The Australian site of  Congregation of the Mission weighs in and presents  reactions to the forced retirement of  the Bishop of Toowoomba (Queensland), Bishop Bill Morris.

May 5, 2011 The recent announcement of the removal of the Bishop of Toowoomba (Queensland), Bishop Bill Morris, is causing much concern in Catholic Church circles in Australia.  It is also being reported elsewhere – as indicated by   National Catholic Reporter’s  item for May 2nd titled Pope removes bishop who expressed openness to ordaining women.    The terse letter from the Apostolic Nunciature in Canberra announcing Bishop Morris’ “retirement” can be read on the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Site .   The message from Bishop Morris to the Diocese of Toowoomba can be read through the link  Pastoral Letter .

See also

National Council of Priests support for Bishop Bill Morris

BELMONT VIC: The National Council of Priests of Australia Executuve (NCP)  has issued a Media  Release concerning the forced early retirement of Bishop William Morris of Toowomba.    The statement says in part  – “The NCP executive would like to express its sadness at the forced early retirement of Bishop William Morris of Toowoomba. We are appalled at the lack of transparency and due process that led to this decision by Church authorities. We are embarrassed about the shabby treatment meted out to an outstanding Pastor of this diocese who has faithfully ministered in the Church in Queensland and throughout Australia since his priestly ordination in 1969. We are concerned about an element within the Church whose restorationist ideology wants to repress freedom of expression within the Roman Catholic Church and who deny the legitimate magisterial authority of the local Bishop within the Church….. “ Papal Power in Toowoomba and Church credibility in public order issues

MELBOURNE: Andrew Hamilton writes for Eureka Street on May 4 2011 on Papal authority and the removal of Bishop Bill Morris  – Confidence in any governance, including that of the Church, is weakened where there is a lack of transparency and of due process in the making of decisions that cause harm to people. Lack of accountability injures the human dignity of the people affected. Confidence grows when there is due accountability……. Modern societies rightly put much weight on transparency. Its absence is taken to discredit the institutions in which it is lacking. After the forced resignation of Bishop Morris it will be even harder for Catholics to win a hearing on issues that affect the public order.   [Read full article]

See also:   Advent Pastoral Letter 2006(Bishop William Morris, Toowomba) .  Note that this is the Pastoral Letter that was the source of complaints from some of the local  “Temple Police” .

Fr Frank Brennan SJ responds to Bishop’s early retirement

LINDEN NSW: The Catholica Site has posted a letter from Fr Frank Brennan SJ  (Public Policy Institute, Australian Catholic University) responding to the “early retirement” of Bishop Bill Morris  of Toowoomba Qld.  [Read Letter]

See also: The Australian (May 2, 2011)..