Father Bob: I don't want to go

Father Maguire, 77, is due to step down as parish priest at South Melbourne's Church of St Peter and St Paul on February 1 next year, as he agreed in a letter to the Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, in 2009.

But the celebrity Catholic priest said yesterday he was "pressured" into writing the letter and wanted to remain in the job, as his position as parish priest was integral to the church's work in the community.

"Why would you go to the trouble of breaking up the relationship when in fact everybody seems to be agreeing that it's a bloody good thing?" he said.

Father Maguire resisted an attempt by Archbishop Hart two years ago to nudge him into retirement upon his 75th birthday, gaining an extension until next year.

"In 2009 I was pressured into signing a letter of resignation," he said. "I turned 75 and [Archbishop Hart] said 'look, the custom now is to offer your resignation and if you offer it, I'll take it'. So I said, 'I don't know that I'll offer it'."

Father Maguire best known for his appearances on TV and radio, but also for his work with the homeless and the poor said he could not understand why he was being singled out for retirement when many Catholic priests continued to work well beyond 75.

But Archbishop Hart said the move was "consistent with canon law, which asks a priest who turns 75 to offer his resignation".

"While there may be older parish priests in Victoria, their appointment is dependent on the assessment by the local bishop of the circumstances of the priest, parish and diocese," he said.

Father Maguire questioned whether it was his attention-grabbing style, rather than his age, behind the move.

Father Maguire was named Victorian of the Year last week for his community service work. He dedicated the award to his parishioners, saying they had joined him in reaching out to the local community, especially those living in South Melbourne's public housing estate.