A Memorial Mass was held for Father Kevin Lee at St Thomas Aquinas Church in Springwood this morning.
Kevin’s brother Father Brendan Lee was the celebrant and the church was packed. A number of police in uniform attended, as Kevin had been a regional chaplain to the NSW Police for 14 years.
“He could comfort the disturbed and he could disturb the comforted,” said Father Brendan Lee which made the congregation laugh.
“He could touch people in a way that others couldn’t.” His personality was “like electricity.”
He said he “had an unfortunate relationship with the media.”
Lateline presenter Emma Alberici and her husband were in the audience.
The Church obviously feels deeply hurt by attacks and criticism from journalists. My opinion is that light is being shone into dark places, whereas some in the Church see the media as evil. Kevin was one of those pointing the torch but Father Brendan didn’t go into detail about that except to say that most of the abuse happened in a 20 year time frame between the 1960s and the 1990s.
The Lee family can be immensely proud of Kevin. His book ‘Unholy Silence’ formed the backbone of the Four Corners Logie nominated episode of the same name which exposed the Catholic cover-up of known paedophile priests including the notorious Father F. This snowballed into the announcement of a Royal Commission, which many people had been agitating for for years.
Father Brendan said the Memorial Mass was held in Springwood rather than in Kevin’s Padre Pio Church in Glenmore Park because the media would have made a big deal out of it. How they see the media as the enemy when Papal knight Rupert Murdoch owns most of it, I don’t know.
I did not see one photo of Kevin’s wife Josefina or their baby amongst the many on a collage handed out or on the slideshow which ran throughout the service. If someone didn’t know and they went to that mass, they wouldn’t know that Kevin had married and had a baby, until his brother David gave the Eulogy. Kevin’s body remains in the Philippines.
The Lee “tribe” are devout Catholics which was obviously passed on to Kevin.
The Eulogy delivered by Kevin’s brother David described a man of great love, generosity, kindness and intelligence. His articulate writing is what generated so much influence. He wrote so many emails from the Philippines, he was a natural communicator and a man who wanted to know your inner most thoughts about your life.
Ray King was in the audience. Kevin sent me so many photos of them to publish when he was alive. “I could not comprehend his actions. To this day, I still don’t,” he said.
The prayer of St Francis was sung, it is a beautiful hymn:
Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there is hatred let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
I was pleased they used the Prayer of St Francis because Kevin left a comment saying how much Assisi meant to him: https://francesjones.wordpress.com/2013/02/25/listening-to-the-wind/#comment-1214
The hymns give one time for reflection. With about 10 male priests standing up there on the stage, why couldn’t they marry as Kevin did, if they wanted to?
Kevin wrote, “I personally believe that celibacy for the clergy is a cleverly choreographed charade.”
There is an account set up by police to help Josefina and Michelle. I am concerned about her financial well-being as I don’t think she qualifies for a single parent payment as she’s in the Philippines.
Father Kevin Lee Fundraising Account Number – 276651 S1 BSB 815000
https://www.facebook.com/KevinLeeeeee?fref=ts
I felt I needed to be there. Kevin actively reached out to journalists and wanted media attention. He knew that the light of truth would expose the darkness. He was so grateful to people who shared his writing and wanted to get it into the mainstream.
A survivor of child sexual abuse by a priest who attended the Mass said, “It was disgusting. Using it to push their agenda … Quoting false stats … Attacking the media. Bishop there overlooking it … Made me sick. Nobody sitting with me was happy with the way they quoted stats that only 6 priests abused 75% or that Kevin’s memorial was used in such a fashion to push the church’s agenda, it wasn’t the forum … He was making out that the media sought Kevin out and twisted his arm, but from what I know he was the one that sought them out. I just didn’t think it was the place.”
The Catholic Church feels that it is under attack from an aggressive media, so is being defensive.
My feeling after today’s Mass are the words of St Francis:
‘Make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love.’
The Church is surrounded by burnt bush and some houses right next to it were burnt down in the recent bushfires.
Father Kevin Lee was ordained in 1992 at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta and ministered in nine parishes in his twenty years of ministry. His brother told some lovely stories about Green Grocer cicadas, they remind his siblings of Kevin.
http://kevinmatthewlee.blogspot.com.au/
http://fatherkevinlee.blogspot.com.au/
www.revkevlee.blogspot.com.au/
Frances Jones 
Fr John Corrigan
November 19, 2013
Thanks for this post Frances, and the photos. God bless you.
Monica O'Brien
December 1, 2013
Who, during Kevin’s Memorial Mass, said that only 6 priests sexually abused 75% of the children? Was it Bishop Fisher?
Frances Jones
December 1, 2013
Father Brendan was the person speaking, not Bishop Fisher.
Monica O'Brien
December 2, 2013
unbelievable! I could name 6 priests whom I either know or knew who abused children and it amounts to 75%? I think not.!!! Even Kevin’s brother is, apparently, in denial.
Sue
November 29, 2014
We never heard much about Father Lees death. Was there any possibility he was murdered and as usual hushed up.
Monica O'brien
December 2, 2014
Sue, can’t help wondering. Remember the pope who died, supposedly from a heart attack, three weeks after he became pope and on the eve of the day he was going to expose the corrupt cardinals etc.concerning the Vatican Bank etc.
