I was distressed to read that The Record has associated Bishop Bill Morris with the ugly word “heresy”, especially coming from a publication which I have known and respected for many years. In what sense could he be demoted to such a level?

His thoughts on women as priests, (shared with half the Bishops of the world) were always expressed in humble submission to the Church’s authority. At no stage did he ever nominate or encourage any woman towards priesthood. Surely no heresy there.

Regarding Bishop Bill’s attitude to Non-Catholic clergy, we must not find ourselves transported back to the bitterness and name-calling of past centuries. Our Catholic attitude to other church communities has developed in many positive ways. Our Popes and senior Prelates have, for years now, been regularly visiting and sharing with their non-Catholic counterparts, in prayer, preaching and seeking the truth together. Why is Pope Benedict insisting on attending the upcoming Assisi Inter-Faith Conference, against the wishes of his “safe” advisers?

We have a whole Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, with a Cardinal at its head, urging all Catholics everywhere into ecumenical endeavours.

Students for our Catholic Priesthood are studying Scripture at the feet of Protestant scholars. With the so-called “mainstream” Churches we willingly share one-another’s Baptisms and Marriages as sacred, binding, and life giving.

In sixty-two years as a Catholic Priest and Bishop, after some early years of self-righteous superiority (of which I am now a bit ashamed), I have come to accept that the vast majority of non-catholic pastors I meet are truly men of God, committed to a lifetime of humble service, responding not only to the “vocation” of their communities, but equally responding to the urging of God’s Holy Spirit. Who else will care for those waiting Christian communities?

In our many ecumenical endeavours, for any Catholic to smile and offer the right hand of welcome and friendship to such good people, while keeping the left hand tightly behind our back, reminding us that they are, after all well-meaning heretics, would, I feel, be more heretical than anything Bishop Morris ever said or even imagined.

Peace be with you.

Ray Benjamin
Bishop Emeritus of Townsville