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1. Alleluia Amen!
   Fr Terry, the hierarchy is too busy protecting its own skin; many of our Catholic sisters and brothers can't see pass the plank in their own eyes as they're too busy judging who is going to hell (they’re more excited than God for that job at ‘the end’) and telling others to remove the tiny speck from their eyes, but they walk blindly with the plank sitting in theirs.
   
   The institutional church might need to die so that from those ashes something good can actually come. As of now, it is a completely corrupted institution with a huge amount of wealth and influence to cushion the incongruence in the teachings of Jesus and the way the institutional hierarchical church functions.

   Posted By: TJ Lawson

2. Another denomination to be added to the already approx. 40,000.

   Posted By: robert carrucan

3. This is a false liberation. True liberation only comes through loving in the truth, not through dissent and disobedience. If anything, it is the Left who are responsible for the decline of the Church since the Council. Wherever they have gained the ascendency, the Left have destroyed religious houses, seminaries, universities, schools, parishes, etc. I am currently attending talks by the American apologist-convert Tim Staples. In the last 4 days 3500 have come to hear him speak. Most are young people. They come because fidelity is fruitful. On the other hand, dissent is a death-knell. This sad excuse of another 'protestant' sect will undoubtedly die. It is only a matter of time. Pity those who have been deceived out of the Church in the process.

   Posted By: Michael Bernard

4. Fr Fitzpatrick apparently has little understanding of the Roman Catholic Church, nor theology. His remarks are reprehensible and insulting to other parish priests who faithfully adhere to the doctrines of the Church, and who assist their congregations to do so too, rather than demonising other people with his thwarted points of opinion. He and his mate are not the only priests doing good works for the community, the only difference is they both enjoy telling everyone of their good works, and that was not what Jesus did!

   Posted By: Michelle Ehlers

5. Great story by Terry (and a nice picture of Roger). As one of the many women who have a role in the community of St Mary's I would like to say to the rest of the women in the Catholic Church. The time has come to really stand up and insist on some sensible reason for banishing us to the rear. Certainly only men were chosen as disciples (so by some odd reasoning only men can now be priests) but by the same reasoning all priests should be of Middle Eastern appearance and ethnicity and have very little education.

   Posted By: marg ortiz

6. Who is this poor faithless Father who thinks God changes with every new generation? If you don't want to keep the 10 Commandments, forget it!

   Posted By: NELL

7. Cathnews should not be promoting such self-centred drivel. You cannot absolve yourselves from responsibility for such dissent.

   Posted By: Paul

8. I have to express my deep contempt for this unsubstantiated farrago - and for CathNews for giving it space. This is not journalism; it's the rantings of someone whose only qualification is that he has a computer and an internet connection. It has no place on this site.
   
   Am I alone in doubting your wisdom of publishing such an inflammatory article? What is CathNews promoting this insulting rubbish for?
   
   I am very disappointed that Cathnews would find it necessary to republish such a schismatic opinion as this article.
   
   
   

   Posted By: John McMahon

9. Michael Bernard, who the hell is the 'Left'?
   Did not Mary MacKillop 'dissent and disobedience'?
   Do you have any kindness in you at all, to even listen to their pain and their hurt, or you're just too busy being angry and hateful?

   Posted By: TJ Lawson

10. Who is pitured? At first I got the impression it was Fr Fitzpatrick. It does not look like the Fr Fitzpatrick I have seen on TV Apparently it is Roger someone.

    Posted By: BALANCED

11. When I read, "we have been kicked out of our church", my first thought was, "but they were only squatters", however, it is more than this. Fathers Terry and Peter and their urgers are actually the bullies who have misappropriated the resources and good name of the Catholic Church to promote their own selfish and heretical agenda.
    I concur with those who would desire that this website was a forum for truly Catholic news, views and debate - not a billboard for heretical viewpoints. To that end, please look past stories like this one, or anything that NCR promotes.

