Advent Group (UK)

When rebel Catholic priest Father Peter Kennedy is ordered to leave St Mary's Church in Brisbane accused of unorthodox practices, he and his flock begin an extraordinary journey in exile. Watch the film >

In April 2009 after 28 years as priest in charge at St Mary's South Brisbane, Father Peter Kennedy closed the doors of his church for the last time and, in an unprecedented move, led his congregation into exile. He was sacked as priest administrator of St Mary's by his Bishop for challenging traditional Catholic practices and rituals. And after ongoing defiance, he is suspended from exercising his ministry as a priest. With exclusive access, this film follows Peter Kennedy's journey over two years as he and his flock set up the "St Mary's-in-Exile Church Community" in a nearby Trades and Labour Council building, and grapple with new ways of being religious outside Catholic Church doctrine.

More Info

For more information on this program, or to purchase a copy of the DVD, please go to The Trouble With St Mary's (please note this website is external to the ABC)

Visit the web site >