Rebel priest in Brisbane might accept mediation on removal

February 27, 2009

The Archdiocese of Brisbane, Australia, has announced that Father Peter Kennedy has agreed to accept mediation of his dispute with Archbishop John Bathersby, who relieved him of his duty as a pastor of St. Mary's parish in South Brisbane. But a later report from that parish suggests that the pastor's acceptance of mediation may itself be the subject of some dispute.

As the crisis in the wayward parish continues, one newspaper columnist described a typical Sunday service at St. Mary's as "more like a yoga session." Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, Miranda Devine said: "While you can feel pity for Bathersby, the mess is his own making. Having tolerated Kennedy's antics for years, and having presided over the transformation of Brisbane into the most progressive and least disciplined archdiocese in the country, he can hardly be surprised by the result."

In a truly bizarre illustration of how far the South Brisbane parish has strayed from normal Catholic life, the leader of a native aborigine group has insisted that Archbishop Bathersby must recognize a "treaty" that Father Kennedy accepted on behalf of his parish.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Rebel priest agrees to mediation (Brisbane Times)
• St Mary's mediation hopes may be premature (Courier Mail)
• If you don't like the rules, start your own church (Sydney Morning Herald)
• Brisbane Catholic Archbishop accused of racial discrimination (Treaty Now Blog)