Catholics in the Toowoomba diocese are protesting at the lack of natural justice that forced the early resignation of Toowomba bishop, Bill Morris. Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell labelled protesters as a “predictable chorus” and a “minority.” However spokesperson for the group, Fr Ray Crowley denies both these labels. “We want to show the Read more
There will be women priests “when God wills” according to the archbishop of Lisbon, Portugal, Cardinal Jose da Cruz Policarpo. The veteran cardinal, a one-time contender for the papacy, says there’s “no fundamental theological obstacle” to the ordination of women as priests in the Catholic Church. Rather, he suggested, it has never been done from the time Read more
Gerald Arbuckle reflects on the removal of Bishop Morris: The recent, unfortunate forced early retirement of Bishop Morris of Toowoomba has caused significant disquiet, not just in Australia, but throughout the Catholic world says Gerald Arbuckle. Even the Australian Bishops’ Conference, while reaffirming their loyalty to the Pope as the head of the College of Bishops, Read more
A new internal report given to the Australian media discloses the Vatican tried to be rid of Toowoomba Bishop, William Morris, since 2006. According to the Catholic News Agency, the document also confirms that the Vatican removed Morris for abuses in the celebration of the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance and for advocating women’s Read more
When Pope Benedict XVI used the word “infallible” in reference to the ban on women’s ordination in a recent letter informing an Australian bishop he’d been sacked, it marked the latest chapter of a long-simmering debate in Catholicism: exactly where should the boundaries of infallible teaching be drawn? On one side are critics of “creeping Read more
We are living in a particularly difficult time; there is an undeniable crisis of authority in the Church. It is not a simple problem and instant answers, although desirable, are not possible. Bishop Morris’s resignation highlights one of the Pope’s fundamental roles: to preserve the unity of the Church. He has the task of building bridges between diverse and sometimes opposing groups Read more
Two protest vigils have been held for sacked Queensland bishop, William Morris and some Catholics are threatening to leave the Church as a result of the way the Pope has handled the situation. About 200 people gathered for a quiet prayer session opposite Bishop Morris’s Toowoomba home at Queen’s Park on Tuesday evening, while another Read more
Bishop of Toowoomba, William Morris announced his early retirement over the weekend, citing pressure from a disaffected group and a decision by Pope Benedict that he should be replaced. In making the announcement, Morris says he has been targeted over comments he made five years ago, comments that have been deliberately misrepresented. In a 2006 Read more