By Kristin Shorten and Brooke Baskin
The Courier-Mail
May 3, 2011
http://www.news.com.au/national/toowoomba-bishop-william-morris-resignation-confirmed-by-pope-benedict-xvi-in-statement-from-vatican/story-e6frfkvr-1226048833995
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| CONTROVERSY: Richard Stokes, says the accused "Temple police" were a "figment of the imagination" Source: The Courier-Mail |
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| Bishop William Morris has retired early amid claims he was "forced out" by a hard right Catholic faction for being progressive. Picture: File Source: AFP |
A GANG of right-wing Catholics, dubbed the "Temple police", are being blamed for the downfall of Toowoomba Bishop William Morris.
The group, which allegedly travelled around parishes to spy on progressive priests who do not toe the Vatican line, was believed to be involved in the popular priest's ousting, reported The Courier-Mail.
The Pope last night renounced Bishop Morris' leadership over his support for ordaining women as priests among other liberal reforms.
Bishop Morris shocked supporters at the weekend by announcing he had been forced into early retirement after falling out with the Vatican and the Pope.
The 68-year-old's retirement followed a five-year investigation by the Vatican believed to have been sparked by a "disaffected" ultra-orthodox group which disagreed with his progressive views.
Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby last night paid tribute to Bishop Morris and acknowledged "matters of concern" between Bishop Morris and the Vatican had culminated in his retirement.
The Archbishop said Bishop Brian Finnigan would make a "very capable" replacement.
Bishop Finnigan acknowledged that some members of the Toowoomba diocese would be disappointed and angered by the change, but called for the community to move forward.
"Hopefully there can be growth, whatever the feelings, as we all hear the call for reconciliation, conversion, forgiveness, service and the Lord's desire that we advance towards fullness of life."
But the man accused of heading the cohort of conservative Catholics, Richard Stokes, said the accused "Temple police" were a "figment of the imagination".
"There's no group, this is all a conspiracy theory," he said. "I'm not a big wheel. I don't have troops or a cohort or a phalanx. I know other people who think like me but we're all individuals."
The Morayfield grandfather, 69, admitted he had exposed other clergy who opposed the orthodox teaching, including former Catholic priest Peter Kennedy.
"When I write to Rome, and I do write to Rome, and I get answers, all we're concerned about is if it's done wrong, we say this is what happened," Mr Stokes said. "When you have a priest who is disobedient, it is an offence against God."
Mr Stokes said he always wrote to Brisbane's Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby before forwarding his concerns directly to the Vatican.
"Once I've done that my conscience is clear," he said.
Despite his role in the 2009 sacking of Mr Kennedy after reporting his "improper practises" to Rome, Mr Stokes denied having any involvement in the downfall of Bishop Morris.
Mr Stokes, who attends mass daily, has no role in the church other than an "ordinary person going to mass".
Toowoomba's Roman Catholic community will hold a candlelight vigil tonight to show their support for Bishop William.
Parishioner Pat Nunan said grief in the Toowoomba diocese was palpable.
"He is without doubt a magnificent bishop, a great and courageous leader and a practical man who knows his diocese like no other," he said.
"His loss is huge."
Dalby's Fr Michael Cooney said it was a tragedy "particularly as he had no defence and no right of reply"."There's nothing like that for bishops and I think in this day and age, that's barbaric." Melbourne University Vice-Chancellors Fellow and former Catholic priest Peter Norden said the Church insisted on recruiting priests from abroad who often had "no understanding of the equal rights of women in the Australian community".
"It's stuck in a particular model that doesn't seem to be producing leaders as priests, but is certainly producing a lot of conformists," he said.
Fr Peter Kennedy, ousted from St Mary's South Brisbane in 2009, said the situation was appalling with parishioners "walking away in droves".
Archbishop of Brisbane John Bathersby said last night: "The Diocese of Toowoomba has been under the leadership of Bishop Bill Morris for the past 18 years and I pay tribute to his pastoral care of the Diocese during this time.
"I am aware there had been matters of concern between Bishop Morris and the Holy See in recent years which have culminated in today's announcement.
"Bishop Brian Finnigan will make a very capable Apostolic Administrator of the Toowoomba Diocese. Bishop Brian has diligently served as one of my auxillary bishops since 2002 and is a former General Secretary of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference. I am only too happy to assist Bishop Morris and Bishop Finnigan in this time of change for the Diocese of Toowoomba and its priests and people.
"I will continue to pray for Bishop Morris, Bishop Finnigan and the priests, religious and people of the Diocese of Toowoomba."
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