Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Items "removed" from St Mary's

Minutes from a meeting of Brisbane's Central Deanery list a series of items including a candleholder, timber table and vestments that were "removed" from South Brisbane's St Mary's church but former administrator Fr Peter Kennedy denies any wrongdoing.

Fr Kennedy said they belonged either to him personally or the church community and not the Brisbane Catholic Archdiocese, The Courier-Mail reports.

Fr Kennedy said 20 years ago he had contributed $4,500 towards the cost of the piano, which is now located in the Trades and Labour Council building where the breakaway St Mary's community has worshipped since Fr Kennedy finished up on April 19.

"The community also raised some money through holding concerts," Fr Kennedy said.

"The table was made by myself and a carpenter from timber from the Natural Arch area. I also had the Paschal Candle holder made and a faithful member of our congregation, Gordon Smith, now deceased, paid for it."

"The implication, of course, is that we have stolen these things and this is simply not true," he said.

Attendances at the St Mary's-in-Exile services remain high.

Around 300 people attended Sunday morning's Mass at the TLC building, compared to around 40 at St Mary's, which is now under the administration of St Stephen's Cathedral dean, Fr Ken Howell.

Fr Howell said he had written to Fr Kennedy before he'd taken over the parish asking for an inventory, but hadn't received a reply.

"Until I'm across all the facts, I'll just have to wait and see," he told The Courier-Mail.
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Source (CTHN)

SV (ED)