OK. There are two ways that Father Peter Kennedy should’ve known that he was on the wrong side of his argument with the Catholic Church.
1) He resorted to comparing himself to Jesus.
2)A UFO cult came to his aid.
Catholic priest Father Peter Kennedy, you might remember, has long been in a dustup with the Church as he’s focused almost exclusively on social justice while eschewing spirituality. Fr. Kennedy has allowed women to preach at St Mary’s Church and he often blesses homosexual couples.
But other than that he’s probably really great!
Well, recently, according to Perth News, Fr. Kennedy told a packed church that it’s O.K. for him to be criticized because you know who was also criticized. That’s right your savior and mine Jesus Christ.
Yeah. He went there.
Archbishop John Bathersby terminated Fr Kennedy’s appointment starting tomorrow so in an attempt to save his job, Fr. Kennedy tried to rally people to his cause during Sunday Mass because that’s what Sunday mass is for. Around 600 people loudly applauded the priest after his sermon.
“People who are not part of our community will make judgments about us because of our so-called unorthodox behaviour,” Fr Kennedy 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’.”
Fr Kennedy said St Mary’s was under attack because some felt the congregation puts too much emphasis on social justice and not enough emphasis on spirituality. And because of the dustup, poor Fr. Kennedy’s plan to establish an aboriginal tent embassy on the site has been postponed which must have disappointed the small party of Raelians, who worship alien beings who have allegedly intervened in earthly affairs, who were outside St Mary’s with signs supporting Fr Kennedy.
Kennedy defended himself with the rallying cry that Vatican II confirmed that the battle for justice was at the centre of the Gospels. If you don’t remember that part of Vatican II that dealt with UFO cults and embassy tents, you should probably read “Lumen Gentium” again.
HT Matt Swaim of Apoloblogology
February 21, 2009 at 6:13 am
Kennedy also denies the virginity of Mary.
“Can you possibly think any individual can believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary?”
This just in:
Archbishop threatened for sacking rogue priest.
Threatened with a bomb.
The police are taking it seriously and Kennedy’s replacement as administrator of St Mary’s has been officially advised by police to avoid his usual engagements this weekend.
February 21, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Yet another reason to shake my head in disgust at the Australians.
February 21, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Kennedy also denies the virginity of Mary.
“Can you possibly think any individual can believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary?”
Wow. Not only does that put you off the Catholic reservation, it puts you out of every major Christian creed out there.
February 21, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I wonder if Fr. Kennedy believes Jesus came from a UFO?
February 21, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Aust-Raelians? Anybody? Anybody?
February 21, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Indeed you shall know them by their “fruits” or “fruitcakes” your pick.
February 21, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Brilliant!
Can we get any other wierd cults out there with signs? “Wiccans support Fr. Peter Kennedy”? “Worshippers of Isis support Fr. Peter Kennedy”?
“Kangaroos support Fr. Peter Kennedy”?
When you say “By their fruits…” and you end up with UFO worshippers, are you still capable of appreciating the irony?
Probably not. Oh well.
February 21, 2009 at 7:38 pm
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February 21, 2009 at 7:40 pm
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February 21, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I miss the Inquisition.
— Mack
February 21, 2009 at 8:12 pm
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February 21, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Yeah, Rick, and Latin is easier to spell, too.
Laicized, I think.
This situation really isn’t funny, Raelians notwithstanding. The Archbishop has relieved Fr. Kennedy of his duties and appointed a new pastor, starting Feb 21. Which is today. ( I’m rather dim at this sort of thing and am unsure if right now it is yesterday or tomorrow in Australia compared to what it is here in the US Eastern Standard time.) Fr. Kennedy says he is going to say mass there this weekend. The police have warned the new pastor to stay away, for his own safety. Actually they should be escorting Fr. Kennedy off the premises, which are owned by the Archdiocese. This is usually what happens when someone is “sacked.” So if he gets to stay this weekend…what about next weekend?
The Archbishop has to tough this one out and call upon the law to make Fr. Kennedy leave. Instead he is talking about a “mediator.” Anyone can see that there is no mediated solution to this. It is important that folks like Fr. Kennedy and his followers know that the Church will not be mocked or flouted.
Susan Peterson
February 23, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Fr. Kennedy is a remarkable fruit of the Second Vatican Council.
Don’t worry be happy…………he believes in 6000.000.
Don’t worry be happy………this is the real dogma
Regards
Augusto
Santiago
Chile
February 24, 2009 at 12:51 am
Yet another reason to shake my head in disgust at the Australians.
Yeah we’re a weird mob. Just as well the Americans have their orthodoxy and sanity all intact isn’t it?
Lucky you!
😉