The Catholic Weekly 25 October 2020

$2 If there is data that backs up the suspicion being thrown on commu- nities of faith in this pandemic, I am only too pleased to sit down and talk it through with experts.” Archbishop Peter A Comensoli CATHOLICS IN Victoria are upset that Premier Daniel An- drews did not address the un- equal treatment of churches in his revised plans to winding back restrictions announced last Sunday. The easing in restrictions follows a steady improve- ment in the number of COV- ID cases across the state. But while restaurants and cafes in regional Victoria are allowed 70 people outdoors and up to 40 people indoors, places of worship will remain closed and outdoor religious gatherings capped at 20 peo- ple plus one faith leader. Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli said he was “deeply shocked and dis- appointed” at the disparity imposed on people of faith. The Premier’s revised re- strictions completely ignored “the mental and spiritual wellbeing of many, with pub- lic health officials stubbornly silent on the reason why”. “Where is the parity?” the archbishop asked. “The rest of Australia is do- ing it right. Why not us? Life, family and faith matter.” Fr Marcus Goulding, an assistant priest in Mel- bourne’s outer western sub- urbs, said that the obvious snub to places of worship, which had shown that they could safely reopen after the first lockdown, was “deeply insulting”. “This is just mockery,” he said. Minister for Health and Human Services Martin Foley told media the next day that “international and local evidence has made it really clear that faith communities are a particular risk group inside”. Archbishop Comensoli said he would “respectfully challenge” Minister Foley’s comments and ask for the health advice suggesting places of worship are inher- ently riskier. “If there is data that backs up the suspicion being thrown on communities of faith in this pandemic, I am only too pleased to sit down and talk it through with experts,” he said. “We can manage all the steps required to be COV- ID-safe.” The archbishop told media he had been engaged in con- versations with government authorities and public health authorities over the previous three weeks. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Premier, I’m shocked Melbourne Archbishop expresses open frustration with Dan Andrews’ weird logic on churches ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues SARAH-MARIE ALIMANGO- HAN of Our Lady of the Rosary, St Mary’s, in Western Sydney, is on a mission to create beauti- ful priestly chasubles worthy of heaven.Since2018her labourof love has blossomed into a work- shop under Tota Pulchra Vest- ments - where Sarah seamlessly unites ancient art in the craft of sacerdotal embroidery - includ- ing techniques stretching back into the 14th Century - with a strong prayer life devoted to the Eucharist. Sarah’s creations are never consciously drawn out or planned. Rather, they are born after hours of meditation and prayer. “I need to rely on God who is Creator and the perpet- ual source of beauty and cre- ativity,” she says. Her journey into the craft, likewise, came af- ter soul-searching in front of the Tabernacle inprayer FULL STORY ON PAGE 3 ¾ ¾ David Ryan Sarah-Marie sews for eternity 25, October, 2020 Looking for a new job? www.catholicjobsonline.com.au TRANS ADVOCATE: LET KIDS BE KIDS CARDINAL ZEN: PRAY FOR US! P4 P14