Catholic belief

The Catholic Church and Catholic parishes throughout Brisbane constantly (though not perfectly) demonstrate a commitment to the rights of the poor, downtrodden and disadvantaged in the tradition of Christ. This includes the rights of indigenous people, homosexuals, women and the unborn (the last noticeably absent from Mr MacLennan’s list).

To suggest that the commitment of St Mary's to these causes is somehow a distinguishing or unusual feature among Catholic parishes is simply ignorant of the works and teachings of the Church throughout the world.

Mr MacLennan and I can agree on one important point; the problem is less the beliefs Father Kennedy holds than his argument that these are consistent with the mainstream, orthodox teachings of the Church which must continue to provide for him and his followers the physical and spiritual community to express these views.

Why the Church’s objection to having its teachings misrepresented in this way is apparently such an outrage, is not clear.

Mr MacLennan designates himself (presumably) in the introduction as "a very dedicated Marxist" and lists his commitment to various worthwhile causes.

It is highly unlikely that "very dedicated Marxists" would agree to that label being applied to someone who publicly advocated the benefit of free markets, the human rights of the unborn, the overwhelming economic and social advantages of Western liberal democracy and the primacy of the individual.

Understandably so - such views are at variance with the fundamentals of Marxism and someone who sincerely held them should accept this inconsistency and find a belief system compatible with them.