AFTER Sunday night’s fatal bus accident in the Hunter Valley, the Vicar General of Maitland-Newcastle, Greg Barker said “people are gathering to pray” as a tight-knit community deals with immense grief and loss.
Ten people died, with multiple others currently in hospital.
The accident happened at Greta as a bus filled with wedding guests was returning from the Hunter Valley vineyards to nearby Singleton.
This morning Rev Barker, spoke on ABC News Radio about the impact of the crash on the town of Singelton and the role of the Church in helping people.
“The Church gives people the opportunity and permission to come together and to grieve and be sad and to talk about their feelings at this really difficult time, and an opportunity and permission to cry,” he said.
Rev Barker is in Singleton assisting the local parish priest Thomas Chirackal provide pastoral support .
Beyond family and friends and first responders, he warned that the impact of disaster could be felt “far and wide” – in schools, community and sports clubs and across the nation.
Rev Barker encouraged everyone feeling grief and sadness to “reach out don’t hold it in”.
“If you have a need to make a phone call, make it. Our churches are open, go and sit in a church, there will be people around, talk to them,” he said.
“We can’t deal with this stuff on our own, we know that, we are not made to… and so reach out, make a call.
“People will be affected who are completely removed from the incident because of something else that has happened in their lives. You need to reach out – nobody can do this on their own.”
A statement from the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese said the Church had been working with its schools and services in Singleton and across the region to ensure it provides support needed to those in the communities.
“We will continue to provide this support as we come to terms with what has happened and our parishes are providing support to anyone looking for comfort at this time with special prayers and services provided,” the statement said.
A memorial service is being planned and prayer station has been established in Singelton’s St Patrick’s Catholic Church where anyone affected by the bus tragedy can gather and join in prayer.
A memorial liturgy will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton, early next week.
A prayer station is being set up at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton and all people are welcome to light a memorial candle and gather in reflection.
Bus driver Brett Andrew Button has been released on bail with strict conditions. The 58-year-old has been charged with dangerous and negligent driving.
