Toowoomba Bishop William Morris has said he has been under investigation by the Vatican for two years after discussing the prospect of women or married priests in a pastoral letter. Bishop Morris said the diocese was challenged by the ageing of its priests, most of whom would be eligible for retirement by 2014, leaving only six priests out of the full complement of 40, The Courier-Mail reports.
"The ultimate outcome is I'd be sacked and have to stand down," he said.
"Or they would ask me to resign or operate in another diocese ... at this stage, I don't know."
Bishop Morris, who has held the Toowoomba post for 16 years, said the Church couldn't stifle debate and that's what the letter was promoting. "I will continue to fight for what I believe is the truth," he said.
"And I will continue to fight to be able to ask questions."
Bishop Morris said there was a group of very conservative Catholics dubbed the "temple police" who travelled around parishes dobbing in priests who didn't toe the line.
"There are plenty of temple police around at the moment," he said.
Bishop Morris said he hoped the investigation would be concluded this year, but even if he was sacked, he would still retain his title.
He said the same applied to Fr Kennedy even if he was excommunicated.
Brisbane Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby would not comment on the investigation of Bishop Morris except to say that Rome was constantly looking at such situations.
"There are rules and regulations in everything," he said.
However, Archbishop Bathersby said he would welcome change in the Church.
"It's a Church that's constantly reforming itself," he said.
"There's a lot of people agitating for a third Vatican Council and that could happen too, I'd love to see that happen."
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(Source: CTHN)