Have Your Say 

Recent Comments

1. I am heartbroken that anyone could have the power to take away our lovely Bishop.

   Posted By: Margaret Atkinson Jandowae Qld

2. Bishops who have been holocaust deniers, or who have protected sex abusers, seem to receive more justice in the Church than people like Bill Morris who simply suggested it might be time for an honest conversation. Perhaps if those people who feared the future so much, mistrusted their fellow Catholics by always believing that people will do the wrong thing, and who also have an overwhelming need to control others could fall in love with Jesus of Nazareth again - or get therapy - we'd be in a more hope-filled position.

   Posted By: Julie

3. The enforced retirement of Bishop Bill is symptomatic of a malaise in the Catholic Church where fear of change leads to the muzzling of much-needed debate and consultation on our future direction.
   We face a crisis in the priesthood where aged pastors frequently continue to function despite failing health and basically, exhaustion.
   I believe, but cannot prove, that there is a bias in the recruitment of applicants to the priesthood where a conservative predisposition is favoured.
   Finally, the Church, which is not just the Pope and Curia, but the whole people of God, needs servant leaders like Bishop Bill, if we are to weather the storms of the 21st Century.

   Posted By: Kevin

4. We are in a time of a shortage of priests and are trying to fill the gaps by importing priests - many of whom have different cultural backgrounds to the culture of Australia - and by welcoming married Anglican pastors and their families into catholicism.
   It seems therefore a shortsighted move to force the resignation of such a good man and excellent priest as William Morris.
   It grieves me to be a member of an institution which disallows freedom of opinion and punishes those who are willing to open their minds to new ways of serving God's people.

   Posted By: jill Uhr

5. What a sad day the the Catholic Church of Australia when one of our most pastoral Bishops is forced out of his ministry by a gutless group of Chinese whisperers all because they do not agree with comments made by Bishop Morris.
   These groups really ned to sit down a have a good look at themselves because their actions are not those of Christians.

   Posted By: Shane

6. 'I live, no tis not I that lives it is Christ who lives in me' wrote St Paul 2,000 years ago.
   Those words found a deep-lived meaning in me when I encountered Bishop Morris at the Parish Jubilee celebrations in Mitchell in Western Queensland several years ago.
   He has an extraordinary capacity to lead his people in the truth and practice of our Catholic faith, and care for them in love and compassion, in one of our most widespread rural Dioceses.
   For the future life of our Catholic Church, we need more leaders like him, not fewer!
   Who is advocating for real truth and justice on his behalf?

   Posted By: Patty Andrew

7. What a blessing for Queensland. Let's hope the next bishop will have the strength of character to undo the wrongs done.

   Posted By: William Marteau

8. Bishop Bill has been accused of some (apparently) departure from church doctrine or dogma by some unknown person or persons.
   He has been investigated by an American Archbishop and has not been told what the investigation found or even given the opportunity of defending himself.
   What is known that he has been asked to vacate his post as Bishop of Toowoomba, i.e., he has been now found guilty of an offence, indiscretion, heresy (or whatever it is called) so heinous that he has lost the confidence of Pope Benedict XVI.
   His accusers are faceless and nameless. Sure they have the right to complain to the Vatican if they see some divergence by Bishop Bill from matters of teaching and Magisterium.
   I do not criticise their right to complain but I do strongly disagree with the way the complaints have been accepted as proven without the accused being given the very basic right to defend himself.
   Maybe those who have complained would be prepared to tell the many thousands of devastated Catholics in the Toowoomba Diocese who have lost a dearly loved and respected pastor what he did that so breached the Church’s doctrine or whatever it was that resulted in his removal.
   If that occurred our anger and dismay may be abated
   I have difficulty in trying to come up with another example to compare with this monumental instance of denial of natural justice.

   Posted By: Patrick Nunan

9. Why are some so afraid to think oustide the square in this Church and read the 'signs of the times'?
   There is a crisis in this Church and instead of it being properly responded to, it is being left to the fear mongers and those who want control and power.
   Where is Jesus in all of this, or has he become too radical to talk about as well?

   Posted By: Cath

10. We cannot discuss 'women priests'? Read Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-41 and Matthew 8:14-15 - where Jesus cured the mother of Peter's wife. A married Pope was the first priest!

