Coronavirus Closes Churches While Councils Fight to Stay Open

BY MEGHAN RICHARDSON

As the Coronavirus situation continues to evolve, many local organisations and councils have been forced to review their regular programs and events.

The reshuffle follows after the federal government announced that "non-essential" gatherings of more than 100 people are banned.

Many religious organisations have said they will close their doors to keep their followers safe.

This includes the mosque at Wallsend which has suspended regular services until further notice.

Similarly, Catholic and Anglican churches reported they will also shutting down and temporarily stopping all Sunday services.

However, religious schools in the area are to remain open.

Catholic Schools around Newcastle and Maitland said they will stay open until the 9th of April.

While Anglican schools around the Hunter have stated they are currently open but continue to evaluate the situation daily.

The Coronavirus has also threatened to close many local community events and activities.

Newcastle council said Blackbutt Reserve's bushland will remain open, but services requiring staff to interact with the public are suspended.

Meanwhile, Maitland City Council has addressed the uncertainty and said all council facilities will remain open but public programs across the libraries, pools, and art gallery have been suspended.

The council also announced that the annual Street Eats event is still set to go ahead on April 3rd, but the event will be split across several sites in order to promote social distancing.

Anglican Bishop of Newcastle resigns

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Anglican Bishop of Newcastle announced his resignation from the role this morning.

Bishop Greg Thompson resigns after 38 years with the church and three years serving the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle as Bishop.

"It's made a significant impact on my life and certainly my personal story is affected by that as well as the important work of trying to put in place a proper culture that acknowledges the harm that its done and the change that we need to put into support survivors," said Bishop Greg.

The Anglican Diocese of Newcastle and Bishop Peter Stuart believe Bishop Greg led the Diocese to greater health, and called into question actions of the past which has shaped a healthy future.

Since the end of the Royal Commission's Case Study 42 on the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, Bishop Greg says change is underway in Newcastle, but his priority now is his own health.

"The last day of the case study I was the last witness it that and that had a huge impact [on me], and I think it's been a break to think through those issues that have come into my life and address them in the best way I can - to try and have a break and I will continue to do that."

The decision certainly wasn't an easy one to make, but Bishop Greg has enjoyed many of his roles within the church and thinks now is the perfect time to resign and look after himself.

Bishop Greg Thompson. [Picture Maitland Mercury]