Church Sacks Renegade Priest

[Veridicus]

[quote name='cappie' post='1775615' date='Feb 8 2009, 12:59 AM']"This is the most inclusive community I have ever been in," Ms Roberts said.

"There are simply no conditions to be accepted.[/quote]

Seems like every time I visit a parish known for its "inclusiveness" or read an article which uses the word "inclusiveness" to describe a parish...it inevitably follows that there are every sort of liturgical abuses occurring. I went to an "inclusive" parish in my town on Christmas (where my Aunt directs the choir) and, this is no joke, one of the female Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers who was about my age (early 20s) was wearing a green T-shirt that stated "This year I made Santa's [i]NAUGHTY [/i]List" (Caps & Italics were used for the word 'naughty' on the text of the shirt). It doesn't take a genius to figure out what a 20-year-old girl is getting at when she wears a shirt like that. Did the priest say anything to her or make her put on an alb before she began distributing the precious Body of Christ? Did she scandalize every person who walked up to her wanting only to think of the Eucharist but then being affronted by the insinuation of her t-shirt?

I'm still kinda fired up about that. Ugh. "Simply no conditions to be accepted" indeed.....

[Apotheoun]

These kinds of "inclusive" parishes, in the final analysis, are accepting of everything except for theological and liturgical orthodoxy.

Edited February 8, 2009 by Apotheoun

[cappie]

Dear Peter

Thank you for your letter of 12 January with its invitation to further discuss the situation of St Mary's South Brisbane. I see no reason to do so. I have repeatedly asked for changes but you and the community have not budged an inch.

Moreover South Brisbane's instant disclosure of my letters and comments in the media gives me no reason to enter into discussion. By all means consult the people of St Mary's as you wish but ultimately you yourself are the shepherd and leader of its decisions. Time and time again I have spelt out a request for changes at St Mary's Parish if it is to remain in communion with the Archdiocese of Brisbane and the Roman Catholic Church. However time and time again St Mary's has chosen to go its own way. therefore reluctantly I make the following decisions.

1. I will terminate your appointment as Administrator of St Mary's Parish effective Saturday, 21 February 2009 unless you were to resign beforehand.

I would like to add, without trying to exert pressure, that if you wish to retire from active service as a priest, the Archdiocese will assist you as it does with other Archdiocesan preiests who retire.

2. From the 21st February 2009 I will appoint Dean Ken Howell, of St Stephen's Cathedral, as Administrator of St Mary's, until a new Administrator is appointed.

From Sunday 22 Februay 2009 regular Masses at 7am and 9am will be celebrated at St Mary's Church until the matter is reviewed. Other sacraments of the Church will be available and can be arranged with Dean Ken Howell. Church goers attached to St Mary's are most welcome to continue, as well as those who wish to return to the parish or those who wish to become new parishioners.

3. I sincerely hope that St Mary's emphasis on social justice will remain. However such matters should be discussed with the new Administrator.

4. Because of its name, chosen originally in 1864, I also hope that sound Marian devotion will be promoted at St Mary's as was normal in the past. I will do whatever I can to facilitate and encourage this devotion.

5. Because there is doubt about the validity of the many baptisms performed at St Mary's, I will nominate a special day in the near future when baptisms can be performed at St Stephen's Cathedral and certificates issued to parents concerned about validity, or those who are adult converts. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith made it clear in March 2008 that invalid baptisms cannot be dismissed and forgotten. They must be corrected.

6. Peter you have already claimed in the media that you may lead people who desire to follow you into a breakaway Christian community elsewhere in South Brisbane. I cannot stop you from doing so. However those who follow you should realise that they will not be in communion with the Roman Catholic Church or the Archdiocese of Brisbane.

Peter, making these decisions gives me no satisfaction whatsoever. The separation of Christians is contrary to all that Christ prayed for. Nor does such division promote the Kingdom of God. You have had ample time to make a considered decision. Please God the division that exists at the present time will be healed in the future, probably not in my time. I ask the priests, deacons, religious and people of the Archdiocese of Brisbane to pray for me and for all who belong to the Archdiocese, especially the community of St Mary's in its present situation. In this matter I pray that Mary the mother of Jesus will be our inspiration and guide as we seek her prayerful support for the healing of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, and St Mary's Parish.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev John A Bathersby DD - ARCHBISHOP OF BRISBANE

[Nihil Obstat]

I'm confused. I think I didn't read this closely enough, but who's the bad guy in this story?

[Apotheoun]

The confused man is named Peter Kennedy (i.e., the soon to be former pastor of St. Mary's Brisbane).

[T-Bone _]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' post='1776084' date='Feb 8 2009, 03:12 PM']I'm confused. I think I didn't read this closely enough, but who's the bad guy in this story?[/quote]

Depends on your point of view. If you want inclusiveness over sound theology, the Archbishop is clearly the bad guy. If you want sound theology and obedience to the Church, then the only bad guy is Satan, and the Priest and his followers are (sadly) playing into his hands.

[puellapaschalis]

Wow, God bless that bishop.

