Author Archives: Church Mouse

Correspondence with Monsignor Brian Rayner, Vicar General/Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney

(See related Church Mouse Morsel item.)

20 April 2004

Monsignor Brian Rayner
Vicar General – Chancellor
Archdiocese of Sydney
Polding House
276 Pitt Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Dear Monsignor Rayner

I have been requested by the Community of St Vincent’s, Redfern to write to you following your visit to St Vincent’s on Sunday 18 April 2004.

The purpose of this letter is not to repeat or capture all that was said in our meeting with you. Across the … Continue reading →

I have been associated with the parish going back to its inception in 1972. Ted Kennedy had become a friend and a mentor. I think it is important to understand that he was not just anyone. He had a sense of affirmation that endeared him to people and in particular the indigenous people. He gave them a sense of belonging and a location where they believed they had a right to be. What is happening now is that they feel betrayed in such a way that the lifeline given them has been swept away. They are bewildered. They … Continue reading →

From The Australian, 12 April 2004

by Vanessa Walker

The Catholic congregation at St Vincent’s church in Sydney’s Redfern has little to celebrate this Easter.
Members of the nation’s largest Aboriginal congregation are embroiled in a dispute over theology and the liturgy with their priest and his conservative order, the Neocatechumenal Way.
Most parishioners, who for 30 years prospered under the care of social justice advocate Father Ted Kennedy, are committed to the liberal reforms of the Second Vatican Council They believe Christ’s love is expressed through a direct relationship with the disadvantaged … Continue reading →

Friday 9 April 2004

Dear Gerry and Dennis

With respect to the whole community of St Vincent’s could you please explain to us your reasoning in having the Blessed Eucharist in your private space of the sacristy. We have a tabernacle inside the main body of the Church which is accessible to all and reminds are that Jesus is indeed in our midst. I was quite surprised that you have the Real Presence in a locked room that is usually only accessible by the Priest. Please correct me if I have it wrong but shouldn’t all people who enter the … Continue reading →

Wednesday 7 April 2004

Dear Cardinal,

Many blessings to you at this time.

I know that this is a very busy time for you but I make a plea to you to become immediately involved in the situation at St Vincent’s Redfern before the situation worsens any further.

We are a faith filled community at St Vincent’s, a people who wear their catholicism on their sleeves and seek to live the Gospel values that have been with us all our lives.

At the moment we are under direct attack by your appointed clergy at St Vincent’s. I … Continue reading →

Tuesday 6 April 2004

Dear Father Gerry,

Re: Open Letter re our discussion today

It would seem helpful to record our interaction today and what preceded it. The following letter refers to: Background; Holy Thursday Liturgy; Fr. Dennis’ interruptions; the location of the Blessed Sacrament; Church furnishings; your status and that of Fr. Dennis.

BACKGROUND
For some weeks now, I have made attempts to talk personally to you as Parish Priest re a variety of items including communication and liturgy. No doubt you will remember a recent previous occasion when a very much interrupted (by Fr.Dennis) … Continue reading →