time he identified with the many social problems and challenges the Aboriginal community faced and worked to bring justice to them. His presbytery and church community became a place of refuge for Indigenous Australians travelling from all parts of the nation. He befriended Aboriginal activist Mum Shirl and worked closely with her until she died in 1998. Author and former Jesuit Peter Norden recalls that on wet nights up to one hundred people slept at the St Vincent de Paul catholic presbytery. It became known as the "people's home". Kennedy promoted reparation and reconciliation with Indigenous Australians. Through his personal contacts, he established networks of influence through the local community and the indigenous communities of the nation. He preached and taught against what he perceived as exclusion and marginalisation of all kinds, whether because of race, income or sexual orientation. Progressive Catholics from all over Sydney travelled to Redfern weekly to be part of the parish community. While Kennedy was at Redfern, the South Sydney Uniting Church donated property to the Black Theatre and the Sisters of Mercy gave property to the Redfern Aboriginal community in 1978 in which the Aboriginal Medical Service was established. The service now provides medical, dental, aged care, drug and alcohol services to around 55,000 patients each year. In 2001, Kennedy was awarded the medal of the Order of Australia for his service to the Aboriginal community. After two major strokes, Kennedy retired in 2002. After retirement, despite his illness he kept in close contact with the people of Redfern. He died at Concord Hospital, Sydney, on 17 May 2005. Approximately 1,500 people, including "seventy priests, three bishops and one cardinal", attended his funeral on 24 May. Activism and controversy Kennedy's example of personal poverty and commitment influenced other people and organisations. In 1975, Frank Brennan SJ worked at Redfern with Kennedy and thus began a lifelong connection and influence. Kennedy was a controversial figure and not all Catholics or all Australians supported his radical views. He was often in conflict with the church hierarchy for his activism. He once described himself as "a sample of that endangered species – an Australian Catholic priest". In 2001, however, his work received direct support from Pope John Paul II with the reception of a letter to Naomi Mayers, CEO of the Aboriginal Medical Service, supporting their work at the Aboriginal medical centre. On 22 November 2001, the