[VeniteAdoremus]

I went to an inclusive parish and asked them to accept me and my feelings.

But they still wouldn't celebrate a Novus Ordo Latin ad orientem mass.

I feel excluded, trodden upon, and very unempowered! Except for, you know, the H. Spirit who's been spoiling me rotten lately, with FSSP masses and such.

[cmotherofpirl]

I think this applies perfectly:
Indeed, the ethic of inclusion in the gospels could be stated: You can come as you are and leave behind what you can, but you may not stay as you were or do as you will.

–The Rt. Rev. Francis Gray

[VeniteAdoremus]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1776332' date='Feb 9 2009, 04:24 AM']I think this applies perfectly:
Indeed, the ethic of inclusion in the gospels could be stated: You can come as you are and leave behind what you can, but you may not stay as you were or do as you will.

–The Rt. Rev. Francis Gray[/quote]

*writes down*

[cappie]

HE priest at the centre of a furore which has seen a South Brisbane parish split from the Catholic Church says he won't go quietly.

Father Peter Kennedy, 71, says he's even prepared to get arrested, but won't be leaving St Mary's Church, despite Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby appointing a replacement to take over in a fortnight.

"The church wants you to pray, pay and obey and John Bathersby's theology is very fundamentalist theology," he said.

"I'm not going away - I know that could be disruptive.

"I might get arrested and so might 20 or 30 or 50 parishioners if they bring the police in.

"If they change the locks, we might change them back."

Father Kennedy, who has been a priest for more than 50 years, came under fire for teaching alternative views, such as allegedly rejecting the divinity of Jesus, and for allowing what appeared to be a Buddhist statue in the church.

He denied the statue was Buddhist, saying it was a monk praying, who could have been Christian.

However, he spoke out against traditional Catholic teachings, in particular Jesus' mother Mary being a virgin.

"Can you possibly think any individual can believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary," he said.

"In the medieval times you might have understood that, but do you expect modern people today to believe that somehow she was impregnated with the Holy Spirit?"

Father Kennedy said he didn't have faith in the Pope, but wanted to remain a practising Catholic priest.

"You've got to be relevant to people's lives - Jesus broke the rules all the time for the sake of the people," he said.

"It's not we who are in schism with the Catholic Church, The Catholic Church is not in sync with its own people."

Archbishop Bathersby yesterday declared some sacraments performed by Father Kennedy were not legitimate and said he would nominate a future date for "valid baptisms".

He said those who followed Father Kennedy were not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

[url="http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25030739-3102,00.html"]http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0...39-3102,00.html[/url]

[Vincent Vega]

Edited.
Is this man going to be defrocked?
In my opinion he is a disgrace to the priesthood and to the Church.

Edited February 9, 2009 by USAirwaysIHS

[puellapaschalis]

Whatever happened to a priest's vow of obedience to his bishop at ordination?!

[T-Bone _]

[quote name='puellapaschalis' post='1777105' date='Feb 9 2009, 04:10 PM']Whatever happened to a priest's vow of obedience to his bishop at ordination?![/quote]

Adam and Eve were obedient until Satan whispered into their ears.

I pray that this priest starts listening to God, and stops leading his followers astray.

[cappie]

CONTROVERSIAL priest Fr Peter Kennedy will stage a sit-in at St Mary’s Catholic Church rather than hand over his South Brisbane parish to an administrator after February 21.
He exclusively told the City South News this morning he would pursue an agenda of ``peaceful rebellion’’ including sleeping in the church, staging rallies and organising protest concerts after he was sacked by Archbishop John Bathersby at the weekend.
``It’s a very defiant act we’re doing here but we’ve got the numbers, we’ve got the support,’’ Fr Kennedy said.
``I know my people. I’m not just overly optimistic. I know the energy out there is huge. It’s not about confrontation, it’s not about violence.’’

BRISBANE'S Catholic archbishop says he's received hate mail since a priest was given his marching orders, but he stands by the decision.

Archbishop Bathersby said he had received hundreds of letters from across Australia supporting the decision as well as people who strongly disagreed with it.

But despite the mixed response he does not believe the decision will fracture the Brisbane church community.

"It's awful when Christians fight with each other. Some of the things that have been said in letters to me were totally unacceptable - you wonder how such a person is a Christian or claiming to be a Christian," Archbishop Bathersby told ABC Radio.

"They're cursing me to damnation and telling me I should retire, I should resign, get out of the job.

"You know it really is hurtful stuff but at the same time I have received a lot of letters of people there who are courteous and very strong about South Brisbane.

"I have also received a lot of letters disagreeing with Father Peter."

The Archbishop says the practices are out of communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

He says he made the decision to sack Father Kennedy himself.

"I have not sought the advice of the Vatican," he said.

"This is part of the job of being an Archbishop.

"I've never been happier in my life than I am at the present time and never been more certain of the whole joy and happiness of the Christian vision."

The archbishop said St Mary's was selling books that said Jesus was not the son of God and questioned the divinity of Jesus.

"Once you get into that particular area you're separate from the Roman Catholic Church," he said.