Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby has said he is prepared to call in the police at St Mary's parish, South Brisbane but ousted administrator Fr Peter Kennedy says that he will not be breaking any laws. "It's not a situation I want to face, but nevertheless, with advice, I'll do what I have to do," Archbishop Bathersby told The Courier-Mail.
"I would hope it would not come to that because it wouldn't be good for South Brisbane, it wouldn't be good for the Church, it wouldn't be good for Christianity in general."
Archbishop Bathersby was responding to threats by Fr Kennedy to stage a sit-in at the church rather than hand over his parish to an administrator after February 21.
Fr Kennedy said he would pursue an agenda of "peaceful rebellion" including sleeping in the church, staging rallies and celebrating Mass.
"It's a very defiant act we're doing here but we've got the numbers, we've got the support," Fr Kennedy, who has served the parish since 1980, said.
He said the campaign of peaceful disobedience would start on February 20, the day before his appointment ends.
"I intend from that night on to sleep in the choir loft," he said.
"If other people want to sleep in the church with me, they are more than welcome."
He told City South News he planned to lead 7am and 9am Mass with his congregation on February 22 despite Archbishop Bathersby appointing Fr Ken Howell as St Mary's temporary administrator from that date.
"They wouldn't try and remove me, that would be a media disaster," Fr Kennedy said earlier.
"I've always said I was prepared to be arrested but so are so many other people; people much older than me too.
Fr Kennedy backs away from earlier statements
Subsequently two officers from the neighbouring West End police station visited Fr Kennedy after reading in The Courier-Mail that Archbishop Bathersby intended enlisting their aid.
Fr Kennedy said the officers were well known to many in the St Mary's community who worked with disadvantaged people in the area and had conveyed to him their concern about being "the meat in the sandwich".
"They said they wouldn't be taking sides. So long as we don't break any civil laws, they won't be taking any action," Fr Kennedy said.
"I have assured them that I won't be doing anything to break the law."
Fr Kennedy reiterated his intent to continue to attend services at St Mary's after his termination date, but said he did not intend to lead the masses.
He told The Courier-Mail that Dean Ken Howell was "welcome" to lead the Mass.
"I don't intend to lead the Eucharist, I would simply be there," Fr Kennedy said.
He said he was shocked to read of the Archbishop's threat of forcible expulsion.
His eyes filled with tears as he considered the events of the past week.
"I feel no hostility to the Archbishop," he said.
"I've thanked him often for letting us be.
"To me its the betrayal thing. You give your life to this church and you've been a part of it. I've enjoyed being a priest all my life.
"You create a new way of being church - a Vatican II type of church - and you're told by John Bathersby that it's 'Filthy pride'."
St Mary's he said was being penalised for being alive, vital and filled with love.
Archbishop Bathersby responds
In an interview with The Courier-Mail, Archbishop Bathersby said he anticipated the sacking of the 71 year old rogue priest would result in many members of the congregation leaving St Mary's, but warned Fr Kennedy faced excommunication if he continued in the same vein.
"To deny Jesus was (the) Son of God is to absolutely destroy the Christian faith," Archbishop Bathersby said in relation to reported comments by Fr Kennedy.
The Archbishop also questioned the legitimacy of some marriages over which Fr Kennedy presided.
He also acknowledged the situation had caused a considerable backlash in the Catholic community.
"Here are Christians writing to me and calling me the most abominable names and cursing me to kingdom come - (saying) 'may you fry in hell's fire forever and ever'," he said.
"Not to mention the real swear words that come through the phone and these are supposed to be members of the Christian community."
St Mary's Parish has also received numerous abusive phone calls and letters, but Archbishop Bathersby said he did not condone such behaviour from his supporters.
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(Source: CTHN)