Member for Murrumbidgee, Adrian Piccoli, Griffith City Mayor John Dal Broi and John Casella from Casella Family Brands are backing calls for Wagga Diocese Bishop Gerard Hanna to reconsider the decision to relocate Fr Neru to Narrandera.

"I am bitterly disappointed that the Diocese wants to relocate a priest who is part of the solution for the modern Catholic Church in the Griffith area," Mr Piccoli said.

"Following recent scandals many Catholics have lost confidence in the Church and Fr Neru has done a great job restoring that faith at a local level."

Mr Piccoli said Fr Neru was bucking the downward church attendance trend because he knew how to make religion more relevant to people's everyday lives.

Cr Dal Broi and Mr Casella have also indicated their support for retaining Fr Neru in the Yenda, Yoogali and Hanwood parish.

"I have seen an increase in participation by people at church in these communities and I firmly believe that the relocation of Fr Neru would be of detriment to the parish," Mayor Dal Broi said.

Organisers of the Gathering of Hope, which will be held in Memorial Park tonight at 7pm, are not giving up.

"Because the Bishop is refusing to give us five minutes of his time while he is in Griffith, we are asking everyone to boycott the collection plate for this weekend only," Vicki Greedy said.

"We are doing this as a way to protest what is happening. We suggest that instead of a contribution they put a small note of protest, which can remain anonymous if they wish, or just let it pass over them.

"We want a non-aggressive message to be sent. The bishop has left us no other option.

"When I started the Keep Father Neru in Yoogali/Hanwood Facebook page I thought I'd be flat out getting 100 likes because Griffith is usually so complacent. When I got 2000 in the first 24 hours I was amazed. It just shows the depth of feeling for Father Neru."

Tonight's candlelight gathering will feature a number of speakers including the mayor and school children, who have been invited to have their say.

Mr Piccoli said he was very aware that Fr Neru was incredibly popular and had shown his ability to strongly connect with the local community.

"The fact that Fr Neru is asked to do a great number of the weddings, funerals and christenings in Griffith shows he is strongly connected to this community," Mr Piccoli said.

"As with so many other issues for the Catholic Church, the Church is not hearing what parishioners are saying.

"I have spoken to Bishop Hanna to express my personal unhappiness about this decision and I have urged him to reconsider.

"As a community leader I have made decisions that, following community feedback and consultation I have subsequently changed. I urge Bishop Hanna to do the same."