The pub test of religious liberty in the post COVID-19 reboot

In New South Wales, Australia, pubs and clubs will soon be allowed to open for 50 people but churches will still be restricted to 10.

Three weeks ago the Federal Government announced a three step plan: 10. 20. and then 100.

But then seemingly out of nowhere the NSW government moved to allow pubs and clubs to host 50 patrons in groups of ten from this weekend.

Church leaders have been in lobbying meetings on Monday and Tuesday this week. Archbishop Davies and his Roman Catholic Counterpart Anthony Fisher met with the Deputy Premier and Treasurer on Monday.

Yesterday there was a meeting of NSW Bishops with Health Department officials.

Both times they put the case for the discrepancy to be adjusted to allow the same number of people to gather in church buildings as in pubs and clubs.

Cornerstone Presbyterian Minister Mark Powell says “I guess that’s because having a beer and playing the pokies is an “essential” service, whereas worshipping God and having a cup of tea or coffee with a small group of people is just too dangerous? At least churchgoers don’t need to be breathalysed after they leave.”

Mark Powell writes in the Spectator today

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