Greg Roberts; 1/12/08
The stage is set for a showdown between the liberal and traditionalist wings of the Catholic Church following a decision by the renegade Brisbane parish of St Mary’s to defy a Vatican ultimatum. A meeting of St Mary’s parishioners yesterday endorsed a letter to Brisbane Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby that rejected a series of church demands. The St Mary’s parish and its priests, Peter Kennedy and Terry Fitzpatrick, may be excommunicated for their stand. Under pressure from the Vatican, Archbishop Bathersby had given the church until today to fall in line with traditionalist standards. In a letter to be hand-delivered to the archbishop today, the St Mary’s community rejects the Vatican’s claim that it is not in communion with the Catholic Church.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24731145-5013404,00.html
Tags: Australia, Christianity