Catholics from across Perth are collecting signatures on a petition asking Members of the Western Australia Parliament to keep the Lord’s Prayer at the start of each sitting day. Source: The Record.
They join a growing number of West Australians who have made their views known to a parliamentary committee now weighing in on the question.
The proposal to drop the prayer came from Bassendean MP Dave Kelly, a former Labor cabinet minister, in a submission to the Legislative Assembly’s Procedure and Privileges Committee.
According to the Australian Christian Lobby, the Legislative Council carried the practice through from Federation and the Assembly adopted the Lord’s Prayer by resolution in 1928.
Christian prayer has opened sittings in the Westminster tradition since 1558, and the Commonwealth Parliament has done so since 1901.
Mr Kelly wants the prayer replaced with a moment of silent reflection.
He argued that a Christian prayer is no longer appropriate in a state with many religions and none, and that Parliament is the only government workplace in Western Australia required to begin the day with an act of worship.
He also raised the effect on survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, saying the daily recitation can read as though Parliament is siding with the institutions responsible.
The petition circulating through Ellenbrook Parish prepared by Catenian members Lou and Yvette O’Hara, with the blessing of parish priest Fr Bonaventure Echeta, takes a different starting point.
Its authors write that the proposal concerns more than a standing order.
It asks whether Western Australia should set aside a practice that has framed public service with humility, reflection and a commitment to the common good.
The document makes a point that has been largely missing from the public argument. No member of Parliament is required to take part. Members may remain silent or may choose not to be in the chamber.
It also puts forward a compromise. Retain the prayer, then follow it with a brief period of silence so that members of all faiths and none can reflect according to their conscience.
A separate e-petition lodged with the Legislative Assembly by Gingin-Chittering parishioner Cáit Folan-Sfakianakis asks members to oppose any move to cancel or replace the Lord’s Prayer.
With the support of parish priest Fr Paul Fox, Ms Folan-Sfakianakis is encouraging her local community to back her initiative by signing the e-petition on the WA Parliamentary website.
FULL STORY
Perth Catholics put their names to keeping the Lord’s Prayer in State Parliament (By Jamie O’Brien, The Record)
