Breakaway priest refuses to recant teachings, archbishop intervenes
<http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15036>http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15036
[]
Fr. Peter Kennedy / Archbishop John Bathersby
Related articles:
* <resource.htm>Adam: High priest of humanity
* <resource.htm>Bishops announce Novena for Faithful Citizenship,
to be prayed before November elections
* <resource.htm>Do Christians Need Only the Bible?
* <resource.htm>Mary Help of Christians
Brisbane, Feb 10, 2009 / 12:10 am
(<http://www.catholicnewsagency.com>CNA).- Archbishop of Brisbane
John A. Bathersby has urged a disobedient priest not to take members
of his parish into schism, saying the separation of Christians is
"contrary to all that Christ prayed for."
Father Peter Kennedy, 71, is the administrator of St. Mary's Church
in South Brisbane. He has allegedly rejected the divinity of Jesus
and has denied the virginity of Mary.
"Can you possibly think any individual can believe that Jesus was
born of the Virgin Mary," the priest said, according to the Courier
Mail. He claimed that the article of faith may have been credible in
"the medieval times" but is not believable for modern people.
The priest also argued that Archbishop Bathersby has a "very
fundamentalist theology."
According to the Courier Mail, Father Kennedy said he didn't have
faith in the Pope but wanted to remain an active 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 claimed.
In a Friday letter, Archbishop Bathersby responded to Fr. Kennedy's
Jan. 12 letter asking to meet for further discussion.
"I see no reason to do so. I have repeatedly asked for changes but
you and the community have not budged an inch," the archbishop wrote.
"Moreover South Brisbane's instant disclosure of my letters and
comments in the media gives me no reason to enter into discussion."
The archbishop said there is doubt about the validity of many
baptisms performed at the parish and announced that he would name a
special day at St. Stephen's Cathedral to perform and certify
baptisms for parents or adult converts who are concerned about the
validity of St. Mary's Church baptisms.
Archbishop Bathersby's letter notified Fr. Kennedy that he will be
removed as parish administrator by Saturday, Feb. 21.
"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 priests who retire," he wrote.
Announcing that Dean Ken Howell of St. Stephen's Cathedral will be
replacing Fr. Kennedy, the archbishop said regular Masses will be
celebrated at the parish and the sacraments will be available.
"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," the bishop added.
Expressing hope that St. Mary's emphasis on social justice will
continue, he also said he hoped "sound Marian devotion" will be
promoted at the parish "as was normal in the past."
"I will do whatever I can to facilitate and encourage this devotion,"
the archbishop continued.
Noting that Father Kennedy has claimed he may lead others into a
breakaway sect, Archbishop Bathersby said he cannot stop the move.
"However those who follow you should realize that they will not be in
communion with the Roman Catholic Church or the Archdiocese of
Brisbane," he advised.
Archbishop Bathersby said the decisions gave him 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 also 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,"
Archbishop Bathersby's letter closed.
Father Kennedy said he is prepared to be arrested at the church and
claimed a few dozen parishioners may try to be arrested as well.
<*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/on+allposters+today.html>on
AllPosters today <*}}}><<*}}}><
<http://astore.amazon.com/halthekin-20>Catholic on Amazon <*}}}><
+
<*}}}>< <http://www.holypostage.com/>Holy Postage <*}}}><
<*}}}><<http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Half the
<http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Kingdom!<*}}}><
+ "The fruit of abortion is nuclear war" - Bl. Mother Teresa +
--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
Please note that I do not send or open attachments sent to this list.
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Catholics on Fire" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected]
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected]
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/Catholics-on-Fire
May the blessing of Jesus and our Blessed Mother be with you
-~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