    Posted By: Laurie

11. The forced retirement of Bishop Morris is all about power and control and has nothing, and I repeat nothing, to do with the spread of the Gospel message and the building of the People of God in the Catholic tradition of Christainity.

    Posted By: Bernie Moore

12. Nevr in my wildest dreams did I think that I would ever agree with 'ousted' priest Peter Kennedy.
    However, I agree with him that this treatment of a good and holy man is apalling!

    Posted By: Thomas Curran

13. How sad this is. I can only think of the words of Christ as expressed in Matthew Chapter 23: Woe to you experts in the law who burden people with impossible demands and then don't lift a finger to help them.
    
    It seems to me that some people in the Catholic Church are very concerned with the law of the Church and little else. To me this sort of religion is blind. How dare they pull the speck from their brother's eyes when they cannot see the plank in their own?
    
    I do wish Bishop Morris all the best for this life and the next. And also to all the members of his former congregation.
    
    As for those who live and die by the law I suggest reading and then pondering on Matthew Chapter 23 may be a worthwhile exercise.

    Posted By: Mike Gardiner

14. Some news items hit the head, others the heart. This announcement hits both head and heart.
    I know of Bishop Morris only from reading some his words over the years - but each time they have inspired me and I have thought 'what a genuine pastor in the spirit of Jesus'.
    But, once again, tragically, the institution has won out over love and allowing a pastor to use the intelligence given to him by God.
    If the institution has no place for a person such as William Morris as a bishop, I can only assume it would prefer not to have me as a layman. However, I will stick in there as my allegiance is first and foremost to Jesus Christ.

    Posted By: Jim

15. This is a secondary issue, but Bishop Morris refers, in his letter to the diocese, to an old priest getting an invitation from “a couple whom he had married twenty-five years previously”.
    Contrary to what the bishop and many other Catholics might think, priests do not administer marriage in the Latin Rite. The ministers of the sacrament of matrimony are the bride and groom.
    

    Posted By: Denis Goodwin

16. This decision makes me very sad, and I struggle to see the Spirit at work here.
    I have always admired Bishop Morris for his integrity and pastoral care of the People of God in Toowoomba and its far-flung parishes.
    May God give him strength and deep peace.

    Posted By: Liz

17. What a tragic day for our Church! Bill Morris was one of the Australian bishops who understood the needs of the Australian Church, esp in our outback areas like the Toowoomba diocese.

    Posted By: John Swann

18. So we lose another great Bishop who stands for equality and justice. Jesus used women and men equally; why can't the institutional church?

    Posted By: Mary O'Brien

19. The sacking of Bishop Bill Morris is a sad day for the church.
    Without the right to a defence, an enormous injustice is inflicted on a truly pastoral and compassionate bishop.

    Posted By: terry fitz south brisbane

20. This story about Bishop William Morris' pastoral letter announcing his early retirement from his diocese in Toowoomba has naturally generated many repsonses to the CathNews discussion board.
    Bearing in mind the editorial guidelines which apply to all material appearing on CathNews, I will publish as many of these as possible in their entireity.
    However, comments which are immoderate will either be edited or deleted entirely.
    - Publisher,
    CathNews

    Posted By: Christine Hogan

21. Bishop Morris claims he was not given the opportunity to defend himself in the process.
    This is a man who has given his life to the service of the Catholic church. Yet the institutional church acts on the reports of cloak–and-dagger dobbers and thus deprives the vast majority of Toowoomba Catholics of a Bishop they love and respect.
    One wonders how Bp Morris’ views could be so detrimental, when they were known about from 2006 but nothing was seen wrong in his shepherding the people in his care until 2011.
    This is a victory for backstabbers. Canon Law 416 states: “An episcopal see is vacant upon the death of a diocesan bishop, resignation accepted by the Roman Pontiff, transfer, or privation made known to the bishop”. Privation can, according to Canon Lawyers, only occur if there has been ecclesiastical crime.
    So, however one views it, this honourable Bishop is left under a cloud. It seems the people of Toowoomba lose a Bishop, while others lose credibility.

