A THANKSGIVING Mass was held to say goodbye to Bishop Bill Morris at St Patrick’s Cathedral last Sunday.
The congregation overflowed from the cathedral into an outside marquee where the service was broadcast live.
Bishop Morris, 67, was appointed to the Diocese of Toowoomba in 1993 and hoped to enjoy an early retirement at the age of 70.
However, he was forced to retire on May 2.
In a letter to parishioners on May 1, Bishop Morris thanked his supporters.
“To the entire diocese I say a heartfelt thanks for your support,
friendship, love and prayers over the last eighteen years,” he said. “You have been a great gift to me it has been a privilege to serve you. While the overwhelming majority of you have been supportive of me and
have worked collaboratively with me to ensure the ongoing life of the
diocese, and its mission to be a bearer of the Gospel to the wider
world, a small group have found my leadership and the direction of the
diocese not to their liking. It would be my hope that as I say goodbye to you as your pastor, that
we can both say, because of our relationship over the last 18 years we
all know the Shepherd a little better.”