Archbishop John Bathersby has been the target of a bomb threat following the sacking of a rebel priest at St Mary's church in South Brisbane.
A spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane said on Saturday the threat was received at the Archbishop's office on Friday.
He confirmed that the Archbishop's residence was the target in the letter.
"It made mention of St Mary's, but that's now in the hands of police," the spokesman said.
He refused to confirm whether the letter was written by someone who supported sacked 71-year-old rebel priest Father Peter Kennedy, or a supporter of the Catholic Archdiocese.
Fr Kennedy was sacked from his ministry at St Mary's parish on Thursday by Brisbane Archbishop Bathersby for breaching church rules.
A police spokesman confirmed a bomb threat had been made and investigations were continuing.
St Mary's has been the centre of controversy in recent months, with Fr Kennedy attracting the stern eye of the Vatican itself.
The congregation of 700 has a unique ministry in the inner-city suburb of South Brisbane, widely acknowledged as a haven for the poor, the marginalised, indigenous people, homosexuals and broken families.
Fr Ken Howell has been appointed to replace Fr Kennedy, and the two recently met face to face.
At that meeting, Fr Kennedy refused to hand over the keys to the parish buildings, including the church, and told Fr Howell that he would officiate at all masses this weekend.
Fr Kennedy said he expected the church to be packed to the rafters during the church's concert on Saturday night and at the 7am and 9am Sunday masses.
"I'm expecting probably a thousand people here on Sunday morning - I wouldn't be surprised," Fr Kennedy said.
"I have to tell you our collection on Sunday morning is usually $2,100 - last Sunday it was $5,400 - so that says a lot."
Fr Howell has been advised by the Queensland Police Service not to attend this weekend's masses at St Mary's for his own safety.
"I have also been contacted by a number of people, saying they would like to attend the services but are hesitant to do so because they are concerned about their own, and their families' safety," Fr Howell said.
Despite the bomb threat made to his residence, Archbishop Bathersby said the Brisbane Catholic Archdioceses' priority was to ensure the proper transition of the parish to the new administrator.
"In this difficult situation, I believe a sensible next step would be to have an experienced, independent and eminent mediator meet with the Archdiocese and Fr Kennedy to attempt to achieve a peaceful and dignified outcome," the Archbishop said.
I was seriously starting to get more frightened than I already am. 