THE former Gold Coast priest sent to rescue a Brisbane congregation faces a direct challenge from the maverick clergyman he replaces in a unprecedented face-off on Sunday morning.Father Ken Howell, formerly of Burleigh Heads, is the Vatican's man to take over from rebel Brisbane Priest Father Peter Kennedy who was sacked yesterday for breaching church rules 'out of communion with the Roman Catholic Church'.
Fr Howell expects to conduct mass on Sunday at 7am but then faces a bizarre situation at the 9am service Fr Kennedy has declared he will lead, despite being removed from his position by Archbishop of Brisbane John Bathersby yesterday.
Fr Howell has extended the hand of forgiveness to his controversial colleague who offered an apology yesterday after labelling his replacement a 'religious scab' on Wednesday.
Fr Howell, a former administrator of the Burleigh Heads Parish and current Dean of St Stephen's Cathedral, has been handed interim control of Brisbane's St Mary's Catholic Parish.
Hailing from a blue-collar family, Fr Howell was a dedicated student educated at St James College in Brisbane's Valley district, described by colleagues as an exemplary man devoted to the community and his work within the church.
He was ordained into the Catholic Church at the Banyo Seminary in 1984. Fr Howell worked around the Brisbane district before relocating to the Gold Coast where he was an associate pastor in the Burleigh Heads Parish from 1987 to 1990.
During that time Fr Howell worked hard in the region's schools and hospitals while developing strong connections with parishioners at Burleigh Heads.
Fr Howell returned to the Gold Coast in 1993 as administrator of the Burleigh Heads Parish, continuing his work both in the church and community.
Burleigh Heads Pastor Father Pat Molony, who replaced Fr Howell when he left the Coast in 1994, described his colleague as a devout priest committed to his job and who was well regarded by everyone who knew him.
"(Fr Howell) is an exemplary priest who is at his job seven days a week without a fuss," said Fr Molony. "He has always been heavily involved with charities and he has worked tirelessly at all the hospitals and schools."
Upon leaving the Coast, Fr Howell studied liturgy in Rome for three years, returning to Brisbane as the Director of Liturgy before being appointed to his current position as Dean of St Stephen's Cathedral.
Speaking to The Bulletin yesterday, Fr Howell said his first priority was to ensure there was a process of healing.
"I'm confident everyone can come together and I have always believed in the goodwill of people," said Fr Howell, who will lead prayers for victims of the Victorian bushfires on Sunday.
"It is important that the mass be a time of prayer and not protest.
"My hope is that in time we can move forward as a vibrant united community."
Fr Howell will serve in the position while maintaining his role as Dean of St Stephen's Cathedral until a replacement is appointed.
Fr Howell said he wanted to ensure the church continued reaching out to people at social and economic disadvantage.
Fr Kennedy, who is seeking the advice of a barrister on an appeal, said yesterday he intended to celebrate the 9am mass.
"I am determined to go ahead and hold mass," he said.
Fr Kennedy said he expected about 1000 people to crowd into the church.
Archbishop of Brisbane John Bathersby issued Fr Kennedy with the decree this week, which set a deadline of noon on Wednesday for him to step down.
It was the most severe punishment seen in the church since the 1929 Mungana Affair.
Fr Kennedy had come under fire for unorthodox practices such as allowing women to preach and blessing homosexual couples.
Catholic authorities have also raised questions about the validity of baptisms at St Mary's.
The row has created a rift, with members of his congregation vowing to fight the move to sack the priest and saying they will rally against the Archbishop's action.
"The community at St Mary's Catholic Church in South Brisbane is deeply disappointed with the way they have been treated by the Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane John Bathersby," said a statement from the church community yesterday.
"The community also reiterates its support for Fr Peter Kennedy as priest, visionary, leader and man of faith, integrity and compassion."
Local Aborigines have vowed to establish a tent embassy on St Mary's land.
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(Source: BTC)