The stand off at St Mary’s church in South Brisbane appears to be at an end, with Father Kennedy allowed to conduct services at the embattled church until April 20, as part of a compromise deal to have him leave permanently.

After initially refusing to be pushed into mediation with Brisbane Archbishop Bathersby, Father Kennedy agreed to meet and both parties negotiated the agreement last Thursday.

Father Kennedy came under attack for using unorthodox practices, such as blessing same-sex unions and allowing women to preach.

“We’re really glad that we’ll be having Easter together,” said Karen Walsh, from the Saint Mary’s council. “From the community council’s point of view, we recognise that this is the end of the community as we know it.”

Ms Walsh also said Archbishop John Bathersby did not attend the council’s meeting.

“The community council was really disappointed that the Archbishop did not participate, it was our expectation and desire for him to, but we found out late in the afternoon that he would not be in attendance – it would only be his representatives,” she said.

“This isn’t a community in transition. This is the ending of one community and the start of another. The community doesn’t support the decisions. We simply knew that there was nothing we could do to stop legal action to reclaim the property.”

Community members have said they are devastated by the outcome of the negotiations, as have the social justice organisation, Micah Projects, who have operated from St Mary’s and been a ‘hallmark’ of the community.

“We don’t want to work under the Catholic hierarchy…it’s all about perception and innuendo and no natural justice.” Ms Walsh said.

According to recent reports from The Australian, Father Kennedy intends to open a “church in exile” only a few hundred metres away at the Trades and Labour Council building. However, according to Brisbane Archbishop Bathersby’s office, any sacraments practiced by Kennedy will not be recognised by the wider Catholic community. Kennedy says that’s not the case, as he is still a Catholic priest.

Father Kennedy will say his last mass at the church on April 19. He says that he thinks 95% of his church will follow him to his new location.