    Posted By: Joe

12. An update from the Brisbane archdiocese on what progress is being made in locating the parents of children (and any others) whose baptisms at St Marys's, South Brisbane, are considered invalid.
    Presuming these people who have been seriously misled will be offered an explanation and apology.
    The South Brisbane matter will continue to crop up in the media. (It did in the Courier-Mail in a cover of a major event at St Stephen's Cathedral recently).Many people, not only Catholics, would appreciate answers to questions that arise.
    

    Posted By: BALANCED

13. How does Fr Terry Fitzpatrick know that he has not tapped into a mass ideology and mass delusion?

    Posted By: Skye

14. Whilst the source of the material and the editorial merit of putting it here are dubious, having done so, I think the text and comments about it are nothing to hide from.
    
    Whilst the dead can be left to look after the dead, such folly can be a source of both concern - at the loss of fellow travellers - and encouragement - that many remain on the correct path.
    
    When the LEFT work out what is valuable about our Faith and Western Culture and take on the responsibilities as well as the rights, then we can take them seriously.

    Posted By: James Knight

15. I'm glad that Cathnews published this article... best laugh I've had all week. You've gotta love a man who needs to resort to the Green Left Weekly for a sympathetic ear.

    Posted By: MM

16. Thanks to CathNews for publishing this item. Fr Terry Fitzpatrick has made a public declaration of his contempt for "The Roman Catholic Corporation" and no doubt as a good and honest man has applied for dispensation from priesthood.
    
    How refreshing to read that "We too feel liberated from the shackles of a failing institution caught up in dogmas and creeds that belong to another age." Does Fr Fitzpatrick include Catholic Social Teachings , the writings of mystics, women and men, along with a rich contribution to the development of health and education among the burdens of "another age". I wonder what excitng dogmas and creeds Fr Fitzpatrick will be creating for this new age of liberation?
    
    I am also sure that as an act of total dissociation from the "Roman Catholic Corporation" Fr Terry Fitzpatrick will repay the costs of his Catholic education from primary school through to seminary, not to mention the financial support he has received for years for himself and his son who featured with such dignity on Australian Story.
    
    I find Fr Terry's claims of systemic bulllying alarminig and I hope that he has been able to access appropriate therapy. I could barely survive such a barrage of institutional abuse and personal attack without a packet of panadol before bed each evening.
    
    I preume tha the community Fr Terry has served as a priest has never dissmissed its parish council including women nor has it caused any anguish or grief to any woman by clerical one-upmanship.
    
    I eagerley await the next article from Fr Fitzpatrick where he will give examples of how as he claims:"This huge Roman Catholic corporation continues to win the sympathy and ear of governments afraid to challenge its bullying, standover tactics."
    
    This really has been such a hoot I suspect that the Catholic Church has been served an 'Ern O'Malley" After all, no priest with any sense of self worth could write such drivel could he?
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Posted By: An Observer

17. Re: Marg Ortiz's comment
    
    As one of the women in the Catholic Church, your comment was directed, at least in part, to me.
    
    I have never been (literally or metaphorically) banished to the rear of the church. The odd reasoning that I cannot be a priest I don't find very odd. It is not as simple as your comment seems to imply, and it has nothing to do with a greater holiness or pastoral ability of men. It has to do with a deep spiritual understanding of sexuality as an integral part of the person, that has a real impact on their lives. I could no more be a priest in a spiritual sense than a man could be a mother, regardless of how many nurturing qualities he possessed. Should I feel a call to a pastoral ministry, there are many ways for me to live this call within the Church without chasing that which is not possible. (I am reminded of the Monty Python skit;
    
    "It's every man's right to have babies if he wants them..."
    "But you can't have babies!"
    "Don't you oppress me!"
    "I'm not oppressing you... You haven't got a womb. Where's the foetus gonna gestate? You gonna put it in a box?")
    
    More seriously, the deep spirituality of sex and sexuality is addressed in JPII's 'Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body.' If you wish in future to engage in serious discussion of the roles of the sexes, how they relate to each other, to the Church, to God... I suggest you read it. (There are summaries available, but they are not as good as reading the original.) This will at least ensure you have a reasonable understanding of the reason for Church teaching, from a good primary source, before you criticise it.
    
