The controversial bishop, who died last month, presided over the Ballarat Catholic Diocese during a period of horrific child abuse and survivors plan to hold a silent protest.

The church insists masses to remember the dead are standard practice and prayers for departed souls are part of the Catholic faith’s normal religious practice. 

Last month Bishop Mulkearns was fare-welled in a low-key funeral at Nazareth House and was the first bishop in the diocese’s history not to be buried in the crypt in St Patrick’s Cathedral.

But survivor Andrew Collins has called for community members to unite in a silent protest at the planned mass. An Online petition against the mass has collected close to 2000 signatures. 

Mr Collins said survivors and community members were completely shocked and insulted by the church’s decision –which seemed to contradict the “victims first” approach the church had advocated . 

“If he had done his job properly – people would still be alive,” Mr Collins said.

“I have spoken to Bishop Bird many times and we have always tried to keep an open dialogue with the church. We have never held a protest before – but this time we drew a line in the sand. We’d been there for them and put everything behind us.” 

Mr Collins said the move could also undermine the relationship between some survivors and the church.

Ballarat Catholic Diocese Vicar-general Justin Driscoll was not aware of the petition when contacted by The Courier, but emphasised the mass was not a celebration of the bishop’s life.

Father Driscoll said Bishop Paul Bird made the decision to hold the mass – which he said was normal Catholic practice. He said the mass gave church-goers an opportunity to pray for the bishop and was part of the Catholic principle of not passing any judgement on people after death. 

“It is certainly not to give glory, any honour or glory and that was certainly not the intention of this mass,” Fr Driscoll said.

The Ballarat Catholic Diocese website simply states the May 16 event would be an opportunity for priests and people from around the diocese to come together to offer Mass for Bishop Mulkearns.