Category Archives: The Neocats

On Monday, Michael heard from Trevor Davies of the South Sydney Herald that when asked to comment on the lockout, Gerry Prindiville stated that he would be reopening the church for the Friday evening meditation and reflection groups. This was subsequently confirmed by the paper’s editor, Rev’d Andrew Collis.

After Tuesday’s Sharing of the Meal, Kate G. asked Prindiville about Friday. He turned to assistant pp Clesio Mendes and asked if he had spoken to Clare M. as directed last Sunday. He replied that he had twice told her that the church would be open on Friday. Later that day … Continue reading →

The St Vincent’s Christian meditation and Scripture reflection groups gathered again yesterday outside the Church’s locked doors. A hastily prepared notice had been delivered to the presbytery, and copies attached to the Church fence invited passers by to join in.

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During the week the battered old door had been replaced with a new or refurbished matching one that is "much easier to lock".

Hopefully it will be opened more often than the "Holy … Continue reading →

It is a great tragedy that our community has been subjected to this oppressive and abusive behaviour by priests of the church. The closing down of our Friday meditation and gospel reflection is not about theology or spirituality but about power abuse.

Since Father Prindiville has come to Redfern he has not engaged with the community but rather seeks to impose his authority in ways that stifle any dialogue. He has not engaged with the Aboriginal community who continually protest at the way they are treated. His sermons are continually about death and sin even at Christmas Mass. There is … Continue reading →

Several Community members wrote to Gerry Prindiville in attempt to stave off yesterday’s puerile lockout. A couple of them are reproduced here.

13 March, 2007

Father Gerry Prindiville
PO Box 1067
Strawberry Hills
NSW 2012

Dear Father Gerry

After our conversation on the phone last Friday evening, I hoped and prayed that you would reconsider your decision not to open our church on Friday late afternoon, a decision that effectively closes down two of the community’s spiritual gatherings. I pleaded with you then to think further about such a drastic decision.

With respect, I … Continue reading →

For over 36 years a handful of Community members has been meeting on Friday evenings to discuss and reflect upon the weekend scripture readings, and for the last 3 years or so it has been preceded by a Christian meditation session.

Last Friday Prindiville unilaterally decreed that henceforth he would no longer open the Church for … Continue reading →