Suburban Catholic church tests the tolerance of Rome
Andrew Fraser ; 4/10/08
It sounds like something out of a thriller novel, not the doings of a suburban Catholic parish in Brisbane. There are letters to the Pope setting off a train of events that could lead to excommunication, parishioners who tell those who have worshipped alongside them that they will fry in hell for their actions, and talk of spies, Opus Dei, and storming the church to break the locks if the Vatican changes them. All of this has resulted from a letter from Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby to St Mary’s parish priest Peter Kennedy. Bathersby’s letter says that St Mary’s is “out of communion” with the Roman Catholic Church, the grounds being the liturgical practices, or form of service. The letter lists several areas where St Mary’s needs to conform.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24444039-2702,00.html
Tags: Australia, Christianity