| Pastoral letter to all clergy in the Diocese of Parramatta on the reopening of churches for public worship.
Dear brothers,
As you are all aware the result of the vaccination programme across the State is going lead
to a lessening of restrictions in a phased manner between 11 October and 1 December. The
NSW Government have indicated that when 70% of the population has received their full
vaccination that places of worship can reopen, but only for those who are fully vaccinated.
Discussion amongst the Bishops in the Province and more broadly across the country has led
me to the conclusion that it would be counterproductive to reopen our places of worship
only to the vaccinated.
W WIELKIM SKRÓCIE: WIERNI NIE MUSZĄ BYĆ SZCZEPIENI, KAPŁANI MUSZĄ
Whilst Pope Francis and other Church leaders have stressed the
importance of being vaccinated for the common good of all, the Church also respects those
who choose not to be vaccinated.
Therefore, I have determined that we should wait until the 80% threshold has been
achieved before we reopen our Churches as this would then permit all Catholics to attend
regardless of vaccination status. The projection is that this is likely sometime towards the
end of October. The People of God have along with the rest of the community been
deprived of many of the liberties and ability to participate in a range of activities that give
meaning and purpose to their lives. It is to the core of our ministry that we resume our
pastoral care of the people as soon as that is practicable.
Admission to both hospitals and aged care facilities to minister pastorally to patients and
residents will require that clergy are vaccinated. As this ministry is at the heart of the
Gospel, I would encourage all clergy if they have not already been vaccinated to arrange to
do so as soon as possible.
Once a date has been finalised by the NSW Government as to when 80% fully vaccinated
has been achieved an advice to reopen will come from the Chancery.
With my prayers for you and the communities you serve,
Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv
Bishop of Parramatta
Given at Parramatta on 29 September 2021 | 
