![CONCERNED: Kardinia church pastor Sandro Schietroma says people are keen to get back to church. Picture: Morgan Hancock CONCERNED: Kardinia church pastor Sandro Schietroma says people are keen to get back to church. Picture: Morgan Hancock](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc7ctj61n40ebxw9jmidz.jpg/r0_271_5303_3264_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
People are desperate to be allowed to return to church to connect with other community members, congregation leaders say.
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Kardinia Church pastor Sandro Schietroma said coming together as a group was essential for people's mental, spiritual and emotional health.
He was disappointed by Premier Daniel Andrews' announcement on Sunday that outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people would be allowed for religious services.
Mr Schietroma said he didn't believe this went far enough, especially for his church - which had more than 150 people attending services before the coronavirus pandemic.
"I was disappointed because some people aren't coping at all," Mr Schietroma said.
Catholic church Port Fairy and Koroit parish priest Father John Corrigan said people were feeling isolated and wanted to be allowed to return to church.
He said he believed limited numbers of parishioners should be allowed to attend indoor services.
Father Corrigan said he believed the state government should put more trust in people to do the right thing.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said she was really concerned people of faith were being forgotten about by the Andrews government.
"For many religion is a very important part of their life," Ms Britnell said.
She said attending services formed a significant part of their emotional well-being and helped them feel connected and supported, especially during a time of grief.
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