Manitoba's Premier is responding to a number of churches who are petitioning the government to allow church gatherings to operate at 100 per cent.

A group of four churches originally signed a letter to Premier Brian Pallister and plan to present it to the Premier on June 20. Since first posting the letter online, over 50 churches have also signed as well as 2,000 individuals.

Asked about the letter on Thursday at a COVID-19 update, the Premier says he's listening to the advice of health officials.

"The churches won't make health policy"

"Well, I'm going to ask the church organizations to have a little faith," the premier says.

show respect for that and to make sure that we're, all of us, working together to protect our own health and the health of others."

Mark Reimer is the pastor at Grace Life Church in Beausejour, one of the original signatories of the letter. He says, “A church is a gathering. Since we have not been able to gather, it’s been very challenging to disciple the church as we normally would. We’ve done other things. We’ve put some sermons online, as well as try to connect with people in other ways, like on the phone. It’s definitely been a challenge because churches meet, that’s what they do.”