    Posted By: PM, Eden

22. Sadly, the Pharisees remain amongst us - self-righteous and sanctimonious people who prefer to judge and condemn instead of seeking to listen and dialogue.

    Posted By: Kathleen Cudmore

23. There is a deep sadness in Queensland over the retirement of Bp Bill Morris.
    Sadness for Bp Bill himself, for the priests and people of the Toowoomba diocese, and indeed for the church in Australia.
    There are two reasons for this sadness: Firstly, that Bp Morris has become known as a true shepherd during the past 18 years and is therefore much admired and appreciated by the people he has served so generously.
    The second reason is that the issues of disagreement could not have been resolved in a more satisfactory way.
    Bp Bill Morris has not only been loved and admired in Toowoomba for his involvement in civic affairs and justice issues but also for the strong contribution he has made to the church in Queensland.
    Beyond this, he has been a very valued member of the ACBC, and has played a significant role in many important committees.
    He will be sadly missed by many in his flock, and many, many others further afield.
    - Diocese of Rockhampton

    Posted By: Bp Brian Heenan

24. I don't know Bishop Bill Morris personally, but his early retirement does seem to be a little harsh when one considers the subject matter that he was supposedly 'heretically' discussing.
    The great, Blessed pope John Paul 11 had ruled out the possibility of admitting women priests in this unambiguous encyclical Ordinatio Sacerdotalis in 1994.
    It seems to me to be a question of obedience and entering into territory that had been closed off by the above mentioned document.
    The mind of the Church seems to me to be clear in that regard, which mirrors the views of the Orthodox Church in the East.

    Posted By: Gerry McIvor

25. There will be a lot of discussion about this over the coming weeks.
    I’d like to propose a few observations:
    If the Bishop was teaching things that are contrary to Catholic teaching, then lay people have every right to challenge this. Speaking the truth is a charitable act.
    Bishop Chaput is an honourable Christian and a strong defender of the faith. Any assessment would have been honest, accurate and fair.
    It is naive to suggest that this event has occurred through a misunderstanding as it has been going on for five years.

    Posted By: LG

26. Another inland tsunami for Toowoomba's Catholic community ...
    'Indeed, well-founded fears arise that very often we are still far from this actualization [Declaration of Human Rights] and that at times the spirit of social and public life is painfully opposed to the declared 'letter' of human rights.' Blessed John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis, Par 17

    Posted By: Al

27. This is indeed a sad day for Bp Bill Morris, the people of his diocese and for the Church in our country. It is a defeat for grace, truth, justice and for our faith.
    Why on earth Abp Chaput of Denver was imported to do the Apostolic Visitation we will probably never know. 'Pontifical Secrecy' will prevail.
    The Archbishop and his predecessor, Cardinal Stafford, have presided over programs of 'reform' which have systematically demoralised vast numbers of Denver Catholics principally by entrenching and legitimising those of the conservative 'remnant' mentality.
    It seems that lay people of a similar mind have targeted +Bill Morris and probably succeeded in gaining a sympathetic hearing from bureaucrats in Rome.
    A search of a few websites will reveal these cells of disaffection and resentment.
    There is similar lay group HQed in a rural Victorian diocese who watch the situation closely and report 'abuses' often directly to Rome.
    Activity will intensify come Advent when they'll be out looking for instances of priests who fail 'to read black and do red' at Mass.
    Thank you, Bp Heenan, for your pastoral courage and example. Your words speak volumes in terms of Gospel encouragement. Thank you.

    Posted By: David Timbs

28. This outcome is disgraceful and extemely hurtful, not only to Bishop Morris but to thousands of catholics in every diocese across Australia who try to serve Our Lord as he deserves.

    Posted By: David

29. The irony! The forced retirement of Bishop Bill Morris has stolen the newspaper headlines from the beatification of Pope John Paul II who bedazzled the media during his lifetime apparently for engaging the wider world and bringing down the authoritarian regimes behind the iron curtain.
    But that reputation is in stark contrast to the institutional church’s treatment of faithful but dissenting viewpoints within.
    As a result, we now have a church almost systematically denuded of theologians and pastors prepared to lead the church in our contemporary world in accord with the teachings and traditions of the scriptures and of the second Vatican ecumenical council established by Pope John XXIII.
    Bishop Bill Morris follows in the dignified, faithful and reforming footsteps of Fr Hans Kung, and many others in less prominent roles in the Australian church, earning the respect and support of the community of faith in his diocese and beyond.
    He might have been squeezed out of the hierarchy, but not out of the hearts and minds of those who see a better way of being the authentic Catholic Church.
    

