Dec 2: Belgian Catholics issue reform manifesto

We would like to inform the readers of this newspaper that in our experience, this is not the case. The majority of Catholics in the Toowoomba Diocese do support Bishop Bill Morris and are concerned with the circumstances surrounding his forced retirement.

There have been thousands of messages of support worldwide for Bishop Morris and at a local level, we are angry, sad and disappointed that Bishop Morris – a selfless, caring, just and compassionate human being has been treated this way.

Over 18 years he has provided us with strong and effective leadership as Bishop of the Diocese.
www.bishopbillstory.com.au sets out the facts and some correspondence that may be useful for those wanting to understand more fully the worrying nature of this troubling issue.

A copy of the investigation into our Diocese, prepared and sent to Rome by Archbishop Charles Chaput has never been sighted by Bishop Morris. This is a denial of natural justice no matter what legal system is involved.

We ask those concerned to join with us in communicating with the Australian Bishops to express the need to have an enquiry into this matter [details at website].

There will be a Celebration of Thanks and Appreciation for Bishop Morris on the 28th August at the Berghofer Recreation Centre at USQ. Further details will be announced closer to that time.

[This Communication was proposed by a Group of Clergy and Laity under the Title of The Toowoomba Diocesan Leadership Group. This Group consists of all 6 Diocesan Consultors and other Priests, Heads of Diocesan Agencies and members of Bishop Bill’s Finance Board and Diocesan Pastoral Council]

The Chronicle, Thursday, July 21 2011, page 29.

23/5/11    A Bishop that had to go ?    (from Vincentian website) 

On May 18, the online version of The Record, a publication of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth in Western Australia, posted to its website the item  Editorial : a Bishop that had to go.  Unlike a recent letter from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference,   the Editorial saw fit to present what could be regarded as a very biased  and inaccurate view of  Bishop Bill Morris and the process that recently brought about his removal as Bishop of Toowomba Qld.  This piece of writing, appearing as it did in the Catholic Media of an Archdiocese,   initially stirred me to write some scorching comments  concerning the bias and inaccuracies contained in it..  However, with further consideration, it seemed to me that if I responded in a tone similar to that of the Editorial, then I would be no better than the author of this Editorial who appears to find meaning in delivering trenchant criticism of Bill Morris.

The Scripture Readings from the Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year A) offer some more positive thinking, and this is surely what our Church needs at the moment.  The first reading (Acts 6:1-7) speaks of the difficulties confronting the early Church in regard to neglect of the Hellenist (Greek speaking) widows.  The problem was resolved  through initiative, adaptation to the real world, and concern for pastoral care.  The Gospel (John 14:1-12) , among other ideas, speaks of Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And so it is clear that a focus on Jesus Christ is essential in our Church.

In much of the negative discussion concerning Bishop Morris (including the Editorial referred to above),  the idea of the Church adapting to the real needs of the times, and a focus on Jesus Christ as the centre of the Church, have been put aside.  Instead, authority, discipline, and  orthodoxy have been  dominant.

So, we might well ask, while we reflect on the Scripture Readings of the Fifth Sunday of Easter : How important do we consider a focus on Jesus Christ and the needs of the times -  as compared with a focus on authority, discipline and orthodoxy ?

Tim Williams CM 

Note that the comments above are not made on behalf of the Vincentian Priests and Brothers, but are the opinion of the webmaster of this site writing as an individual.    . 

25/5/11    Is Christopher Pearson right about Bishop Morris ?

SYDNEY:  Recently, Journalist Christopher Pearson launched an attack on Bishop Bill Morris in The Weekend Australian (May 23-24 2011). He raised some serious matters that deserve closer attention.  On May 23rd, Michael Whelan SM of the Aquinas Academy offered a further reflection on the Bill Morris Case.  He questions the accuracy of some of the remarks made by Christopher Pearson, and  comments on the Vatican's view of the the vision of the Church presented in the Second Vatican Council.  [Read More]     

Mum is one reason why I'm following the sacking of Bishop Bill Morris with great interest. Bill was Mum's parish priest on the Gold Coast for many years. He was really kind to her and all the older people....as well as to everyone else. I used to help him with Masses when I was on holidays. Had known him before that in Brisbane when he was vocation director and secretary to Archbishop Rush. Last time I saw him was at 2004 Villanova re-union (he was some years ahead of me). Not forgetting Mum was from Toowoomba.
To my mind, a great injustice has been done to Bishop Bill. He had the courage to speak out about things that should be discussed.
My hope is that he will be re-instated....if enough people have the courage to speak up and support him
So many articles have been published about his sacking. I hope you have time to read at least some of them:

- "You've got to stand in your truth"  (and see links at bottom of this article)
- Frank Brennan 
- Catholica
- No room for someone like Bishop Morris?  (and see comments, including one by myself)
- church's worst enemy is the Vatican
- heavily censored/sanitized  report in Brisbane Catholic Leader 
-even more heavily sanitized report in Sydney Catholic Weekly  ("thou shalt not mention the real issues"...just like reporting of news stories in China)
- creping infallibility
- the removal of Bishop Morris (see my comments, May 9)
- temple police get their man  (this article has more details than any other re the Bishop Morris case)
- forced retirement is message (= warning)  to bishops
- he did what? he destroyed the files?

"The above situations will continue in our Church as long as the people who make up that Church are willing to accept it.  As  a Bishop, Bill Morris has spoken out - and paid the price.   It is now up to Lay People, Clergy and other Bishops to indicate their support for him, and their dissatisfaction at the inappropriate and unjust  way he and the Diocese of Toowoomba have been treated". 
 - Fr Tim Williams, Vincentian  (full text  - May 4)