Frances Jones
December 4, 2014
Hi Monica and Sue,
Your comments were the catalyst for me publishing this:
Monica O'Brien
February 29, 2016
Frances, just mulling over these posts and your communications to and from Kevin. Pell answering questions at the royal commission is bringing it all to the fore for me. Pell is blaming the church and everyone but himself. I find it nauseating. Sometime ago you invited me to put some of my emails from Kevin on your wordpress – is it still ok? I may find the energy and will to do it. Regards, Monica.
Frances Jones
February 29, 2016
Of course Monica. I was wondering what would happen next. Surely those with secrets about Pell will find the courage to speak the truth.
Monica's Monologue
March 1, 2016
Frances, Pell is apparently claiming to have the full support of the Pope. How I wish Kevin was here, I have read Denis Ryan’s book, “Unholy Trinity” The diabolicaI collusion between the church pedophiles and the Catholic police officers in Ballarat!
I saw ABC1 “Compass” on Sunday -the background of Francis.
bernadette
July 4, 2020
I just read this book. Thanks for publishing it although it seems Kevin Lee broke the seal of confession and chastity while he was a priest. I appreciate his courage to write this though. I hope he has left evidence also to help fix this.
We are currently battling corruption and more, at the Diocese of Parramatta. Maybe you could help sign our petition and help us battle this. The Laity should not be silent. We are seeking Transparency, Accountability and Synodality. There were two incidents: Sta Sabina issue at Rousehill, with regard to the bullying of Fr Warren Edwards and now Fr Robert Bossini.
https://www.change.org/KeepFrBobAsDeanOfStPatsParramatta
Monica O’Brien
July 5, 2020
Hello Frances, I always think of Kevin and wish he was here to see the downfall of Pell, the Gerard Majella Brothers of Greystanes, Fr Farrell and so many others – Kevin worked so hard to bring to justice all the wrong-doers. So many are still in charge of the Catholic Church. I didn’t sign the petition to the Bishop of Parramatta asking him not to remove Fr Robert Bossini. I would wish to know more about the situation before I make any judgement. The Bishop of Parramatta I believe to be a good man he is Vietnamese and he himself had been a victim of abuse. Fr Bossini took over the Greystanes parish after the Gerard Majella Order was disbanded and it’s founder and others were gaoled. I wrote to him once about the Greystanes Church page on the Parramatta Diocese website. The untrue assessment of the Majella Brothers tenure in Greystanes was unbelievable! He didn’t reply. I wrote twice to Anthony Fisher, the then Parramatta Bishop, (odious man) he replied in a most patronising manner. Fr Bossini’s listed achievements appear to be those of a reactionary, old-time priest. Bossini would have been very popular with the large Greystanes Maltese population and his recent Parish would, I imshine, have had a large Asian component. It has been my experience that most Catholics and priests from these backgrounds are still in Pre-Vatican 1 mindset. The present Parramatta Bishop is ana exception.
Sent from my iPhone
>>
Frances Jones
July 5, 2020
I also think the Vietnamese priest seems good and he did speak out well during the Royal Commission.
Bossini has a suitable name for who you describe.
Monica O’Brien
July 5, 2020
…. continuing – On reading some of the comments about Robert Bossini, I believe my estimation is correct. One says he is a “good traditional priest” that tells me much. Another said that the Parramatta Diocese has lost it’s way – Bishop Long is a Progressive, and, I imagine not liked by the conservatives – God knows the Catholic Church needs this!
Have you read Pauline (Carr) Doherty’s book? Pauline blocked me ages ago on Twitter but I see all her tweets. My copy of the book is in the post.
Kind regards,
Monica.
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Monica O’Brien > Date: 5 July 2020 at 4:51:54 pm AEST > To: Frances Jones > Subject: Re: [New comment] Honouring Father Kevin Lee > > > Hello Frances, I always think of Kevin and wish he was here to see the downfall of Pell, the Gerard Majella Brothers of Greystanes, Fr Farrell and so many others – Kevin worked so hard to bring to justice all the wrong-doers. So many are still in charge of the Catholic Church. > I didn’t sign the petition to the Bishop of Parramatta asking him not to remove Fr Robert Bossini. I would wish to know more about the situation before I make any judgement. The Bishop of Parramatta I believe to be a good man he is Vietnamese and he himself had been a victim of abuse. > Fr Bossini took over the Greystanes parish after the Gerard Majella Order was disbanded and it’s founder and others were gaoled. I wrote to him once about the Greystanes Church page on the Parramatta Diocese website. The untrue assessment of the Majella Brothers tenure in Greystanes was unbelievable! > He didn’t reply. I wrote twice to Anthony Fisher, the then Parramatta Bishop, (odious man) he replied in a most patronising manner. > Fr Bossini’s listed achievements appear to be those of a reactionary, old-time priest. Bossini would have been very popular with the large Greystanes Maltese population and his recent Parish would, I imshine, have had a large Asian component. It has been my experience that most Catholics and priests from these backgrounds are still in Pre-Vatican 1 mindset. The present Parramatta Bishop is ana exception. > > Sent from my iPhone > >>>