By Alison Sandy and Margaret Wenham
Courier Mail
February 12, 2009
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,25046018-3102,00.html
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| VATICAN'S wrath ... Bishop of Toowoomba William Morris is being investigated for possible insubordination for discussing the prospect of women or married priests in a pastoral letter. |
A CATHOLIC bishop in southern Queensland may get the sack for insubordination after being reported by the church's "temple police".
In the wake of rebel South Brisbane priest Father Peter Kennedy's dismissal, Toowoomba Bishop William Morris has admitted he's also under investigation after discussing the prospect of women or married priests in a pastoral letter.
He said the diocese was challenged by the ageing of its priests, most of whom would be eligible for retirement by 2014, leaving only six priests out of the full complement of 40.
The 65-year-old said the investigation had been going for two years, but a decision had not yet been made.
"The ultimate outcome is I'd be sacked and have to stand down," he said.
"Or they would ask me to resign or operate in another diocese ... at this stage, I don't know."
Bishop Morris, who has held the Toowoomba post for 16 years, said the church couldn't stifle debate and that's what the letter was promoting. "I will continue to fight for what I believe is the truth," he said.
"And I will continue to fight to be able to ask questions."
Bishop Morris said there was a group of very conservative Catholics dubbed the "temple police" who travelled around parishes dobbing in priests who didn't toe the line.
"There are plenty of temple police around at the moment," he said.
"They're not a large majority - they believe in their conservative views and if they don't agree with something, they'll write to Rome."
Bishop Morris said he hoped the investigation would be concluded this year, but even if he was sacked, he would still retain his title.
He said the same applied to Fr Kennedy even if he was excommunicated.
Brisbane Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby would not comment on the investigation of Bishop Morris except to say that Rome was constantly looking at such situations.
"There are rules and regulations in everything," he said.
However, Archbishop Bathersby said he would welcome change in the church.
"It's a church that's constantly reforming itself," he said.
"There's a lot of people agitating for a third Vatican Council and that could happen too - I'd love to see that happen."
Police yesterday paid a visit to Father Kennedy ahead of his impending eviction from St Mary's South Brisbane.
The visit, by two officers from the West End police station, came after police read in The Courier-Mail that Archbishop Bathersby intended enlisting their aid to forcibly eject Father Kennedy from his spiritual home of 28 years if he refused to give up his post.
"They said they wouldn't be taking sides. So long as we don't break any civil laws, they won't be taking any action," Father Kennedy said.
"I have assured them that I won't be doing anything to break the law."Fr Kennedy said the officers were well known to many in the St Mary's community who worked with disadvantaged people in the area and had conveyed to him their concern about being "the meat in the sandwich".
"Basically they said their role in the community is to keep the peace," he said.
"They said they wouldn't be taking sides. It's a policing matter for them and so long as we don't break any civil laws, they won't be taking any action.
"I have assured them that I won't be doing anything to break the law."
Father Kennedy's administration of St Mary's was terminated, effective February 21, by Archbishop Bathersby last Friday, following a series of exchanges between the two men.
In his February 6 letter, Archbishop Bathersby said he had requested changes if St Mary's was to be "in communion with the Archdiocese of Brisbane and the Roman Catholic Church" but the parish had "time and time again chosen to go its own way".
Fr Kennedy reiterated his intent to continue to attend services at St Mary's after his termination date, but said he did not intend to lead the masses.
He said Dean Ken Howell - appointed interim administrator by Archbishop Bathersby - was "welcome" to lead the mass.
"I don't intend to lead the Eucharist, I would simply be there," Fr Kennedy said.
The 71-year-old said he was shocked to read of the Archbishop's threat of forcible expulsion.
His eyes filled with tears as he considered the events of the past week.
"I feel no hostility to the Archbishop," he said.
"I've thanked him often for letting us be.
"To me its the betrayal thing. You give your life to this church and you've been a part of it. I've enjoyed being a priest all my life.
"You create a new way of being church - a Vatican II type of church - and you're told by John Bathersby that it's 'Filthy pride'."
St Mary's he said was being penalised for being alive, vital and filled with love.
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