    The Church has given me a number of remarkable opportunities, including paying for me to study theology and undertake leadership training. And no, I am not a religious. I have always enjoyed great access to my bishops, and as a student of anthropology, enjoy learning about the cultural context of the scriptures, teasing out what is culturally specific and what is divine revelation relevant to all peoples.
    
    I am a young woman, and have found fellowship with a large number of other devout young women, who are disenchanted with the superficiality of modern feminism with its shrill insistence that all difference they find inconvenient is discrimination. I believe there is a renaissance of orthodoxy led by the youth, a feeling that has intensified since the vibrancy of WYD08. This is a group that cherishes tradition, upholds doctrine *AND* works for social justice in all its permutations, from insisting on a culture of life in the bioethical sphere, to feeding the poor, comforting the mourning, treating the sick and caring for the land.
    
    As you call us to abandon our faith, by standing up and insisting on something antithetical to it), we respond by calling on you to rejoin us, and use your unique charisms, given by the Holy Spirit, to serve the People of God for the Glory of God. We would rejoice to have you with us again.

    Posted By: Mikayla

18. The St Mary's people left what most of us identify as the Catholic Church, not for any of the reason stated by Terry. I think it was because of the lack of humility that did not allow them to accept legal authority. It will be interesting to watch, if this breakaway group survives, what they will do when some of their members try to rewrite their liturgy and re define some of the doctrines they seem to hold; will they let them go on and do their own thing? Or will they demand obedience.? It seems to me that no comunity can continue to exist without acceptance of discipline.

    Posted By: Ian Fairweather

19. I agree with most of these other comments that it is very sad that some of the flock are falling for this rubbish. God does not change with every generation. Terry, there is a difference between accepting gays and others and condoning a dysfunctional relationship whereby children are involved in this confusion. Stop making stupid excuses.

    Posted By: Trish

20. False prophets have always been around.The Church will always be criticised and persecuted by the followers of SATAN who confuses divides and attacks.Cath.News should not be publishing such drivel,such disgusting attacks on the Church.Unless,one or two of the staff share the same opinion! Please stop.Have you no respect for the Church founded by Jesus Christ,the Incarnate God?

    Posted By: M.M.

21. It seems to me that Fr Terry is out of touch with the greater majority of Catholics Australia-wide (lay, religious and clerical) who are wonderfully accepting of diversity and non-judgemental of others and who are trying their very best to teach and live the way of Jesus. We are far from perfect and have a long way to go; we are the pilgrim Church of Vatican II.

    Posted By: John Monaghan

22. And when, as you wish, the "institutional church" is gone, TJ Lawson, how would we recognise any church at all with the cacophony of individualistic, atomised voices all competing for their own version, if they bother to consider "church" at all?

    Posted By: James

23. Ho hum. Haven't we all heard this garbage a hundred times already.
    
    The St Mary's in Exile mob ought to get over themselves.

    Posted By: Colin

24. This sad priest says he stands up for the rights of women. Well, I fear he stands up for the rights of women who agree with his novel theology. I strongly suspect he wouldn't stand up for women who, for example attend the Traditional Latin Mass, or any other female who saw Truth in The Creed.
    Lastly, I am appalled that CathNews is acting as a mouthpiece for these repellent novelties. Fr Terry and his ilk should be allowed to vanish into history like many other Protest-ant denominations have.

    Posted By: Julie-Ann

25. I concur with John McMahon.
    
    Why did CathNews publish this outburst?
    
    Which bit of 'Cath[olic]' are they really interested in? The verbal IED (improvised explosive device) or assisting with the message of the Gospel?
    
    I wonder if Fr Terry remembers what led him to answer the call to the priesthood?

    Posted By: thygo

26. I can see how Terry feels liberated and good luck to him in his new protestant denomination. I won't be joining him.
    
    On the other hand, the reaction of most posters here is one of fear - that he should not be allowed to infect good Catholics. The intelligence of Catholics should not be insulted by assuming that they cannot make their own judgements.
    