    Posted By: Mike W

30. On the same day when Pope John Paul II is beatified comes the news of the dismissal of Bishop Bill Morris from the Toowoomba Diocese.
    There is much to ponder here.
    Crowds of people gathered in great joy in Rome and other parts of the world for a man who had clearly touched their lives powerfully.
    At the same time, the denial of justice in transparent Church processes and the inability to not only encourage but even tolerate healthy dialogue on issues that clearly need to be talked about in the Church are part of the legacy of JPII.
    Any organisation which becomes closed in its way of addressing difference is not a healthy one.
    It is only in each person speaking their truth honestly and with respectful listening that the Spirit is operating.

    Posted By: Peter Dowling

31. One thing will happen when the dust has settled fewer and fewer men will accept the job of being a Bishop. The role will be seen as a 'poisioned chalice'.

    Posted By: D.A. Davies

32. Everyone seems very emotional about the retirement of Bishop Morris.
    By reading the comments, it seems that he opened the discusion for women priest, a subject that JP11 closed years ago.
    Are the people of Toowoomba so full of pride that they, in disobiediance to the Church's teaching, still want women priests?
    Please note, as a man I can never be a nun, nor can I fill the position of my wife in my marriage.
    Women has a strong role within the Catholic church. A necessary role that cannot be filled by a man.
    Our Lady understood that role and filled it perfectly and she is a very strong role model.

    Posted By: Anthony

33. Having made his own bed, Bishop Morris is left with no alternative but to lie in it.

    Posted By: Peter

34. Bishop William Morris has the courage to say what most thinking people can see as fairly obvious.
    More bishops need respectfully to raise their voices so that the Pope will see that this is an issue that affects our church and it cannot be brushed aside.

    Posted By: Gideon Goosen Sydney

35. I am deeply saddened and offended as a member of our Church to see a man like Bishop Bill Morris being forced to leave his ministry as Bishop of Toowoomba.
    He is loved by the vast majority of the people in his diocese. He is a man of integrity and has a great ability to lead his people in the way Jesus would want.
    Why has it happened that a man of such faith and integrity is forced to retire when others who should be out of office remain?
    I wish Bishop Bill every blessing as he continues on the road of life and pray that those accuse him of unknown 'faults' will come to know Jesus better and walk in his ways.

    Posted By: Margaret Costello

36. The pharisees are alive and well.
    Christ is still being crucified.

    Posted By: Anne

37. It is certainly a sad day for the Toowoomba Diocese but I think, in fairness to the Pope, we have to objectively look at the Bishop's actions.
    This investigative process has been going on for years with the Bishop conceding in his letter: - 'ongoing dialogue between myself and Congregations for Bishops, Divine Worship and Doctrine of the Faith and eventually Pope Benedict'.
    I believe everybody agrees the Bishop is a good man and this fact is not in dispute.
    It is clear though that substantive disagreement exists with the Bishop having ample opportunity to amend his views - which he has not been prepared to do.
    

    Posted By: Geoff

38. The early retirement of Toowoomba’s Bishop William Morris for alleged doctrinal disobedience in supporting the ordination of women priests inter alia, highlights the elephant in the aisle.
    And that is that it is reality that no pope has spoken infallibly on this issue, despite the late Pope John Paul II’s warning that Catholics shouldn’t even talk about it.
    Bishop Morris acted in accordance with his conscience, which even the Vatican recognizes outranks papal orders.
    And, although Jesus didn’t, in fact, ordain anyone, male or female, the records do show that the Roman Catholic church indeed ordained women as priests centuries ago, and most recently in the 1970s, approved the practice in Czechoslovakia to meet the needs of the underground church there.
    

    Posted By: Brian Haill - Melbourne

39. What a sad day for the people of God.
    I cannot imagine Jesus would be happy to see this power struggle result in the loss to us all of a good and wise man.

