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1. Why are we providing public funding to immortalise this man, a disgrace to his calling and to authority.

   Posted By: peter

2. So the resurrection and ascension are "medieval doctrines and dogmas"? Are we to believe, then, that Jesus remained in the tomb? What does Fr Kennnedy base his faith on? Is Christianity just an easy way to earn a living from suckers who put money on the plate for him? When is this media circus going to end?

   Posted By: Michael Bernard

3. The saga of Fr Peter Kennedy has been dealt with in a gentle way. It is time to move on. Both Fr Peter and the Catholic Church deserve respect and integrity. The Church has walked for 2000 years. She will not collapse because of individual agendas.

   Posted By: Jean

4. "The man who threatened Rome."
   I wonder who his successor will be after he falls by the wayside

   Posted By:  robert carrucan

5. More media tart than Martin Luther I fancy.
   But at least Peter Kennedy is open and honest about what he truly believes which is more than can be said for a lot of catholic clergy these days.
   
   

   Posted By: Nathan Socci

6. We have seen the likes of Fr Kennedy come and go, and many good people seem to think that they have more wisdon than the Pope.
   Why do Catholic publications give him so much publicity like this internet site. His view go against the grain of Catholic beliefs. Why give this man publicity?

   Posted By: Marcus

7. No big surprise here; It's always the crackpots and malcontents that get all the publicity. This guy rejects basic Christian beliefs, yet is hailed as a hero who "threatened Rome"!
   I hardly see what Rome has to be threatened about from this fellow. He's no longer even a Christian, by his OWN definition. I'm sure the Herald has better things to do.

   Posted By: Stanley J. Harris

8. Of course Brisbane Times and The Sun- Herald have nothing better to do.
   If those publications can stick the boot into a religious organization/church at any opportunity they will take it. It makes them feel clever and powerful. it shows Peter Kennedy as a real "media tart" and he should be ignored.

   Posted By: Mihael

9. I was aware from the media that this book was on its way. It is quite reasonable or CathNews to bring us up todate on its publication and provide an opportunity for people to express their opinions. I guess if Fr Kennedy is still making critical comments of the church generally (a church in which many people support his social justice work but not his string of basic denials of teaching) we should know that he is still talking and receiving publicity.

   Posted By: mackie

10. Father Peter Kennedy has announced to all and sundry what he does not believe about the Catholic and Christian faith. I would like to know just what he does believe. Not much in the spiritual field, I would say. He seems to be very much along the same track as Bishop Spong. I am not surprised to read the names of some of the people who were present at the launch of the book.

    Posted By: John Tobin

11. Since picking up a copy of the book, Peter Kennedy - The Man Who Threatened Rome,from last Saturday's book launch, I have not being able to put the book down. Having read some of the chapters several times over, finding new gems of insight from each new read. As you quote from the article in the paper, "the book raises issues the church must face if it is to remain relevant and survive the 21st century."

    Posted By: comfort and joy

12. Once again, people of good faith can only shake their heads at the level of insecurity that the fevered few feel about one priest and his reflections. One poster has even likened Peter to Martin Luther! Talk about hyperbole! Come on people, lighten up. Is your faith so fractured that one persons thoughts and acts can transform it into such vitriol? Is Authority the only deity that you worship? Must all thought and conjecture cease? Such demands are symptomatic of totalitarianism rather than of the People of God. Contest Peter's arguments, because I'm sure he would be the first to admit that he isn't the world's most rigorous theologian, but also have the dignity to stop the dull ad hominem hysterics.

    Posted By: MJ

13. More junk in the book stores. Peter Kennedy is not the first and no doubt won’t be the last to try and make a quick buck on Christ’s expense, kinda reminds me of Judas, all for the money, maybe he will be the next Dan Brown, now if he were sincere with his thoughts all the proceeds from this anti catholic book should go to charity…… lets face it folks if we were sacked because we wouldn’t do what the boss said do you think it would be a book based on how fantastic our boss was………………

    Posted By: rob

14. I gather from the title that the book is a satirical comedy?
    
    

    Posted By: Peter G

15. Is this controversy over spiritual or institutional matters? Institutions can become slow to respond however not so with its people who consciously, knowingly and unwillingly cease to remain within an unquestionable authority. Has not the church left its people? Attendances would suggest that and does the uncertainty of a literal belief in virginal birth or other such matters constitute a non-catholic status? Possibly no more than the disbelieving of Santa Claus! It would appear that Father Peter Kennedy has a deep respect for his catholicity beyond that of its literal, rational and limited precepts purported by the present church powers. Jean suggests that it is time to move on and most people born, baptized and raised as Catholics in Australia have move on. Peter Kennedy is possibly not an individual but the voice of those who have moved on! So this book is not about someone who has been labeled as a 'media tart' but those who who wish to make a start, that being the reclaiming of their community, their church.

