By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
WHEN senior pastor Wills Thomas submitted plans for a new home for his church Ebenezer Christian Assembly, he had no idea his church could land in the midst of some kind of holy war.
Last Tuesday, Casey Council approved the two-storey south Indian Malayalam church in Claredale Road, Doveton — which neighbours the proposed Afghan mosque and the headquarters for the mosque’s vehement opponents, Catch the Fire Ministries.
Mr Thomas does not share Catch the Fire’s pastor Daniel Nalliah’s anti-Islamic ideas. “We understand being under a secular government, that faith is not just for one group,” Mr Thomas said. “We don’t know Daniel Nalliah or the mosque group but we have no problems with anyone else.”
Mr Thomas submitted plans in December out of the need to move the church from a rented space in Stud Road, Dandenong.
He said he would not have reconsidered the application had he known of the feuding neighbours. “That shouldn’t bother us. It will die down eventually — as long as there’s harmony between us.”
What do you think? Post a comment below.
For all the latest breaking news, stay with this website. Also, follow the Weekly at facebook.com/dandenongjournal or on Twitter @DandyJournal.