    Cathnews is doing the right thing by publishing such articles. We should be encouraged to think about our faith. Jeus was found in the temple listening to the teachers AND asking them questions. We should emulate Him.

    Posted By: Frank S

27. One of the greatest truths I have learnt about being a prophetic voice in the Catholic Church is that you cannot hope to be a voice that contributes to growth and renewal, if you do not embrace and love the very Church that you struggle with. It is like marriage, if you value your marriage, yes you can argue and struggle but you don't set about destroying the very fabric and foundation of your relationship.
    
    Fr Terry and the sad saga of St Mary's mob is an example of a group of people who have rejected the most foundational and fundamental aspects of common life with the Catholic Church, yet maintain a vain hope that they are prophetic voices that will somehow bring reform or change to the church. Sorry, it just doesn't work like that. So much of your actions and words have been derogatory about our Church. This latest article continues the trend. If this were a marriage situation, it would be as if an estranged husband were criticising and tearing down his wife's reputation in the market place, and yet continuing to say he wants to be in a relationship with her.
    
    Our Church is far from perfect. Yes, you can get hurt simply going about your faith life within the Church, but the way to make a difference is not to destroy the foundations of your relationship with her.
    
    In prayer, on a number of occasions, I have felt the Lord say to me, "There are no prizes for simply being able to describe a problem from 40 different angles, and perspectives. Anyone can do that." Feeling clever because you can describe the problems within the church is not achievement at all. Sorry Terry et al. The amazing act of grace,is ,having recognised the problems, we continue to love and embrace the life of the church, asking God for humble, steadfast hearts that will bring renewing grace.

    Posted By: c.d.

28. Perhaps the Green Left magazine should be asked to give equivalent space to a rebuttal of Fr Fitzpatrick's views.I presume Cathnews published the item to show what other media are publishing.I believe plenty of very sincere people. committed to social justice read Green Left. They are entitled to a alternative view. I believe the rebuttal should avoid the strong emotional language used by Fr Fitzpatrick.

    Posted By: BALANCED

29. I note that a few respondents have questioned the posting of this piece in Cathnews. It hurts to read such stuff written about the Church and its people that one loves. When I read the piece I felt the same way but I think we are called to endure such drivel because if we are to deal with the attitudes expressed by these people we must know what is being said. There is no point hiding from it. That is a cross we must bear in His name.
    
    One of the consequences has been some nice thought provoking responses.

    Posted By: Desmond

30. It would be interesting for all those critics of St Mary's in Exile to actually have a look at some church history. The Catholic Church was actually created by the Roman emperor Constantine and none of its dogmas were emailed down from heaven. A study of church history not written by the Catholic Church could reveal where they came from. In a democracy, which the Catholic Church is not, everyone is entitled to their opinion. During the St Mary's saga the Archbishop was invited a number of times to a meeting with a representative group of the people. Not only did he not accept the invitations but he did not even acknowledge the receipt of them. All his correspondence was addressed to Peter Kennedy as he only recognises the priest. The people have no real standing. It is a question of blind obedience to the clergy, and I consider this to be a very dangerous thing in any society. According to Michael Morwood around 10-15% of catholics actually attend mass regularly and only 5% of youth attending catholic schools continue to attend mass after school. The ancient chinese book the Tao Te Ching puts in beautifully: "When the greatness of the Tao (God) is present, actions come from one's own heart. When the greatness of the Tao is absent, action comes from the rules." In my opinion (and that's all it is!) the catholic church is still stuck in a mindset of hundreds of years ago. The earth is not flat, the sun does not revolve around the earth, and we have learnt many new things in science, psychology and spirituality. I was taught that if I didn't attend mass on Sunday I would go to hell and literally burn for evermore as punishment for my sin. Is this still a teaching of the church? I certainly don't believe it, and it would be very difficult to see any congruence between this and the teachings of Jesus. A brief look at history would reveal where this idea of a place called heaven and a place called hell came from.

    Posted By: mike

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