Father Peter Kennedy, of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in South Brisbane, has been sacked by the Archbishop. Archbishop John Bathersby has sacked Fr. Kennedy because he has been blessing homosexual unions and celebrating the Mass in ways that are not campatible with Church doctrine.
In a video provided by news.ninemsn.com.au, Fr. Kennedy argues against claims by the Archbishop that he has harmed the ecclesiastical community, and his parishoners are supporting him.
We have broken litergical rules
Fr. Kennedy publicly admits it. Why then, is he complaining about being sacked as a Catholic priest? What would you expect? How can you claim to be a Catholic priest when you do not abide by the very rules that make you one?
Our community is as valid as any other community
This one makes me laugh. Of course it is a valid community, but what type of community? You cannot be a valid member of a pro-life community and a pro-abortion community at the same time – you would be living a life of contradiction. You cannot be a valid member of the police force and an organised crime group at the same time – you could only be a valid member to one or the other. In the same way, a Catholic Church community cannot be valid if it does not abide by Catholic Church doctrine.
Our mass is a valid mass. We celebrate the mass in a way that is relevant to Australian Catholics rather than in totally one line that comes out from Rome
Is Fr. Kennedy actually rejecting the authority of Rome here? If he is, then how on earth could he consider himself and his community a part of the Roman Catholic Church? If he has got any wisdom at all, he could have a valid Catholic community and celebrate the mass in a way that is relevant to Australian Catholics at the same time – it is not like that is a task that Catholic priests in Australia have found incredibly hard to do.
In the end, we have a community who claims to be ’Catholic’ yet they break litergical rules and Catholic Church doctrine. Excuse me while I turn around and giggle to myself. Catholicism is a religion. You are either a part of that religion or not. How can a person claim to be a valid member of a religious organisation if he twists and turns the rules and teachings of that religion to suit himself? He cannot be a valid member that religion, because what he is doing is making up a religion of his own.
The community of St. Mary’s in Bisbane South must face the facts. If they wish to continue to uphold their beliefs and practices, they must join some protestant Christian community or start up their own, because they do not have the right to call themselves proud Catholics.
I didn’t hear about this, I wonder, was he given any warnings?
I agree he shouldn’t have been blessing gay couples, but I understand where he is coming from. I don’t think he would be for what they are doing, but more or less showing compassion for them. Which IS exactly how we are to treat homosexual people, with compassion!!! I wrote a piece about this awhile ago.
I think there may have been a misunderstanding about the mass thing, I think you’re being too critical here, I was under the impression that priests were allowed to have their own spin on mass, in my experience of Catholic masses they are always a bit different at different places. But thats just my opinion, and I guess I am just looking on bright side.
But there has to be some good about the man, I mean was called to be a priest. and maybe if you met him you might understand where he is coming from..
The layout was a little bit weird, but it was a well written piece. Thanks for the update I had no idea that this occured. Thanks Vince!!!
God bless.
By: Ashley on February 21, 2009
at 11:31 am
Hi Ashley.
I should have mentioned that the Archbishop had given this priest prior warnings.
Yes we do treat homosexual couples with compassion, but they cannot recieve Holy Communion because they are living in a state of mortal sin. Any person who has committed a mortal sin (ex. murder) cannot recieve Holy Communion unless they first confess their sin through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and do not commit such a sin again.
Now the Mass. The Mass can be twisted in any way a priest wishes, as long as NO litergical OR cannonical rules are broken. Fr. Kennedy has clearly been breaking litergical and cannonical rules for a long time now.
The Catholic Church’s arms are open to homosexuals, provinding they are willing to devote their lives to God and turn from their sins. But until they have their lives on the right track, they are unable to receive Holy Communion. The Church is handling the situation the best possible way.
Vincent
By: Vincent on February 21, 2009
at 4:36 pm