Pope fires bishop who backed ordaining women

[RandySF]

SYDNEY — An Australian bishop who was fired by Pope Benedict XVI after suggesting the church consider ordaining women and married men defended his actions on Tuesday and accused the Vatican of becoming increasingly authoritarian.

Community members rallied around Bishop William Morris of the Toowoomba diocese, west of Brisbane, and eight priests signed a letter of support for the popular parish leader, calling his removal disrespectful.

The Vatican confirmed in a statement Monday that Morris had been "removed from pastoral care," an unusually strong move by Vatican standards. Generally, church leaders who are being ousted are asked to resign, with the Vatican later announcing the pope has accepted their resignations.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42878448/ns/world_news-asiapacific/?GT1=43001

[Drale]

1. God don't you love the open-mindedness of the Pope?

I will laugh as this Pope leads his religion into nothingness because of his and the churches unwillingness to adapt to the times.

[LiberalAndProud]

2. Well there's decisive leadership for you.

The message has been received. The Catholic Church will provide sanctuary and parish for perverts and pedofiles -- advocates for women and married men, not so much.

I really despise this man who was named pope. Really a lot.

[xchrom]

3. Recommend

[hlthe2b]

4. Every time I think I am ready to mellow on this particularr Pope

he gives me more reason to associate him with his Nazi Youth past. While I don't belive in the beatification of John Paul, by comparison to Ratzinger, I certainly will say JP looks exceedingly "saintly."

[WatsonT]

5. Well that is their rule

The pope isn't picked because he's going to ignore all the various edicts that define the Catholic faith.

/I don't agree with it, but that is their religion, shouldn't be shocked when this happens. And this sort of thing is why we have so many other branches of christianity.

edit: there => their.

[Drale]

6. When the world changes rules can be changed

and I still believe they only made this guy pope because they thought he'd be dead by now. They wanted some time to get their "houses" in order so they could pick the real successor to the Popeship.

[David__77]

7. I do wish the Spirit of Vatican II could be renewed.

Unfortunately, modernizing tendencies seem moribund. There has not been a full retrogression to pre-council practices, but the promotion of Opus Dei, toleration of reactionaries and removal of progressives, is very disheartening.

I have respect for much Catholic social teaching. At times and places, there has a been a really progressive thrust to it. That aspect of "traditionalism" is good from my perspective relative to the blatant pro-greed, pro-imperialism worldview of the leading authorities of some other religious entities. Criticism of liberal-capitalism should be strengthened, not discarded. But traditions that hinder broad social development and acculturation should be discarded. The church has done so in the past, and should be prepared to do it again.

Here is a Catholic news agency article on this bishop:

http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/World.php?id=3110

[nichomachus]

8. If they had dealt that swiftly with the child rapists

The church might still have a shred of moral authority, instead of being a joke.

[Welibs]

9. THIS they fire one of their clansman over, NOT PEDOPHILIA!

Yeah, they've got their priorities straight! They should shut that cesspool of a church down. They're the biggest multinational corporation engaging in international sex trade with children!