IPSWICH Catholic priest Peter Casey has joined the growing chorus of support for sacked Toowoomba Bishop Bill Morris.
William
Morris says he was forced to resign as the Bishop of Toowoomba over a
letter to his parish in 2006, which discussed whether a shortage of
priests could be overcome by the ordination of women and ministers from
other churches.
A
statement on the Catholic Church’s website says Pope Benedict XVI had
received and accepted the resignation of William Morris as the bishop of
the Toowoomba diocese.
Father Casey said he and Bishop Morris went to the Seminary at the same time and stayed friends.
“This whole sad affair is further indication that the authorities in Rome have selective hearing.
"I do not know the breach of church teaching or law which supports the action taken by the Pope,” Fr Casey said.
“The early retirement of Bishop Bill Morris came as a surprise to me when I heard of it from the media.
"I was aware of the matters that arose five years ago which were not a rebuff of Rome or the Bishop of Rome.
“The reasons for his forced early retirement are unknown to Bishop Bill. He
says that he was never given a copy of the report formulated by the
visiting Archbishop of Denver sent to inquire into the ‘complaints’."
He was saddened to read that Bishop Morris felt resigning would acknowledge wrong on his part.
“I
pray he will find retirement a peaceful place, but knowing Bill it will
be difficult because of his generous pastoral spirit and care for the
church and people of the church and beyond,” he said.
Bishop
Morris said yesterday he was not angry about his forced resignation but
was “sad” and felt the Vatican hadn’t given him, and therefore the
community, a voice.
He
defended the content of his 2006 letter, saying he never advocated the
ordination of women but was discussing the international debate on the
issue.
Bishop
Morris said he was denied a chance to defend the claims against him and
questioned why there was no right for bishops to challenge the Vatican.
Eight
Toowoomba priests issued a media statement yesterday expressing their
support for Bishop Morris, ahead of an evening vigil for him.
They blamed a small number of “disaffected priests” and diocese members for complaining to the Vatican about Bishop Morris.