    Posted By: MJC

40. Bishop William Morris has the courage to say what most thinking people can see as fairly obvious.
    I can only pray that his courage may help empower some of our other bishops to respectfully raise their voices too, so that the Pope will see that this is an issue that affects our church and
    it cannot be brushed aside.
    

    Posted By: annette milross

41. What a sad day for catholicism when it is more concerned for the institution than the people. Makes me not want to be catholic anymore.
    

    Posted By: Katrina

42. Pope Benedict welcomes and shakes the hand of President Mugabe, yet sacks a man who has never had anything but the best interest of his people and diocese at heart?

    Posted By: Katrina

43. I congratulate and thank Bishop Bill for his courage, justice and truth. It is sad that leaders of our Church have to resign from leadership because of the injustice, fear and power within hierarchy of the Church.
    Bishop Bill's and other church leaders like him are the true Christ figures. . We are living in a church that is full of fear and where there is fear there is no room for the Spirit. Our thoughts and prayers go with you, Bishop Bill

    Posted By: Abbie

44. One commentator asked 'where is Christ' in all this? In my view, he is sadly absent.
    

    Posted By: Alex Masszauer

45. I am proud to have served on the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council for some years with Bishop Bill Morris.
    He was a gentle, inspiring man, respected by all for his integrity.
    No doubt he will be very hurt by the way his leadership has been called into question.
    The people of the Toowoomba diocese are the losers. God help us in the Church if we are no longer able to make suggestions for what we consider to be in the best interests of those we serve.
    My promise to Bishop Bill is to pray for him at ths time of suffering. I hope he is comforted by the support and encouragement of his many friends.

    Posted By: Anne Forbes

46. Loyalty to the church? Writing to the Courier Mail doesn't strike me as such.
    I'm sorry but I won't shed many tears at his passing from the See of Toowoomba.

    Posted By: Peter, Canberra, Australia

47. This position that has been forced on Bill Morris bears a close resemblance to Jesus being lead before the Sanhedrin and judged as being in the wrong in the time leading up to Good Friday.
    Why is it that a small group of dissenters (yet again), can bring about changes in leadership or processes in parishes and dioceses, without a broader listening to what really happened or is occurring?
    Losing such a man of integrity, compassion and leadership is a great loss to not only the Queensland Church but the Australian church.

    Posted By: Lorraine

48. Brian Haill refers to a woman's ordination in Czechoslovakia in the 1970s.
    Czech Cardinal Vlk [former archbishop of Prague] commented on this matter:
    Beginning in 1968, however, Cardinal Vlk reported that Bishop Blaha and one episcopal [colleague], Bishop Felix Davidek, began to go beyond the realm of ecclesiastical laws, and 'abused' the special trust of the Vatican.
    These two bishops, Cardinal Vlk said, were responsible for the ordination of many married men, and the ceremony in which Ludmilla Javorova was allegedly ordained - although that 'ordination' was clearly invalid.

    Posted By: FATHER JOHN GEORGE

49. I met Bill Morris years ago, and was impressed with his love of the church and his pastoral heart.
    I am really saddened by the news that the church is losing this very pastoral man from the college of bishops.

    Posted By: Patricia

50. What a sad situation. And once again we are left the poorer.
    How come, especially in this day and age, that our Church can muzzle discussion and a search for the truth is the signs of the times?
    

    Posted By: Judy Brown

51. Bp Bill Morris out, Robert Mugabe in at the Vatican according to Monday's Australian p 13.
    Makes me hang my head in shame to be a Roman Catholic.

    Posted By: Stephen

52. One continues to be disappointed and amazed at the actions of Catholic hierarchy. This time, undisclosed findings have forced the early retirement of Bishop Bill Morris whose statements happen to reflect what most of us 'we the Church' actually believe (whether it’s of the 88% who have left the church or of the 12% who still remain). But as so often happens, courageous statements that imply change, such as Bishop Bill's, do not blend with institutional inertia and a power structure designed for self-preservation.
    Did not Jesus have similar problems: a denial of natural justice from the entrenched hierarchy of His time?
    Does anyone see the absurdity and incongruity that on the day of the beatification of John Paul II, coinciding with the effective sacking of Bishop Bill, we also see Pope Benedict shaking hands to welcome an international thug, Robert Mugabe, to the Vatican for the John Paul II beatification ceremony?
    Too awful for words... stop here.

