NCR: Bp Morris: ‘You’ve got to stand in your truth’
WOC was mentioned in this article about the forced retirement of Australian Bishop William Morris for his support of, among other "progressive" things, women’s ordination.
Bp Morris: ‘You’ve got to stand in your truth’
By Joshua J McElwee
The Advent Pastoral Letter of 2006, cited as the beginning of the controversy that resulted in the recent forced retirement of Australian Bishop William Morris, deals primarily with plans to provide diocesan leadership in a future with dwindling access to the Eucharist and priests.
In the letter, Morris informed local Catholics that, as things stood at the time, by 2014 his rural diocese of Toowoomba would have only six priests 65 years and younger in parish-based ministry, with three aged 61-65, and eight 66-70.
In diocesan ministry in 2014, Morris projected two priests 65 and younger; two priests 66-70 and a bishop in the 71-75 age range.
Morris, who had been the bishop of Toowoomba for 18 years, was forced to retire May 1.
Having stated that background, he penned the paragraphs that apparently have caused him to lose his job:
“Given our deeply held belief in the primacy of Eucharist for the identity, continuity and life of each parish community, we may well need to be much more open towards other options for ensuring that Eucharist may be celebrated. As has been discussed internationally, nationally and locally the ideas of:
- “Ordaining married, single or widowed men who are chosen and endorsed by their local parish community;
- “Welcoming former priests, married or single, back to active ministry;
- “Ordaining women, married or single;
- “Recognizing Anglican, Lutheran and Uniting Church Orders.