NSW Government allows spiritual leaders to leave locked down LGAs for worship services

·

The Berejiklian government has granted permission for spiritual leaders in the eight locked down local government areas to leave their LGAs in order to livestream religious services, following calls this week from NSW Labor.

Reported initially by The Australian, spiritual leaders, including Greek Orthodox priests, were previously not allowed to leave their LGA’s to attend worship.

Spiritual leaders were only allowed to leave to conduct funerals with up to 10 mourners in attendance, and to give last rites.

However, the NSW Government has altered the restrictions to allow faith leaders to broadcast services and ceremonies at places of worship, or provide end of life care and support.

NSW Labor members Sophie Cotsis, Courtney Houssos and Steve Kamper are only a few of the people who called on the Government to make this change.

“I’ve been hearing from a lot of faith groups and a lot of people of faith that they don’t have a service,” Steve Kamper said.

“There’s been an enormous demand to get the authorised worker status provided to religious leaders.”

The Rockdale MP said the changes should only apply if religious leaders can demonstrate “strict adherence” to a Covid-19 safety plan, and if they are joined only by those performing religious rights and one technician tasked with filming and broadcasting the service.

“This is a common sense decision and means so much to people of faith who are doing it tough during this time,” Sophie Cotsis said on Facebook.

“The spiritual value of these live-streamed services to many in our communities is immense.Very pleased to see that our religious leaders will be able to live stream their services.”

Steve Kamper MP.

Belmore Greek Orthodox Parish president Steve Rafeletos says his church has been “very quiet” for a place which is home to a “passionate religion”, since tough stay-at-home orders were introduced in the Canterbury-Bankstown LGA.

“It’s like people have taken their faith away if they can’t come to church. It’s obviously the social gathering on Sundays as well,” he said to The Australian.

“With these restrictions, our priest who’s been there for 50 years can’t come to work. It makes it pretty tough.”

The affected LGAs are Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Cumberland, Blacktown, Parramatta, Georges River and Campbelltown.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Consul General of Greece meets with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan

Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitra Georgantzoglou, met with the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, at the Victorian Parliament.

Sydney Olympic seal statement win over Marconi Stallions

Sydney Olympic proved too hot to handle for Marconi Stallions as they scored an impressive 2-0 win at Jubilee Stadium on Saturday evening.

Greece rejects Turkish Foreign Minister’s claims on minority rights and Cyprus

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stirred controversy on Saturday, June 21, with remarks about Thrace, the Dodecanese, and Cyprus.

Sakkari advances at Bad Homburg Open amid heated exchange with Putintseva

Maria Sakkari progressed to the second round of the Bad Homburg Open on Sunday after a 7-5, 7-6(6) win over Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva.

Wildfire forces evacuations on Greek island of Chios

Over 100 firefighters, backed by aircraft, battled a major wildfire near the main town of Chios on Sunday, prompting evacuation of 12 areas.

You May Also Like

The role of Greek godparents at Orthodox Easter

Are you a first time nouna or nouno, curious about your duties this Orthodox Easter? Don’t worry, The Greek Herald’s got you covered.

Future of the Hellenic Village property in Sydney’s west still unclear

The future of the Hellenic Village Ltd's 100-acre property investment in Kemps Creek, NSW, remains uncertain.

Photographer David Wadelton: ‘Greek and Italian-style décor reflects pride of homeland’

Growing up in Melbourne's inner north, working class suburbs during the 1970s and 80s, I took the many interesting houses there for granted.