ARCHBISHOP John Bathersby’s loss of confidence in Fr Peter Kennedy as pastor ultimately led to his decree terminating the former administrator’s role at St Mary’s parish, South Brisbane, a Brisbane archdiocesan spokesman said.
Fr Kennedy was removed as St Mary’s administrator on February 19.
Canon lawyer and chancellor of the archdiocese Fr Adrian Farrelly said the Archbishop no longer has confidence in Fr Kennedy’s ability to lead the parish in a way that is in keeping with Catholic Church practice.
Fr Farrelly said some teachings and practices were essential to maintaining Catholic identity.
He said St Mary’s, under Fr Kennedy’s leadership, had grown in many ways, such as concerns for social justice and becoming a welcoming community but many of his beliefs and practices were not those of the Catholic Church.
“What is at issue now and caused the Archbishop to act is that Fr Kennedy, as he is reported saying ‘is embarrassed to be a Catholic’.
“He no longer believes in the Virgin birth and questions the existence of heaven and hell,” Fr Farrelly said.
“His view of the role of the presider at the Eucharist and how to baptise is at odds with Church teaching.
“He has rejected Church discipline as regards who can be married in the Church. As a result, the Archbishop has lost confidence in Fr Kennedy’s ability to shepherd a Catholic parish.
“The Archbishop has met with Fr Kennedy as well as writing to him over the past five years. Fr Kennedy has refused to change his beliefs and practices, leaving the Archbishop with no choice but to terminate his appointment and install Fr Ken Howell as administrator.”
After his announcement as the new administrator, Fr Howell met with Fr Kennedy and other members of the St Mary’s parish on February 20.
At that meeting, Fr Kennedy said he would not hand over the keys to the parish, that he would preside over all Masses for the coming weekend and that the liturgy at St Mary’s would not change from its current form.
Fr Howell, subsequently, met with officers from the Queensland Police Service who strongly advised him not to attend Masses at St Mary’s over last weekend on the grounds that there may be a danger to public safely.
