** Today, 10 October, is World Mental Health day. ** There has been much focus on mental health support and economic intiatives to help people, but spiritual help can only be provided by God via those ordained to administer the Sacraments within churches (and other places of worship for various faiths). To deny people access to the Sacraments within their place of worship (rather than outdoors in the cold, which is difficult for many elderly people) is abominable.
We all understand the need to be safe, stop the spread of the virus, distancing, etc. - to date Victorians of faith have been VERY compliant, patient, and willing to abide by all of the restrictions, rules, and regulations asked of us. But things have gone way out of balance after seven months. We now ask that after 19 October things can be loosened up to allow us to return to our places of worship in a safe manner. We can't receive the Eucharist via a screen. It's just not possible. We need to be present and together as the Body of Christ in community to pray for this pandemic to end. We have been praying individually, but:
"where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” - Matthew 18:20
I urge everyone who reads this to pass the link to this petition to others and let it spread more than the evil of this virus. Many people are suffering deeply and silently in the community, and for many others - particularly the elderly and forgotten - their churches are the only place where they find comfort and community. I urge the Victorian government to have compassion on people of faith and re-open all places of worship subject to appropriate rules as we observed back in May-July, from 19 October 2020 if not immediately. Thank you.
T
Tanya Fathers
5 years ago
Mr Andrews, Please allow people to worship freely in buildings with social distancing and a COVID plan in place just as they can go to a cafe.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Open places of worship , churches
H
Hattem Zarif
5 years ago
Enough playing politics at the expense of Victorians, Incl the religious communities.
F
Fadia
5 years ago
Lord have mercy
G
Gulcan Ayvaz
5 years ago
I am passionate about the topic
L
Lucia Glavas
5 years ago
He has destroyed people's lives and ruined Victoria! The people of Victoria are crying out for help. So many people have despaired beyond hope, and lost their lives. Please help us.
R
Racheal
5 years ago
Open churches now
P
Pauline Gorthy
5 years ago
Please open our Churches
S
Salem Arabi
5 years ago
Grave injustice to stop people from worshiping at their sacred houses
D
Despina Tarlamis
5 years ago
We all need to stay strong and positive
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
OPEN OUR CHURCHES !!
B
Bashar Shaaya
5 years ago
I agree with the message
K
Kasileta Kaio-Adams
5 years ago
Churches of all religions should all be opened by now.
G
Gerry Hallam
5 years ago
The closure of Christian churches have resulted in many people not receiving the support & care that they need.
C
CONNIE TRIANTAFILLOU
5 years ago
OUR CHURCH WORSHIP IS OUR SPIRITUAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING.
A
Anonymous
5 years ago
Wee need to go back to our churches
D
David Mason
5 years ago
Equality for religious groups will allow people to gain access to the spiritual nourishment they need.
** Today, 10 October, is World Mental Health day. ** There has been much focus on mental health support and economic intiatives to help people, but spiritual help can only be provided by God via those ordained to administer the Sacraments within churches (and other places of worship for various faiths). To deny people access to the Sacraments within their place of worship (rather than outdoors in the cold, which is difficult for many elderly people) is abominable. We all understand the need to be safe, stop the spread of the virus, distancing, etc. - to date Victorians of faith have been VERY compliant, patient, and willing to abide by all of the restrictions, rules, and regulations asked of us. But things have gone way out of balance after seven months. We now ask that after 19 October things can be loosened up to allow us to return to our places of worship in a safe manner. We can't receive the Eucharist via a screen. It's just not possible. We need to be present and together as the Body of Christ in community to pray for this pandemic to end. We have been praying individually, but: "where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” - Matthew 18:20 I urge everyone who reads this to pass the link to this petition to others and let it spread more than the evil of this virus. Many people are suffering deeply and silently in the community, and for many others - particularly the elderly and forgotten - their churches are the only place where they find comfort and community. I urge the Victorian government to have compassion on people of faith and re-open all places of worship subject to appropriate rules as we observed back in May-July, from 19 October 2020 if not immediately. Thank you.
Mr Andrews, Please allow people to worship freely in buildings with social distancing and a COVID plan in place just as they can go to a cafe.
Open places of worship , churches
Enough playing politics at the expense of Victorians, Incl the religious communities.
Lord have mercy
I am passionate about the topic
He has destroyed people's lives and ruined Victoria! The people of Victoria are crying out for help. So many people have despaired beyond hope, and lost their lives. Please help us.
Open churches now
Please open our Churches
Grave injustice to stop people from worshiping at their sacred houses
We all need to stay strong and positive
OPEN OUR CHURCHES !!
I agree with the message
Churches of all religions should all be opened by now.
The closure of Christian churches have resulted in many people not receiving the support & care that they need.
OUR CHURCH WORSHIP IS OUR SPIRITUAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING.
Wee need to go back to our churches
Equality for religious groups will allow people to gain access to the spiritual nourishment they need.
We need to practice our faith and worship.
Please open the churches and you can put rules