    Posted By: John Francis

16. Heard of the Waldensians? Albigensians? Bogomils? Paulicans? Manicheans? Most of these heretics have been confined to historical texts, and will remain there. That may also be the fate of Peter Kennedy. Unless he wakes up to himself, of course. And then the choirs of Heaven will sound the refrain: This brother of yours was dead and is alive again; He is lost and is found!" May God grant that we all be so blessed!

    Posted By: Paul Keen

17. To Comfort and Joy: "the book raises issues the church must face if it is to remain relevant and survive the 21st century."
    Such an argument is easily shown to be based on populism and emptiness. The sole reason the Church has survived 2000 years and remains relevant enough for the media to continually want to attack her, is that she presents God's Truth - which never changes ...
    I find it a little surprising that you, and too many others, put your faith in the wisdom of Peter Kennedy. He's apparently sold you a cliff to run towards.

    Posted By: Chris Saidou

18. Two takes on the Fr Peter Kennedy issue, one in the book title - 'The priest who threatened Rome', and
    one which is the truth about the Church's response to him, the people who follow him. Please be honest in remembering how much tolerance he was given over many years, and the truth of what the Church is for all of us. The Church is concerned for all people, enough even, to point out any falsity they may be seduced into.
    I can't wait to see the ABC Church gleefully recruiting more converts into confusion through the Compass programme. Won’t it ‘do a job’ on Archbishop Bathersby and the Pope? Truly gripping TV. By the way, is that the sort of religion programme the ABC Charter was called on to deliver to Australians, what it, the ABC decides, not what is the truth. Opinion, not journalism, as Stuart Littlemore QC calls it.

    Posted By: Fr Mick Mac Andrew Bombala-Delegate NSW

19. I would like to respond to Chris Saidou's comments about myself and many others putting our faith in the wisdom of Peter Kennedy. The book I referred to has surprising little about or from Peter Kennedy. The book is a compilation of a lot of different people writing about or being interviewed concerning their understanding of the church today. A fascinating read. Certainty not every one in the book is a fan of Kennedy's. Neil Ormerod,Professor of Theology at Australian Catholic University, writes an insightful chapter highly critical of Kennedy. Many practicing Christians will resonate with the themes of this very readable book.

    Posted By: comfort and joy

20. If you read the Introduction by Paul Collins you will come across the statistics for Sunday mass attendance in Australia. It seems to be around 10% and even far less for young people. Since Peter Kennedy and the community (yes - most did follow him down the road) left St Mary's Church, 2 of the 3 masses have been cancelled and only a handful attend the one remaining mass. When will the hiearchy of the church wake up to the fact that what they preach is resonating with fewer and fewer people. Maybe it will take more reports like the one released in Ireland recently to stimulate reforms.

    Posted By: Mike

21. MJ: Kennedy and his supporters are the ones pumping the hyperbole. Didn’t you notice the book’s title? Doesn’t sound like spiritual “reflections” to me. Nathan didn’t “liken Kennedy to Martin Luther” his point was the opposite, that Kennedy is nothing like Luther.
    The Church our Saviour founded has survived and thrived despite the worst efforts of the pagans, Arians, Muslims, Norsemen, Huns, Cathars, Mongols, Protestants, Jansenists, and “Rationalists”/Nazis/Communists. She will have zero trouble surviving Peter Kennedy and the “threat” he claims to pose to her. Very few people in Rome would have even noticed the self-serving nonsense pumped out by Kennedy and his tiny, dwindling group lovingly promoted by the ABC.
    

    Posted By: Peter G

22. Peter G: How is it that your post deflates the hyperbole?

    Posted By: MJ

23. While Fr Kennedy states his many doubts on artcles of faith, he does show real concern for the spiritual and human basic needs of his 'people'. Should it not be of more concern to us, that his road more reflects Christ in this world than our comfortable pontificating?

    Posted By: bill deen

24. "The Man Who Threatened Rome" - seriously......this Priest's ego knows no bounds.

    Posted By: Julie-Ann

25. In response to Julie-Ann's disbelief that Rome was threatened, I would like to ask one question. If Rome was not threatened why did Archbishop Bathersby recieve three letters from the high powered Congregations for the the Bishops, Clergy and Divine Worship. All three Congregations were demanding that something be done about the situation at St Mary's South Brisbane. Only one letter from any of these organistions would have been more than sufficient, but to have one from all three, I say Rome was feeling a little threatend.

