parts of the community such as hospitality. We were afforded the opportunity as we emerged from the first lockdown; we deserve to be afforded the same opportunity again as we emerge from the second lockdown. Premier Andrews, we, people of Victoria’s faith community, request that you adjust the ‘Roadmap for Reopening’ in a way that secures the equitable treatment of religious communities and grants us the opportunity to practise our faith in a COVID-safe manner. Signed, People of all faiths, Victoria
It is what God would want .. let us open our Holy Sanctuaries once again so we can open our hearts and minds and pray for one another and to God to deliver us from this terrible thing that has come upon us
Religion freedom without prejudice
Faith is an essential part of people's life. A place of worship is essential to be open, just like doctors, and supermarkets.
I fully understand that we are facing difficult and serious times in our days. Our Goverments and Health officials are working hard to get us through this Pandemic. I'm sure our faith will help us too!
More people can gather in a cafe than in a church with strict infection controls. This is unjust.
Blessing
It's time
Why can't the religious community not opened when alcohol shops are.Dont abuse your power which was given by God. We need the church to be opened.
100% support!
Eternity Matters - Freedom to worship is one of our demonstrations of devotion to God Almighty. If you stop the people from honouring the King of kings, even the rocks will cry out - according to Jesus. In other words Mr Andrews, you are not the one with the final word. That's why eternity matters.
Dear Andrew n team No doubt you are doing the good job! To keep Victoria safe n healthy. Thank you for doing this. As you know Australia is a religous christian country.. Faith in God keep us going in our life. Churches are the temple of God...people need those churches, to worship n practice or increase their faith in Lord peacefully . We enjoy being in church as a community and share our love to among our brothers and sisters. AUSTRALIA need Gods blessing to strengthen our faith, get back to our economy and to have peace in every struggling family due to pandamic. Prayer is the weapon that can overcome all the hurdles in life. Therefore I request you to permit all the worship places to open to pray for our country. We need prayers n we will pray for you and your family to bless abundantly. God bless
Discrimination against people of faith! This State is starting to resemble a Communist country.
Open up our churches I have cancer I need communion and the church open for my health to be restored please
People of faith are being ignored in this ‘Road Map’. For many the ability to practise their faith with other likeminded people is essential to their well being.
We need Churches to be opened desperately - there is so much mental illness and decay out there......
OPEN UP THE CHURCHES! Stop the Silent Killer of so many - SUICIDE....