Brisbane's Archbishop John Bathersby has informed St Mary's South Brisbane parish priest Father Peter Kennedy that he will be replaced, with effect from Saturday 21 February. The archbishop judged that, under Father Kennedy's leadership, the parish has placed itself 'out of communion' with the Catholic Church.
This is a sad event because, at a time of falling and ageing church congregations, St Mary's is one of Australia's most vibrant and deeply engaged parishes, especially in its commitment to social justice. It is also a haven for many who do not feel welcome in other Catholic congregations.
It is also sad that Father Kennedy and the congregation discerned that their best course of action was to decline to accept the directions of the archbishop. The unfortunate consequence of this is an end to their work for inclusiveness at the grass roots of the Church.
Father Kennedy (pictured, centre) told the parishioners on Sunday 8 February that he had decided against setting up another church if he and the parish were expelled from the Catholic Church. Previously he had vowed to do that, and the nearby Trades and Labour Council had even offered space for him to lead the liturgical celebrations of his so-called breakaway church.
In stating that he does not wish to be a 'cult leader', and that he is 'over running a breakaway church', Father Kennedy demonstrated his inclination to maintain the Catholic identity of his own ministry. This sets him in a hard place, for which he deserves sympathy.
The personal focus of the Catholic identity of local congregations from early in the history of the Church has been the Bishop. Bishops have a similar relationship to the Bishop of Rome — the Pope — as do congregations to their bishop.
This implies that the local Bishop has general responsibility for ensuring that what is promoted and practised in local congregations is consistent with the faith and practice of the universal church. Catholic congregations and their parish priests have no option but to accept the responsibility of their bishop and to negotiate the requests he makes of them, or to appeal to the Bishop of Rome.
This of course is not the only understanding of church identity current among Christians. Many churches that came out of the Reformation, particularly, give much more autonomy to the faith of the local congregation. The emphasis they place on the faith of the individual, and on consensus within the congregation, fits more easily with the attitudes of contemporary Western culture.
It is understandable, then, that a congregation with this understanding would be intransigent in the face of a bishop's demands. But it is hard to see how it is consistent with Catholic identity as this has been understood.
The conflict does not seem to leave either side with much room to move. But we might hope that there would be space for conversation and negotiation, even at this late stage.
Father Kennedy's move back from his preparedness to lead a breakaway church offers some hope, and could prove to be a good point for cooling off and for conversation. Negotiation would mean concessions by the congregation on issues that the Bishop regards as central to Catholic identity, and acknowledgment of the good things that have been done in the congregation.
It may also be important to recognise the external aggravations that have made this dispute so intractable and fierce. These include the apparent tolerance of reactionary dissident groups within the Church, compared with the harshness often directed at liberal Catholics. There is also the activity of 'spies' (like those who reported St Mary's to Rome).
These issues are not peripheral. Indeed they are central for those who feel — and are — excluded by the Church. But to focus on them solely loses sight of what is essential to the identity of the Catholic Church as we have known it.
Written in collaboration with Andrew Hamilton
LINKS:
St Mary's Discussion Forum
Archbishop Bathersby's decision on St Mary's, South Brisbane
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Michael Mullins is editor of Eureka Street.