    Posted By: Katie

26. Here are some of the more interesting quotes from Peter Kennedy:
    "The Church wants you to pray, pay and obey," he said. "They still will not let women, half the world, take a part in the authority of the Church."
    "A lot of people in the census who put themselves down as Catholic would probably consider themselves as small 'c' catholic rather than Roman Catholic because they no longer come to church at all and they don't believe what the Church teaches any more."
    "If the Second Vatican Council had been allowed to see the light of day, St Mary's would have been typical of the Church throughout the world."
    I think it is vitally important that these issues are raised. Thank you, Peter Kennedy.

    Posted By: Carl

27. Mike: Peter Kennedy claims total congregations of 500 for his denomination, gathered from throughout the Brisbane metro area (2 million people) – very few of them actually live in South Brisbane. Considerably less than 10% of the population. Six months ago he was claiming a congregation of 1000. It’s true that the Catholic Church in Australia has a problem with low Mass attendances, but the Kennedyite denomination’s problems in this area are infinitely worse. And the figure for Catholics produced by professional independent surveys is about 17%. I wouldn’t depend on Paul Collins for reliable statistics on anything.

    Posted By: Peter G

28. It is apparent to most Catholics in Australia that the Catholic Church is in dire straights. Most agree that something needs to be done. That change is necessary if there is to be any future. Fr Kennedy and the contributors to this new book are merely stating what most Catholics are thinking. The type of courage shown by Fr Kennedy and the people of St Marys is needed by the leaders of our church if our church is to have a future.

    Posted By: Alex

29. If an 82-year-old bloke came knocking on your door selling Catholicism today to those who weren't indoctrinated and brought up just to accept the obvious questions they can't answer, how many recruits do you think would sign up? Change is inevitable and healthy in every aspect of life.
    Instead of addressing the issues and answering
    the many questions that are being posed they are choosing to retreat and concentrate on those countries that house the poorest and most vulnerable. I for one feel betrayed. Good luck Peter; I think you are fabulous. Maybe the many who have decided to go direct like me will find a trustworthy representative in St Marys in Exile

    Posted By: ANNA

30. When can we expect the TV mini-series?

    Posted By: Jimmy

31. Anna: In my parish we’d love to go knocking on doors selling Catholicism but we’re too busy coping with running RCIA lessons for the people who come to us without any prompting asking to become Catholics. The main reason they give is that Catholicism gives them answers to the obvious questions which culture-conformists like Kennedy have no answer for, and refuse to even address.
    Carl: Thanks for that hilarious quote about the Second Vatican Council, which explicitly condemned the doctrines and practices Fr Kennedy was promoting at St Mary’s. Has there ever been a man who more personified the saying “trying to have his cake and eat it too”? He demands all the respect and benefits of being a “Catholic priest”, but disowns all the responsibilities.

    Posted By: Peter G

32. With hindsight it is clearer to see that St Mary's was a hobby horse that people chose to ride in any which fashion. Fr Kennedy for his own reasons, and his followers for theirs. Each bent and stretched it to suit there own design. All fine now they are their own grouping.
    The book is a grab bag of barrow pushers. Shane Howard bizarrely has one of the longest entries, on the strength of a single meeting. Martin Flanagan from his Melbourne eyrie, only a handful more. But of course they could be expected to be more knowledgable and correct than Brisbane- based people! Paul Collins, as a prelude to his own venture, chimes in. Tom Uren probably doesn't realise he has been roped in.
    In something that is both slipshod and emblematic of this group, Sean Leahy's name is mispelt several times in the book. Eucharistic prayers can be junked into the bargain too.
    The only new news out of this launch was Fr Kennedy describing himself as a media tart. I can but hope that this has been the last blank he has fired to which the media will come running.

    Posted By: Peter Baffle

33. Katie: Receiving 3 letters from Rome wasn't a sign that Rome was threatened - it was a sign that they were annoyed with Archbishop Bathersby's inactivity and were giving him a clear message - fix this problem asap.
    What precipitated the big reaction was when people filmed invalid baptisms etc and sent them to Rome after Bathersby had told Rome that he had resolved the matter following volumes of mostly valid complaints over the years.

    Posted By: Lets try Harder

34. Katie: The simple facts are that Fr Kennedy was disobient to his vows. I'm not sure what you mean by "Rome" or "The Vatican". If you mean the beauracracy that runs the Church, then it's no small wonder he received three letters. He was breaking liturgical law, teaching false doctrine and allowing idols in the Sanctuary to name but a few problems.
    Our Church has fought off the Huns, that was a threat. Disobient and ego driven Priests need discipline which is what Father received.

    Posted By: Julie-Ann

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