Letters

Bishop or Pope?

Eric Rickards

Contents - Jul 2011 - Buy a copy now Homily: Benedict XVI: Sts Peter and Paul and the role of bishops - Pope Benedict XVI News: The Church Around the World Events: G.K. Chesterton conference for Sydney - September 2011 - Karl Schmude Universae Ecclesiae: Vatican document strengthens use of the traditional Latin liturgy - Fr Glen Tattersall Steubenville: How a university's Catholic identity was recovered - AD2000 Report Pro-Life: Hungary's new pro-life 'Easter' Constitution - Babette Francis Poetry: A Prayer for Mothers - Cardinal Mindszenty Whatever happened to the virtue of obedience? - Bishop Julian Porteous Hugh O'Flaherty: The priest who converted his former Nazi enemy - Stephen Walker Lübeck martyrs of the Nazis beatified on 25 June - Frank Mobbs What attracts converts to the Catholic Church? - Fr F.E. Burns Letters: Disunity - Kara Ward Letters: Bishop or Pope? - Eric Rickards Letters: Lack of vocations - Susanna Vale Letters: Letter to Toowoomba Chronicle - Zelda Richardson Letters: 'Temple Police' - Patricia Byrnes Letters: Conscience - John Mulholland Letters: 'Homophobia' - Arnold Jago Letters: St Peter's wife - Francis Vrijmoed Books: A TOUR OF THE CATECHISM - Volume One: The Creed, by John Flader - John Young (reviewer) Books: STORIES OF KAROL: the Unknown Life of John Paul II, by G.F. Svidercoschi - Br Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Books: A MEMORY FOR WONDERS: a true story, by Mother Veronica Namoyo Le Goulard PCC - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: Christ's priestly promise: 'I am with you always' - Fr John O'Neill

"When they had gathered, Pilate said to them, 'Whom do you want me to release to you, Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ?' And they said, 'Barabbas.' Pilate said to them, 'Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?' They all said, 'Let him be crucified'." (Matt. 27:15.22)

The predominance of the articles and letters to the press regarding the forced resignation of Bishop Morris from his Episcopal Office in the Toowoomba Diocese demonstrates that many writers strongly support Bishop Morris and his views as they vent their anger and disagreement with Pope Benedict and the Vatican.

Poignant amongst the many testimonials to the former Bishop was an effusive tribute penned by Fr Peter Dorfield on behalf of several fellow priests (and one Ray Crowley) which appeared in the Toowoomba Diocesan newsletter Horizons.

Among the many achievements of Bishop Morris listed by Fr Dorfield were "constant promotion of prayer, liturgy and faith education; vigorous encouragement of lay people to take a constructive part in the pastoral leadership of local communities, always in partnership with their priests; willing involvement with other Churches in ecumenical initiatives; ... development of an extensive network of personal relationships built on respect and great sense of warmth in humanity ...".

However, Fr Dorfield forgot to add that Bishop "Bill" was also untiring in his efforts to promote an inappropriately explicit sex education program in Catholic schools throughout the Toowoomba Diocese, with the possible risk of undermining the moral values and ultimately the eternal salvation of innocent young students. One might also add to this the Bishop's tireless efforts to effectively protestantise the Catholic Church in his diocese.

At the end of the day the Catholics of Toowoomba need to decide whether to give their tick of approval to the departed Bishop or to the Pope.

Jean Cocteau, famous French playwright and film director, predicted: "If it has to choose who is to be crucified, the crowd will always save Barabbas."

ERIC RICKARDS
Toowoomba, Qld

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 24 No 6 (July 2011), p. 15