Parishioner Found Peace through Cleric, Marissa Calligeros, Brisbane Times, February 22, 2009

Parishioner Found Peace through Cleric

By Marissa Calligeros
Brisbane Times
February 22, 2009

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/bparishioner-found-peace-through-clericb/2009/02/22/1235237415404.html

Support for priest . . . the O'Dea family (clockwise from top left) Katie, Liam, 8, Neeve, 3, Ailish, 5, and Sinead, 1 Marissa Calligeros

THE Brisbane church at the centre of a feud between Archbishop John Bathersby and a maverick cleric has been for decades a parish "on the fringe".

The 700-strong St Mary's congregation, led by embattled 71-year-old priest Peter Kennedy has a ministry in the inner city and is widely acknowledged as a haven for the poor, the marginalised, indigenous people, homosexuals and broken families.

At the centre of a four-year-long furore, which culminated last week with the Catholic Church terminating Father Kennedy's position, were accusations the South Brisbane priest contravened Catholic doctrine by allowing women to preach at Mass, and using unorthodox wording in baptisms.

For parishioner Katie O'Dea, who delivered the homily at her daughter's baptism in December, St Mary's ground was most sacred because it was a space of inclusion. At her Stafford Heights home, Ms O'Dea told The Sun-Herald Father Kennedy, who was present at the birth of her third daughter, Sinead, had empowered her as a mother and a Catholic woman.

"The opportunity to talk to my people, in my Catholic Church, about the job I believe I do best - being the best mother I can be - felt like a chance for me to live Jesus's message," Ms O'Dea said.

"I felt a great sense of peace and joy at Sinead's initiation into the Church, through my involvement."

Ms O'Dea has shared - from the altar - the story of her pregnancy and Sinead's birth with the congregation. "This is the reason that St Mary's is so popular - it gives people a real connection with others who go out of their way to love them and support them on their journey," she said.

The O'Deas and others have been told their baptisms will not be recognised because of Father Kennedy's departures from traditional rites. Archbishop Bathersby first raised concerns with Father Kennedy over his baptismal formula in 2004.

This month the archbishop declared that baptisms performed using the words, "I baptise you in the name of the Creator, and of the Liberator, and of the Sustainer", as Father Kenndy did, were invalid.

Ms O'Dea, whose four children were baptised at St Mary's, said she was insulted and annoyed at the archbishop's remarks.

"My children all identify with St Mary's as their place of belonging, where people have watched them grow with a keen interest," she said.

Father Kennedy asked his critics to look to the founder of Christianity.

"People who are not part of our community will make judgements about us because of our so-called unorthodox behaviour," he said.

"But we can take heart from the words of Jesus himself, who was judged harshly for his unorthodox behaviour: 'By their fruits you will know them'."

Archbishop Bathersby has appointed Dean Ken Howell from St Stephen's to handle the administration of St Mary's while a new priest is found.

Father Kennedy is expected to mount a legal challenge against his dismissal from St Mary's.