Judge drafted in to sort Aussie church scrap

BRISBANE - A former High Court judge has been appointed to mediate in the case of sacked rebel Catholic priest Peter Kennedy.

Fr Kennedy is refusing to stand down from St Mary's church in South Brisbane despite being sacked last week for unorthodox practices such as blessing gay couples and selling books that questioned the divinity of Jesus.

More than 1,000 people attended a service at St Mary's on Sunday in support of Fr Kennedy, who read the opening prayer and sang hymns.

The parish is refusing to hand over the keys to the church to its appointed administrator Fr Ken Howell.

Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby said in a statement he had nominated former High Court judge Ian Callinan to be the independent mediator.

Archbishop Bathersby said Mr Callinan has accepted the appointment and he hoped a dignified and peaceful outcome could be achieved.

But Fr Kennedy is refusing to come to the party, saying any mediation should involve the parish community.

He said his sacking was unjust and the community did not want him to leave.

- AAP