EMERITUS Bishop Bill Morris of Toowoomba has said he is “at peace” after a decision by Pope Benedict to accept his retirement.
The former Bishop of Toowoomba said he would be settling “into the old family home in Brisbane” for the foreseeable future.
“I plan to continue celebrating the journey of life, love and pastoral care not only for the community but for myself,” he said.
“My love for and commitment to the Church continues undiminished.”
Bishop Morris said he would “especially miss the people of Toowoomba diocese”.
“In my 18 years of ministry (as Bishop of Toowoomba) I have become part of their lives and part of the community,” he said.
“This time has been an ongoing discovery of the role of the laity in the Church’s life.
“It’s been a time of opening out the Vatican II documents so people realise they have a voice … they are the Church.”
Bishop Morris’ retirement followed an announcement by the Holy See on May 2 that Auxiliary Bishop Brian Finnigan of Brisbane would become the apostolic administrator of Toowoomba diocese.
Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane on receiving news of Bishop Morris’ retirement paid tribute to his pastoral care of Toowoomba diocese.
“I am aware there had been matters of concern between Bishop Morris and the Holy See in recent years which have culminated in (the) announcement,” he said in a statement.
Archbishop Bathersby, in a media report following the event, expressed deep concern at some of the “vitriolic” correspondence he had received since news of Bishop Morris’ retirement.
“I have received some awful letters from people who regard themselves as Christians,” the archbishop was reported to have said.
“What I feel sad about is there will be divisions and it will last for some time.”
In a letter to Toowoomba diocese prior to the official announcement, Bishop Morris said it was with “true sadness” he wrote his final letter to the diocese, having come to Toowoomba from the Gold Coast with little knowledge of this wonderful local church, yet found “a real sense of belonging”.
Bishop Morris said he felt “particularly concerned for people who may be hurting because of events in the past weeks”.
However, he felt very positive about Bishop Finnigan’s appointment until a new bishop was appointed to the Toowoomba diocese.
“I believe it’s a very good decision to appoint him as administrator,” he said.
“Brian’s sensitivity, dedication to his ministry, kindness and wisdom will be valuable in this time of change.
“I am certain people will accept him and invite them to be part of their lives as they did with me … They will understand he had nothing to do with the process that led to this outcome.”
Bishop Finnigan said the people of Toowoomba would need a time for healing, understanding, quiet reflection and engagement in “hopeful prayer” in the coming months.
He was planning to visit Toowoomba over this weekend during which time he would celebrate Mass and conduct “many interviews with key personnel”.
Bishop Finnigan said Australia’s apostolic nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Lazzarotto would be managing the process of selecting a new bishop for Toowoomba.
“This process will not be completed quickly,” he said.
“He (the nuncio) has much work in this field since there are a number of impending episcopal vacancies.”
