A DAY and night of confrontation was expected, but the congregation at St Mary's Catholic Church in South Brisbane spent a significant part of last night in silent reflection. About 1000 assembled at the church, mainly in support of embattled priest Peter Kennedy, who received his marching orders last week after a long-running dispute with the Brisbane Archdiocese.
Archbishop John Bathersby formally terminated Father Kennedy's tenure over the controversial priest's unorthodox practices, which included blessing homosexual couples, not wearing traditional vestments and allowing parishioners to lead parts of the service.
At last night's Mass, long-time parishioner Nina Morgente delivered the homily on the theme of forgiveness.
She spoke of the fighting spirit of the St Mary's community, likening Father Kennedy and assistant priest Father Terry Fitzpatrick to birds who took on the task of building a "renewed church".
"We are a community who tried damned hard to make those birds fly," Ms Morgente said.
The furore over St Mary's has reached the Vatican and, since Christmas, Archbishop Bathersby has been under increasing pressure to resolve the situation.
Yesterday, police warned Archbishop Bathersby and Father Kennedy's temporary replacement, St Stephen's Dean Ken Howell, to stay away from St Mary's after the archbishop received a bomb threat at his office.
Police confirmed they were investigating the source of the letter, which mentioned the words "bomb" and "St Mary's" and was directed at the archbishop's private residence at New Farm.
Father Howell yesterday said he would not preside over services at St Mary's today out of concerns for his safety.
"I have also been contacted by a number of people, saying they would like to attend [my] services but are hesitant to do so because they are concerned about their … safety," Father Howell said.
"I have been a priest for 25 years, and I will not engage in a situation whereby the celebration of the Mass becomes a place of conflict and division.
"I don't believe that anyone would attend this weekend's services with the intention of behaving violently.
"However, tensions are high, people are upset, and Father Kennedy has urged as many people as possible to attend the service in a spirit of protest."
Up to 1000 are expected at today's services, after last night's Mass and solidarity concert, which featured a vocal performance by Father Kennedy, who took singing lessons in anticipation of the event.
At a meeting on Friday with Father Howell, Father Kennedy refused to hand over the keys to the parish buildings.
Father Kennedy said he would officiate at all Masses today. The liturgy would take the same form it had done for the past two decades.
"I'm expecting probably 1000 people here on Sunday morning - I wouldn't be surprised," Father Kennedy said.
"I have to tell you our collection on Sunday morning is usually $2100 - last Sunday it was $5400 - so that says a lot."
Archbishop Bathersby has agreed to enter mediation with Father Kennedy.
"I believe a sensible next step would be to have an experienced, independent and eminent mediator meet with the archdiocese and Father Kennedy to attempt to achieve a peaceful and dignified outcome to the current impasse," Archbishop Bathersby said.
"I would strongly urge Father Kennedy to participate in this process."
However, experts believe the impasse has inflicted serious damage to the Catholic Church's image.
Ethicist Trevor Jordan, a former president of the Australian Association of Studies of Religion, said those who believed there had been a miscarriage of justice over Father Kennedy's sacking might question their faith entirely.
Congregants who were entering the church for the first time or returning after decades of absence had found solidarity in St Mary's social ministry, he said.
"There are no thoughtless Christians at St Mary's; they're there for a reason," Dr Jordan said.
"The change will therefore affect them personally. There will be many facing a considerable dilemma.
"Many will not find a new home … many will not want to adapt."
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(Source: SMHC)