VICTORIAN of the Year Father Bob Maguire says he is being made to
quit his post as parish priest against his will, and that his ejection
could unravel his community work.
Father Maguire is due to step down as parish priest at South Melbourne's
Church of St Peter and St Paul on February 1 next year, as he agreed in
a letter to the Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, in 2009.
But the celebrity Catholic priest said yesterday that he was
''pressured'' into writing the letter and in fact wants to remain in the
job beyond that date, as his position as parish priest is integral to
the church's work in the community.
''Why would you go to the trouble of breaking up the relationship when
in fact everybody seems to be agreeing that it's a bloody good thing?''
he said.
Father Maguire resisted an attempt by Archbishop Hart two years ago to
nudge him into retirement upon his 75th birthday, winning an extension
in the role until February 1, 2012.
''In 2009 I was pressured into signing a letter of resignation,'' he
said. ''I turned 75 and [Archbishop Hart] said 'look, the custom now is
to offer your resignation and if you offer it, I'll take it'. So I said,
'I don't know that I'll offer it'.''
Father Maguire - best known for his appearances on TV and radio
alongside comedian John Safran, but also for his work with the homeless
and the poor - said he could not understand why he was being singled out
for retirement when many Catholic priests continue to work well beyond
the age of 75.
But Archbishop Hart said the move was ''consistent with
canon law, which asks a priest who turns 75 to offer his resignation''.
''While there may be older parish priests in Victoria their appointment
is dependent on the assessment by the local bishop of the circumstances
of the priest, parish and diocese,'' the archbishop added.
Now 77 but still committed to his church and community work, Father
Maguire questioned whether it was his attention-grabbing style, rather
than his age, behind the move.
''Maybe the Roman style currently prevailing in the Catholic Church thinks that I'm a bogan,'' he said.
Father Maguire was named Victorian of the Year last week for his
community service work.
He dedicated the award to his parishioners,
saying they had joined him in reaching out to the local community,
especially those living in South Melbourne's public housing estate.
Archbishop Hart also praised Father Maguire's community work, saying he
had ''thoroughly deserved the Victorian of the Year award''.