In a very rare move, Pope Benedict XVI has removed Bishop William Morris of Toowoomba, Australia. It appears that in a 2006 pastoral letter, the bishop talked about ordaining women priests and allowing Protestant clergy to celebrate Mass in Catholic churches, because there aren’t enough priests in his diocese to serve the people. An Apostolic Visitation ensued, with Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, Colorado, appointed by the pope as the visitor. Bishop Morris, in a letter to the people of his diocese, said he was being forced out. He added that he refused to resign because he felt he had done nothing wrong. Apparently the Holy Father thought differently, and after asking for a resignation which was refused, removed the bishop from the pastoral governance of the diocese. The pope has absolute authority of the appointment and removal bishops, and there is no recourse in Canon Law.
The Concho Padre
THE CONCHO PADRE POST 