    Posted By: Rod

53. Bishop Bill is yet another victim of systemic injustice!
    We need to pull together towards reconciliation and peace through 'People Power for Justice'.
    Only by our uniting at the grassroots of the Church will the Spirit be able to use us to show the face and heart of Jesus to the world.
    

    Posted By: Diana Law

54. It is gratifying that Bispop Brian Heenan has written in support of of Bill Morris.

    Posted By: Patrick Nunan

55. This situation is tragic, but again a prophet is rarely recognised in his/her own country.
    It seems priests/bishops are easily discarded for having some creative thinking about pastoral problems. Most thinking Catholics are very distressed by the 'thought police' placing more importance on 'the law' than 'the essence' of the Gospel.
    Why did so many clerical sexual predators manage to escape any kind of censor for years?
    We cannot afford to lose good pastoral bishops and priests.
    Would Jesus recognize His church today?

    Posted By: Margaret M.Coffey

56. Bless you, Bishop Morris.
    May you have time in your retirement to do all those things that being a Bishop has denied you - and may God lead you into a new beginning enabling you to continue a ministry which blesses the people of God.

    Posted By: Anne

57. If the notion of religious freedom is to be respected, it is the right of any church to define the boundaries if its own beliefs.
    'It is to be definitively held by all Catholics that the Church has no power whatsoever to ordain women.' - Pope John Paul II
    Bishop Morris, no matter how nice a man, should go if he does not hold to that doctrine.
    Now, he's free to believe what he chooses, but he should not be in a position of chief shepherd and teacher if he has doctrinal problems with the Catholic Church.
    (Priestly celibacy is a different issue because it is a matter of discipline, not doctrine.)
    Pope Benedict XVII has done the right thing for the integrity of doctrine. In the pop-culture, it's called 'tough love.' I consider the removal an act of love for the man and for the greater good.

    Posted By: Christopher

58. Why would that cause any bona fide Catholic heartbreak that there is a Pope with the power to appoint and remove all bishops who fail to adhere to common rules and abide by oaths of obedience is a central defining feature of Roman Catholicism?

    Posted By: Louis

59. The picture of Benedict XVI welcoming Robert Mugabe to the beatification of John Paul II was extraordinarily prophetic.
    Welcome to the sacrifice of human rights.

    Posted By: Bernie Edwards

60. Actions such as this are alienating many Catholics worldwide.

    Posted By: Terry O'Neill

61. When Arbp Chaput went to Toomwoomba last year, it was reported that the other Qld bishops supported Bp Morris' right to express his views.
    Will Toowoomba priests also take a public stand — even if only in their sermons or by a petition? What have they got to lose?
    Priests, take your courage in your hands and don't leave it all to the laity.
    There was never any hope that Arbp Chaput was the man to deliver an objective and balanced report.
    +Charles Chaput is so far out on the conservative authoritarian wing of the American Bishops' Conference — not exactly a nest of liberals themselves — that he has not been able to convince them to support his campaign to deny Communion to pro-choice Catholic politicians.
    
    

    Posted By: conor bradley

62. I beleive that married Catholic Priests are a necessity in this day when there is such a shortage.
    What is the difference of letting Anglican married priests into the church and letting existing or past Priests marry?
    Also you are seeing droves of Parishioners leave the church because they can't understand the Nigerian or imported priests dialects.
    You might as well put the mass back in Latin.

    Posted By: Isaac Johnston

63. All the opinions here seem to be polarized. Either people love Bishop Morris or they can't stand him.
    Perhaps the use of an analogy might be useful.
    What if a Muslim cleric decided to question if it were permissible to eat pork and drink alcohol? How warmly would the breaking and questioning of traditions be received in the larger Islamic community?
    Why then would Bishop Morris' opinions be treated any differently?

