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	Sacked Priest, Fr Kennedy, Celebrates Mass at St Mary's Catholic Church By Michael McKenna The Australian February 22, 2009 http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25090190-5006786,00.html REBEL priest Father Peter Kennedy defied the Catholic Church by conducting mass today, after being sacked by Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby last week. More than a thousand people attended the service at St Mary's church in South Brisbane in support of Fr Kennedy, who was sacked for refusing to stop unorthodox practices such as blessing gay couples and selling books that questioned the divinity of Jesus. The parish's newly appointed priest, Fr Ken Howell, stayed away after being advised by police not to attend following revelations on Saturday that Archbishop Bathersby had been the target of a bomb threat. "It's sad the Archbishop is not here because if he was he could not turn away from this community," Fr Kennedy told the parish on Sunday morning. Refusing to stand down, Fr Kennedy reassured members he would be at the next Sunday mass. He then led them into two hymns, aimed at the church, including: "Will you love me, as I have loved you". Fr Kennedy rejected the idea of a parish member resorting to bomb threats, saying no one wanted a confrontation but rather understanding. Parish member Tadgh Carter agreed. "I don't think it would be coming from this community. It's not the way we do things," Mr Carter said. "It could be anyone who has a grudge against the Catholic church." Mother of three, Nena Morgante, has been going to St Mary's for 25 years. "I think the church should not be afraid to let people worship and be part of the Catholic community how they feel and want to be (part of it)," Ms Morgante said. "This church is unorthodox and then there are traditional ones. Both have a place." At the end of the service, the congregation chanted "we shall not be moved". A protest march is expected to take place at 3pm (AEST).
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