The Catholic who sacked the Priesthood in New South Wales

Before we delve into this juicy tale, let the reader understand that the categories in this analysis should be defined by this author’s previous writing, especially The Sacrament of Vaccination.

A fine woman called Gladys Berejiklian had until recently been the Premier of the state of New South Wales, and like the other states in Australia, hers observed the state religion of Safeism, and gave the proper genuflection and deference to her regional priest, the Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant.

However, when Gladys stepped down for unfortunate reasons, a most ordinary and common man took her place, a certain Dominic Perrottet. Perrottet was very clear from day one that he was not going to be the ‘numbers premier’, which for those unfamiliar with Safeism, is more or less equivalent to a pastor of a Christian church saying that he didn’t want to be known for his proclamation of Christ crucified, to use the Pauline phrase. The most shocking thing was that, like a certain twitter-happy politician who recently had some influence in the United States, he did what he said he’d do. Perrottet  became the Catholic who sacked the Priesthood.

As the gathered faithful turned on their TVs on this early October morning, they were shocked to find that the priest who mediated to them their peace and security in the form of an announcement about covid numbers, or vaccine numbers, or what have you, was not there. Instead stood a man. A real man, not one who hides behind a lab coat. To be clear, and this is no mystery, we are talking about the chief health officer, Kerry Chant. She was not asked to be present at the morning briefing.

Perrottet has done something bold. He has taken responsibility for his actions, he has said ‘the buck stops with me’. Where other premiers deflect accountability for their decisions by appealing to the priesthood (“I’m just following the advice of the Chief Health Officer” or “we’re listening to The Science”), this man has acknowledged that health ministers are not supposed to govern a state, and they are not equipped to govern a state.

We can only pray that Dom Perrottet doesn’t lose his nerve, and that he stays true to his course in this matter. God has been incredibly merciful to give NSW a leader who has the worldview and ordination to bring much good to his state.

However, whilst we can praise God for this man, he is a faithful Roman Catholic, so he needs to be evangelised as much as any other non-Christian. Today, if you are stricken with fear for your health, may we exhort you not to cling too tightly to peace and security, for the one who saves his life will lose it. Do not look to the priests of Safeism for strength and confidence, but look to the cross, where only true and living God took on human weakness to purchase for his people everlasting life. Waste no time in trusting in Christ alone to be your saviour.