Community Rallies behind Bishop, by Kerri Burns-Taylor, Warwick Daily News, May 4, 2011

Community Rallies behind Bishop

By Kerri Burns-Taylor
Warwick Daily News
May 4, 2011

http://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/story/2011/05/04/community-rallies-for-bishop-warwick/

Bishop William Morris was forced into early retirement by the Vatican.

THE forced retirement of Catholic Bishop William Morris continues to make headlines across the country, as people rally behind the ousted diocese leader.

Toowoomba's Fr Hal Ranger – who was a parish priest at Warwick for many years – yesterday slammed the Vatican for what he said was its heavy-handed treatment of the revered bishop.

“I'm very sad and pretty angry because it's an awful overreaction. The penalty does not fit the crime,” Fr Ranger said.

Fr Ranger said his phone had been ringing off the hook, with calls from shocked and saddened parishioners wishing to pledge their support for the bishop.

There have been many reports of parishioners breaking down and sobbing at the news of Bishop Morris's retirement at the weekend.

“What Bishop Morris has done has been proving himself by way of leadership and has been supported enthusiastic by people in the community,” Fr Ranger said.

Assumption College P&F president Bill McVeigh said the forced retirement was a harsh reaction for a good man.

“My kids made their first communion at Yangan and he officiated, even though there were only half a dozen kids,” he said.

“Nothing was too small for him to attend.”

Although the loss of the bishop is being felt throughout the diocese, Mr McVeigh said the loss was a second blow for the Warwick area, which was just getting over the loss of the late Father Kevin Noble.

“Warwick, Yangan, Allora and Killarney have had to deal with the loss of Fr Noble and now they're losing the bishop,” Mr McVeigh said.

Mr McVeigh said he remembered the late Father Noble telling him that if he ever found himself out of a job there were always plenty in the priesthood.

While Mr McVeigh said he had no problem with priests being allowed the option to marry, he said he respected everyone had their own opinion on the matter.

“If it's a means to an end and gets priests back to the church, then why not?” Mr McVeigh asked.

“The first popes were all married – it's only a man-made rule.”

Federal member for Maranoa Bruce Scott yesterday expressed his sadness and disappointment at the news of Bishop Morris's retirement.

“I have a great deal of respect for Bishop Morris and I am sorry to hear that he is retiring early under these circumstances,” Mr Scott said.

“I will miss him and so will the Maranoa electorate.”

These comments follow those of several senior Toowoomba priests, who yesterday released a statement describing Bishop Morris as a person of integrity, truthfulness and grace.

The priests express their disappointment the Bishop has not been treated fairly or respectfully and say the continual complaints of a small group of disaffected people have brought this consequence.