Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby is considering whether the controversial St Mary's parish at South Brisbane "is in communion with the Catholic Church" after a parishioner protested to the Vatican over a Buddha-like statue.
A member of St Mary's South Brisbane Church told The Courier-Mail that it was understood Archbishop John Bathersby was weighing up the future of the church, after complaints were forwarded from the Vatican.
"A very right wing parishioner came and was offended by some of the artwork in the church, including some indigenous art, and an image of a praying monk which they mistook as a Buddha," the parishioner said.
"That person took photos and sent them to Rome and Rome wrote to the bishop."
However, the statue - which was about 1 metre tall - had since been taken out of the church by a disgruntled person and smashed.
Parish priest Fr Peter Kennedy, who has headed St Mary's for nearly 28 years, said he was unable to comment until he had heard further from Archbishop Bathersby.
In a written statement, Archbishop Bathersby confirmed he had received communiques from the Vatican about St Mary's and that they included complaints about an alleged Buddhist statue in the church's sanctuary and unorthodox masses being conducted.
He said that since speaking with Fr Kennedy, he had received many letters from parishioners concerned that the church might be closed.
He had responded by saying "the key question is whether St Mary's is in communion with the Roman Catholic Church or not."
This was something he had previously raised with the church's community and "nothing has really changed since then".
In 2004, claims that incorrect language was being used during baptism were upheld and hundreds of baptisms conducted at St Mary's were ruled invalid by Archbishop Bathersby.
SOURCE
Future of St Mary's South Brisbane Church in doubt (Courier-Mail, 20/8/08)
LINKS
St Mary's parish, South Brisbane
Buddha in South Brisbane Church (Letter, AD2000, July 2008)