Friday, March 20, 2009

Sacked priest takes church to court

Rebel priest Father Peter Kennedy has launched legal action against the Catholic Church in Brisbane.

Legal documents lodged in the Queensland Supreme Court on Wednesday show Fr Kennedy is seeking an injunction on his removal as administrator of St Mary's church in South Brisbane until the matter can be heard in court.

Fr Kennedy was sacked last month after Archbishop John Bathersby issued a decree of removal.

The decree, which has also been filed in the Supreme Court, cites Fr Kennedy's continued refusal to adhere to the teachings and practices of the Catholic Church.

In the decree, Archbishop Bathersby said Fr Kennedy had "caused harm to ecclesiastical communion in spite of frequent requests from me to do otherwise".

Court documents reveal Fr Kennedy wants the decree withdrawn.

The legal action comes just days after lawyers for Fr Kennedy confirmed he had refused independent mediation over the matter.

The mediation was to have been facilitated by former High Court judge Ian Callinan, QC.

No date has been set for a court hearing of the matter.
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(Source: WST)