After Concerned Catholics Tasmania raised a number of concerns about the operation of the Catholic Church in Tasmania, the Church has responded.
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CCT foreshadowed questions to the church about improved accountability, transparency and gender inclusivity, but also said the Hobart archdiocese could have better responded to a number of issues in recent times.
The reaction by Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous to languishing engagement with the church, the ousting of a Father from the Meander Valley Parish in 2019, and sexual abuse at Marist College in Burnie drew criticism from the group.
However, the church responded yesterday saying it was "disappointed" by claims of a lack of engagement made by CCT and "perplexed" by the assertion Archbishop Porteous was difficult to engage with.
In other news:
"The Catholic Church in Tasmania, and in particular the Archbishop, regularly engages with parishioners and the broader community," Vicar General of Hobart Archdiocese Father Shammi Perera said.
"Archbishop Porteous has at all times been willing to listen and will continue to do so. Last year, he met with members of the Meander Valley Parish to celebrate Mass and speak with them in person.
"He did attend a meeting with Burnie Parish on the issue of abuse at Marist College and was poised to attend a Liturgy of Lament healing service regarding the events at Marist College had it not been for the COVID-19 pandemic."
CCT Chairman Kim Chen said he was disappointed with the response from the church and Father Shammi.
Citing Matthew's gospel, Mr Chen said if you have a difference of opinion you should first take it up with your brethren before taking it up with the community - a method Mr Chen said he had taken.
Mr Chen said both Archbishop Porteous and Father Shammi had turned down an invitation to the CCT group launch function on Saturday citing other commitments.
Mr Chen said holding mass is not what is needed in Meander Valley, but insisted Archbishop Porteous should apologise to the parishioners.
"Him holding mass is missing the point. He should be having a meeting with the parishioners and apologising for what happened there," Mr Chen said.
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