    Posted By: Albert Burton

64. I wish to add to a post earlier and also to concur with Conor Bradley's remarks on the role of Abp Chaput OFMcap of Denver in the +Bill Morris intervention.
    The Archbishop is well known, along with Card George, OMI of Chicago, as one of the 'hard' men of the US episcopate and a strong advocate of Roman centralised power and promoter of conservative movements in the American Church.
    Having said that, it is interesting to note that Abp Chaput must have had something of a moral dilemma facing him in accepting the Roman brief for his role as Apostolic Visitor.
    His own words: 'I have neither the authority nor the bad sense to meddle in the life of a sister local Church' and affirming that he won't 'intrude on the ministry of a brother bishop.' CNA, 26/05/10.
    Clearly the Colorado River flows into the Tiber.
    

    Posted By: David Timbs

65. I am a Catholic who grew up in Toowoomba, went through the Catholic school system and regularly went to church.
    Recently I can't be bothered any more and it's mostly due to this sort of outdated attitude. It just seems irrelevant now.
    All Bishop Bill was doing was opening up discussion of how to improve the church.
    I am sorry to hear he is retiring and am sorry to say that the church will just be seen as irrelevant to more and more people.

    Posted By: Michael

66. I strongly support the Holy Father's decision to sack Bp Bill Morris. Bishops must uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church.
    Unfortunately, the Church is rampant with 'progressive Catholicism' which promotes dissidence.
    No doubt Bp Morris is a good man and has good intentions, but this is besides the point.
    Official Church teaching is to be adhered to and upheld at all costs, and there is definitely no need to change it.

    Posted By: John Muir

67. John Muir: The Holy Father did not sack Bp Morris. The Bishop of Rome did.
    God would not be at all upset about married priests or women priests.

    Posted By: Charles

68. A reflection for us all to consider given the circumstances surrounding the 'removal' of Bishop Morris.
    'All that is true, all that is worthy of reference, all that is holy and good, all that is lovely to look at and hear, all that has virtue and all that deserves praise: Let this be the content of your thinking.'

    Posted By: susan seaton

69. Katrina, Stephen, Rod, Bernie: Mugabe was invited to the beatification, not as a personal honour to the man, but as an honour to the nation of Zimbabwe, by virtue of his office, as were all the heads of state of countries which have diplomatic relations with the Holy See.
    Australia, like all other major countries, also maintains relations with the current and only recognised legitimate government of Zimbabwe consisting of a power-sharing government in which Mugabe's bitter enemy Morgan Tsvangirai is Prime Minister.
    

    Posted By: Peter G

70. Peter G: The invitation of Mugabe is still a disgraceful act.
    Would Rome have invited Hitler as head of state?
    At least the English queen had the courtesy to humanity to withdraw the invitation of the Syrian ambassador to the marriage of Kate and Will.

    Posted By: Charles

71. Where is the Holy Spirit when a man of the people can be summarily dismissed on the basis of information provided by a group of dissidents.
    Soon there will be no more followers of Christ left for them to crucify.
    Little wonder our Church is in such a parlous state when such a good man as Bill is treated in such a way.
    True followers of Christ who wish to see our Church grow and develop are disgusted with the abject gutlessness of these anonymous critics who have no vision and 'attack the player rather than the ball'.
    Bill has displayed great character and courage something which his critics have no insight into.

    Posted By: Pete Dowling

72. The archbshop needed to have lived in Quilpie for at least 12 months prior to his report recommending the dismissal of Bishop Bill.

    Posted By: Sr. Rita Grunke

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2. Sth Aust MPs against bill to allow euthanasia

   All five MPs speaking in the South Australian Parliament yesterday indicated they would block a plan supported by Health Minister John Hill to give doctors a legal defence for providing pain-relieving drugs that hasten death, reports AdelaideNow.

3. Church must welcome migrants, Vatican official tells Australian chaplains

   The Church expects welcome from its own ranks for migrants - not just from governments and other organisations, a Vatican official responsible for migrants issues told Chaplains during a pastoral visit to Australia, according to Fides.

4. Newcastle church covenant renewed

   An alliance among the Anglican and Catholic dioceses of Newcastle, along with the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay, was renewed last night at Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle, reports the Newcastle Herald.

5. Archbishop, priests respond to Bishop Morris retirement

   Brisbane's Archbishop John Bathersby says the Pope must have had a good reason to sack the bishop of the Diocese of Toowoomba in Queensland, but he's not been privy to the details of the case, reports AAP in the Sydney Morning Herald.