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	Rogue Church 'Disrespecting' Vatican: Archbishop By Christine Kellett Brisbane Times August 25, 2008 http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/rogue-church-disrespecting-the-vatican-archbishop/2008/08/25/1219516312758.html [with link to the letter from Archbishop John Bathersby] A South Brisbane church, in hot water with the Vatican over its liberal practices, is thumbing its nose at Roman Catholicism by establishing "its own brand of religion", Brisbane's most senior cleric has claimed. St Mary's Catholic Church in Merivale Street has been threatened with closure following complaints over rogue liturgy, leaders without authority and the placement of a Buddhist statue inside the building. In a sternly-worded three-page letter to parish priest Father Peter Kennedy at the weekend, Archbishop of Brisbane John Bathersby called on the church to make up its mind about its allegiance, amid threats it may be cut off by the Vatican. "(We) might as well ask is it a parish in communion with the Roman Catholic Church, or a community in schism?" Archbishop Bathersby wrote. "The Roman Catholic Church has a certain structure that needs to be respected. "My authority as the Archbishop in the Archdiocese of Brisbane is scarcely recognised by the parish of St Mary's." The letter, posted on St Mary's website, also questions the authority of Toowoomba priest Father Terry Fitzpatrick, who had acted as a media spokesperson for the church despite never having been appointed to the parish, Archbishop Bathersby said. He also raised concerns over the placement of the Buddhist statue - said to have been a gift from visiting worshippers - and the validity of sacraments, such as marriage and baptism, which the Archbishop feared were being altered upon request from those receiving them. Archbishop Bathersby said this morning he was "considering his options" over St Mary's future. He would not set a timeline for the parish to respond to his concerns, but hoped "wisdom would prevail" at a meeting scheduled at the church tonight. "I've asked them to think very, very carefully," Archbishop Bathersby told ABC radio this morning. "They either want to belong to the Roman Catholic Church or they want to start their own church. "In the area of liturgy, they make up their own particular rules in the way they worship God. "At the present, they are not in communion with the (Roman Catholic) church." St Mary's, which embraces homosexual couples, allows women to preach and champions social justice causes, came under similar fire from the Archbishop in 2004. A parishioner said this morning the church had been "misrepresented" to the Vatican, insisting St Mary's was "committed" to the Roman Catholic Church. Father Kennedy is expected to address a meeting tonight at 6.30pm.
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