Sacked Catholic Priest, Father Peter Kennedy is refusing to vacate his post at St Mary’s Parish in Brisbane.
In August 2008, Kennedy was warned by the Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane, John Bathersby, to change his ways or risk being stood down after practicing unorthodoxies such as allowing women to preach sermons, not wearing vestments during communion and performing blessings for same-sex couples.
With strong support from his congregation, Father Kennedy tried to appeal to the Archbishop but to no avail.
He received a letter from Archbishop Bathersby (which can be viewed in full at www.stmaryssouthbrisbane.com) informing him that his position as Administrator of St Mary’s Parish would be terminated as of February 21.
‘I have repeatedly asked for changes but you and community have not budged an inch,’ wrote Archbishop Bathersby.
‘Time and time again St Mary’s has chosen to go its own way.’
Father Kennedy’s replacement, Father Ken Howell, Dean of St Stephen’s Cathedral, was set to take over and perform Sunday mass at 7am on February 22 but he was advised against doing so by Queensland police after Archbishop Bathersby received a bomb threat the day before.
Instead, Father Kennedy and his colleague Father Terry Fitzpatrick led a 9am service attended by an estimated 1,600 people.
The two priests received a standing ovation and the service ended with a rendition of the protest song ‘We Shall Not Be Moved’.
Father Kennedy has been a Catholic Priest for 50 years and, according to website www.cathnews.com, his dismissal is the first of its kind in Australia.
Amy Henderson
