Catholic Church formally bans Peter Kennedy

The Catholic Church has banned former St Mary's Parish Priest, Peter Kennedy from performing priestly duties anywhere in the world.

The move comes after Fr Kennedy was formally removed from the St Mary's Parish in April because of his outspoken views on the roles of women and gays in the Catholic Church as well as his reluctance to wear traditional Church vestments.

Since leaving the church, Fr Kennedy has established a break away congregation known as St Mary's in Exile - taking with him the majority of the St Mary's Parishioners. The group meet at the Trades and Labour Council building, located just 200 metres down the road from the St Mary's Church.

The ban has done little to dampen the spirits of the St Mary's in Exile community, who only days after learning of the ban, jam packed the TLC building to show their support. Approximately 1,200 people attended the weekend's services, going about their business as if nothing had changed at all.

Father Kennedy told The Australian that he was not surprised by the Archbishop's actions.

"I believe this is an act that intends to bully us as priests," he said.

"I believe there is also the intention to intimidate the community and make them fearful of being part of St Mary's in Exile. We are saying to our community: don't be afraid of what's happened."

"The community will continue to meet the spiritual and other needs of people in South Brisbane and beyond."

Fellow St Mary's in Exile priest, Fr Terry Fitzpatrick has also been banned from conducting Catholic services, though his ban is only applicable in the Brisbane Archdiocese.