Monica Russell is a young mum who this year gave birth to her fourth child, a son named Dominic.

The pair could not be further apart in their life and experience, but share a common ground of their church.

They are living proof as to why a petition backed by a range of religions across Victoria has already received 10,000 signatures to enable churches to reopen like cafes.

While weddings and funerals, of 10 and 20 people respectively, have been able to go ahead since regional Victoria moved into Step 3, churches have remained closed to mass.

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In June when Victoria's first lockdown was briefly lifted, churches were able to reopen, but not this time and many are now asking why?

Mrs Goehler-Dockter said the past eight months, since her cancer diagnosis, had been incredibly tough not having a support network around her.

"My catholic community are family to me, as I have lost my husband, and have no immediate family living in the area," she said.

"The closest family is Bendigo, Ararat and Melbourne, that's not close enough to have a cuppa. To be robbed of the comfort and support of our catholic community is adding to the isolation which we are experiencing for such a prolonged period."

"I feel that we are being treated harshly, and unjustly, with the current restrictions."

There are many theories as to why churches have been unable to reopen to mass, some suggestions say the older age of parishioners who are more susceptible to COVID-19 might be one of the reasons.

Others suggest perhaps it is punishment after a community cluster was found in south-eastern Melbourne which was connected to a church.

Either way, parishioners - particularly in regional areas, which are open to Step 3 - want fairness.

Ms Russell, from Greendale, said she had moved around a lot in her life and having a church community provided stability.

"Apart from the faith element to who you are, it's the community aspect, that's our community. You get a lot of hope and encouragement seeing who you see every week," she said.

"I've got four children, even just the casual, 'you have a beautiful family' it make me feel like I'm not a failure as a mother.

"We've only been in this parish two-and-a-half years. They are your extended family, you can make a difference in the world.

"You can make a meal for a new mother, or you can help someone who you know isn't able to leave their house.

"You hear of someone who's been sick, what do you do? You go around, drop off a gift at the front door and leave, it's not right."

"I've had a baby this year, it's been a lot more lonely. All of the people in the church were so excited for the baby to be born, and three weeks later it all shut down. He's eight months now."

Ms Russell said more trust was needed from the government that people would do the right thing if churches were allowed to reopen.

"It blows my mind that we can have a beer, yet we can't go to church," she said. "I know if we had an outbreak, everyone would comply and do the right thing to make sure we are not putting others at risk."

The petition which has been forwarded to the state government has been backed by a number of faith groups including the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, Islamic Council of Victoria, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and the Hindu Council of Australia.

Assistant Priest at St Bernard's Bacchus Marsh Father Marcus Goulding said the petition simply asks that churches be treated equitably.

"We're not after special treatment, just fair treatment," Father Marcus said.

"It's particularly an issue in regional Victoria. Coming out of the first lockdown we could open at the same numbers as restaurants and cafes. For some reason they are treating churches differently this time."

"We surmise that perhaps they have a few motivations in these decisions. Our feeling is they are probably a bit misguided.

"Being able to open for 20 indoors and 50 outdoors would be huge for us, because we haven't had that since March. We got to 20 indoors in June then it all changed again and we've been locked out."

Petition details: equalityforfaith.com.au/