Jesus also unorthodox: rebel Qld priest

[Tamrin]

Jesus also unorthodox
rebel Qld priest

[Excerpt - Article, ninemsn.com, 15 February 2009 - Linked Above]

Rebel Catholic priest Father Peter Kennedy has defended his church's social activism, telling a packed St Mary's church in South Brisbane that Jesus also was harshly criticised for unorthodox behaviour.

Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane John Bathersby has terminated Fr Kennedy's appointment from next Saturday, February 21. Fr Kennedy is trying to appeal the sacking under the church's canon law.

The Vatican is unhappy because the church conducts unorthodox masses, allows women to preach and blesses homosexual couples.

St Mary's on Sunday once again was packed and the congregation of around 600 loudly applauded the turbulent priest after his sermon.

[Tamrin]

Rebel priest slams his replacement

[Excerpt - Article by Tony Bartlett, ninemsn.com, 19 February 2009 - Linked Above]

A rebel Catholic priest who is facing the sack by the Vatican has described the man sent in by Brisbane's archbishop to replace him as a religious scab.

Father Peter Kennedy, the parish priest at St Mary's in South Brisbane, said he had been given until noon (AEST) Wednesday to resign or be removed.

Fr Kennedy said on Wednesday night there had been no sign of a threatened decree from the Archbishop of Brisbane John Bathersby announcing his sacking.

He says there's no way he'll resign and he remains determined to conduct Mass at St Mary's on Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

"I'll be declared a heretic by Sunday," said Fr Kennedy.

The 71-year-old rebel says the Dean of the area, Father Ken Howell, who has been appointed by Archbishop Bathersby as the new administrator of St Mary's parish, intends to say Mass at 7am on Sunday.

"But I'm not sure who's going to be there because we've never had Mass at 7am on Sunday before," he said.

"I'm a bit afraid a rent-a-crowd like the Burpengary Opus Dei type possibly could turn up.