Carlton star Matthew Kennedy has admitted to being ’embarrassed of his faith’ in the past – with the staunch Catholic previously coming under fire for liking Israel Folau’s infamous ‘hell awaits homosexuals’ post.
The 26-year-old Blues midfielder, who has played 88 AFL matches since being drafted from the NSW Riverina, has Catholicism in his blood – uncle Michael is the Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle, one of the biggest diocese in Australia.
And while he is very open, honest and happy about his faith, he admitted there has been times where he was worried about ‘fitting in’ into the blokey AFL world – so much so he has even been ’embarrassed’ by his Christianity.
There has been times where he has even found himself under scrutiny for sharing some of the aspects of Catholicism that many – especially LGBTQI+ people and allies – don’t agree with.
When footy great Israel Folau effectively ended his professional career in Australia by posting ‘Hell awaits homosexuals’ (as well as seven other ‘sins’), Kennedy showed his agreeance with the controversial photo by liking it. As did another AFL star with strong Christian faith: Gary Ablett Junior.
Matt Kennedy, pictured partying with Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps, has opened up about his journey in Catholicism
Pictured with fiance Mary-Anne Canavan, Kennedy says what motivates him is different to ’90 per cent’ of the football club
He admitted to being ’embarrassed’ of his faith at points in his footy career, fearing he would not fit in
It led to him being rebuked by his club and the AFL, as well as removing the ‘like’, with CEO Gillon McLachlan eager to keep the league ‘inclusive’, particularly with the high proportion of gay AFLW players and fans.
It was in the years following the successful gay marriage plebiscite that Folau’s views became even more public. LGBTQI+ people began to suffer from a huge amount of homophobic abuse both online and in person.
But while Kennedy agreed to the AFL’s stipulation, it was by no means an agreeance on the issue itself, and he has admitted that the footy world has tested his faith – though now it is unwavering.
‘In the past, I know early days, I was embarrassed. I had that fear of fitting in, or not being liked, because of my faith,’ he told the Herald Sun.
‘But the one thing I’ve noticed is the more open I’ve been about it, especially in the footy club environment, the more boys have put their arm around me and really embraced that and supported it and really encouraged me as well.
‘I draw back to my faith all the time. When things are bad, that’s my purpose – faith and family, and there was probably a time where I lost my faith quite a bit.’
After being demoted to the rookie list in 2020, Kennedy (centre) has revived his career and proved a handy utility across the whole field
It has worked for the inside bull on the field, too.
After being demoted to the rookie list in 2020 amid a glut of similar players at Carlton, Kennedy realised he would need to prepare for life after footy… but did so by training the house down and becoming more professional in his preparation.
He was re-elevated last season after a consistent year, and while he has struggled with injury, game-time and continual positional changes this year, he has still managed 10 games and offered the squad plenty with his toughness.
But at the end of the day, it all comes back to his faith – something he thinks almost no other player can really understand.
‘My purpose is probably different to 90 per cent of blokes here. But it’s different for everyone – and that’s what we encourage,’ he said.
Kennedy also explained exactly why mass was so important to him, aside from the fact it introduced him to his stunning fiance, Mary-Anne Canavan.
‘(My Dad) gave me probably the best advice he ever gave me – that you’ll go through times in your life where you lose sight of your faith, or that strong connection, but always go to mass. I’ve kept it,’ he said, while describing a time he once missed it, leading to a ‘guilt I’ve never felt’.
‘That’s how I met my fiancee – so I’m very grateful for that.’
Kennedy (pictured after proposing) credits mass for meeting his now-fiance, Mary-Anne Canavan
The tough midfielder is determined to go to mass every week – even if he is away for footy
That extends to away games too – there is no excuses for missing mass.
‘Naturally there has always been a lot of travelling for football, but I always check on Google to see where the nearest church is and what the Mass times are,’ Kennedy said of his faith in 2016.
‘I feel going to Mass is good for my spiritual development and makes me a more complete person, which can only benefit my game.’
When it comes to homosexuality, the Catholic Church completely condemns it – though of course every Catholic may have different interpretations for their own faith.
According to the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: ‘homosexual acts are grave sins against chastity and expressions of the vice of lust.
‘They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.’
But it has been a long time since that infamous Folau post, and Kennedy’s subsequent like.
And he will continue to put his faith, family then footy above all else in his life.
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