Read the story on Fr Z’s blog here (the best way to read any story is w/ Fr Z’s commentary mixed in):
THE Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba, William Morris, has been effectively sacked by Pope Benedict XVI over doctrinal disobedience for his support for ordaining women priests and other liberal reform.
I believe this shatters the mindset that Rome doesn’t much care about these issues. One also wonders if dioceses like Rochester were taken into account in regards to what might happen if Rome simply decided to let nature run its course (this bishop was only 67). It also shows that bishops who support such agendas have been wise to disguise their agendas and push them in subtler ways.
Yep. The ol’ “The Vatican must tactily approve if they don’t do something” ploy. Of course when they DO do something, the tune changes to “Why are they going after this instead of dealing with [insert hobbyhorse] which is more important?”
I’d say that Bishop Clark believes much the same things as this former Australian shepherd, except that our bishop has been far more clever in protecting himself. Instead of coming right out and saying “We should ordain women,” Bishop Clark advances his ideas by saying things such as “Women have told me…” and “Were it possible, I’d be pleased to ordain women” (source). In neither case does Clark come right out and demand women priests. This same tip-toeing is present throughout his book, Forward in Hope. Also, the bishop has done a fine job letting his priests do all the heavy lifting. Jim Callan, Frs. Palumbos, Holland, Bausch and a host of other area priests have banged the drum for women’s ordination. Does the bishop ever put a stop to this? Never. The bishop gets to sit back at a distance and enjoy the indoctrination of his flock by priests under the “protective umbrella” while keeping his hands clean.
Our bishop also formally installs women’s ordination supporters as pastoral administrators and permits them to preach the homily.
Bishop Clark is not going to be removed at almost 74 years of age, but his retirement could certainly be accelerated after meeting with Pope Benedict during the upcoming ad limina visits required of U.S. bishops. We can only hope that the Holy Father will pressure him into early resignation, or will at least be prepared to name his replacement as soon as possible after July 15th, 2012.
I note that a commenter at the Notionally “Catholic” Reporter,claiming to be from the Diocese of Rochester,has proposed that Morris be named to replace the “wonderful and much loved” Bishop Clark.