As they enter their winter period, Australians have been faced with closures that they have largely avoided thus far.
Apart from the basket case State of Victoria, most of the country has enjoyed relative normality for the past 18 months compared to Europe, yet now outbreaks have caused a shut down of public Mass in New South Wales.
Australian Catholic outlet Fullstop Catholic told Catholic Arena:
Dear Archbishop Fisher OP,
While general retail is considered "essential" under the current NSW COVID restrictions, our churches are closed and the faithful are being denied the Sacraments.
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot. But because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16)
We pray that our shepherds are not lukewarm, and that they will stand up in the face of a government who deems the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as "unessential", while Kmart, Dan Murphy's, Bunnings, and Uber are allowed to operate.
Archbishop Fisher, we plead with you to tell the NSW government that "As long as Kmart has their doors open, we will not close ours".
We ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Michael the Archangel, St Joseph, St Thomas Becket and all of the martyrs who died because they refused to stop celebrating the Mass.
Our petition has received over 1,000 signatures in less than two days. This should demonstrate to Archbishop Fisher that Sydney Catholics take their faith seriously! We do not want our shepherds bending their knees to the wolves. We want the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass! We want Confession! The Sacraments are much more essential than shopping malls and liquor stores.
Most of all, we want to say to the Archbishop: Take courage in the face of injustice, because Jesus Christ, Our Lord, is with you."
Jeremiah 42:11 "Fear not because of the king of Babylon, of whom you are greatly afraid: fear him not, saith the Lord: for I am with you, to save you, and to deliver you from his hand."
Considering the anti clerical nature of those in positions of power in Australia, including Sydney, it would be remiss of the church there to make the mistake of Irish Catholics in complying with every regulation only to find themselves punished severely with extended lockdowns imposed out of spite.
You can sign the petition by clicking on the link below.
Petition · Archbishop Fisher: Open Our Churches! · Change.org
