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	Sacked priest, Father Peter Kennedy, rejects mediated talks The Australian February 22, 2009 http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25090190-5006786,00.html REBEL priest Father Peter Kennedy has rejected proposed mediated talks with Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby unless moves to sack him from St Mary's church are abandoned. After an estimated 1600 people turned out for Sunday morning mass at the inner-city Brisbane church, Fr Kennedy vowed he would continue to defy Dr Bathersby's decree last week to remove him as administrator of St Mary's Church while he has the support of the congregation. Parishioners spilled out into the grounds of the church, as the 9am service was led by Fr Kennedy and colleague, Fr Terry Fitzpatrick with both receiving standing ovations and the service ending with a rendition of the protest song "We Shall Not be Moved''. A scheduled 7am service - to be led by Fr Kennedy's nominated replacement, Father Ken Howell, Dean of St Stephen's cathedral - was cancelled yesterday on advice from Queensland police. It followed revelations that Dr Bathersby had been the subject of a bomb threat, contained in a letter and sent after he formally sacked Fr Kennedy. A statement issued by Dr Bathersby's office on Saturday said police had advised Fr Howell not to attend the church at the weekend, when Dr Bathersby's decree came into effect. Dr Bathersby sacked Father Kennedy after a dispute over the use of lay people and politically correct language in services, which has divided the Brisbane diocese for years. The dismissal of Father Kennedy, a priest for 50 years, is believed to be the first of its kind within Australia's Catholic Church. Before the service ended, Fr Kennedy assured parishioners he would be back next week for Sunday mass. And he implored Dr Bathersby to attend a St Mary's service. "It is sad that he is not here today because if he was here, he couldn't possibly move against this community,'' Fr Kennedy told the service. "We are a Vatican II community - at least we try to be.'' Outside church, Fr Kennedy said he saw no point in proposed mediation talks with Dr Bathersby. "These allegations against us have not been tested, there has been no justice in this process,'' he said. "So we will continue...I take my authority from the people. "If they didn't want me, then I would go.''
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