The gay-friendly Catholic parish in South Brisbane that has angered the Vatican over its liberal ways looks set to infuriate church conservatives yet again.But this time, the Pope's own words have been used in the 'renegade' parish's defence.
A new banner has been unfurled at St Mary's Catholic Church featuring the words: "Everone has a place in the church, every person without exception should be able to feel at home and never rejected".
The quote comes from a speech Pope Benedict XVI made last month in France, gay Catholic activist and St Mary's parishioner Tony Robertson told Queensland Pride.
St Mary's made national headlines again this week after it was revealed a recent video of a baptism at St Mary's had been posted on YouTube.
The video showed resident priest Terry Fitzpatrick using the words, "We baptise you in the name of the creator, sustainer and liberator of life", adding "who is also father, son and spirit".
The parish's "non-sexist" liturgy has been criticised repeatedly by church conservatives as "wrong".
The parish's accepting attitude towards openly gay parishioners has also upset conservatives, who have complained direct to the Vatican.
In May, the Archbishop of Brisbane, John Bathersby, was prompted to issue an ultimatum to the parish over its use of unauthorised liturgy, allowance of women and other lay preachers, and the presence of a small statue some considered to be Buddhist.
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(Source: QP)