Fr. Jonathan Morris asks to be laicized

[Tis_Bearself]

It could be that your priest is in rehab or a mental health treatment program. I’ve seen priests take a leave of absence, go away, and then come back when they’re doing better and only then do they make the public statement about where they were.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I explained why I posted the article. Because that is what the Church has to suffer when something like this happens. It’s not just about the priest’s personal suffering.

With that, I will take my leave of this conversation with you, as you persist in an accusatory tone towards anyone who doesn’t feel the exact way you do about this priest. Good day.

 

[7_Sorrows]

It could be that your priest is in rehab or a mental health treatment program. I’ve seen priests take a leave of absence, go away, and then come back when they’re doing better and only then do they make the public statement about where they were.

No, he is not. I know what he is doing and he is happy at his new job. Rumors say he has been spotted with a woman, but I don’t live in the same town anymore so I can’t be certain because small towns love gossip. I just knew he was not able to perform any priestly duties.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I do think these men need prayer. I still pray for the priest who left from my old church.

I completely agree. I will pray for both Fr. Morris and the priest from your old church.

I am quite happy that the priest who left one of my churches about a year ago with no explanation given other than it was not due to anything “legal” (which I took to mean, he wasn’t accused of any sexual abuse or other crimes) did return after several months and much prayer. He also was heavily involved with working with college students and it would have been a big loss and a blow to them if he had not come back.

 

[Maxirad]

Michael Voris has blasted Fr. Morris in the past. Click here to find out what Voris’s girl Friday Christine Niles has to say about Fr. Morris’s decision to leave priestly ministry. Keep in mind that Catholic apologist Dave Armstrong now considers Voris’s Church Militant organization to be “radical Catholic reactionary.”

Um, is it safe to compare Fr. Jonathan Morris to Fr. John Corapi?

 

[Feanor2]

Post deleted. Couldn’t figure out how to just remove it!

 

[gracepoole]

I have personally lived through this, having my confessor/spiritual director leave the priesthood.

At this point, who hasn’t? It’s incredibly commonplace now, which I think is why fellow Catholics aren’t just raising pom poms in response to this news.

I am a caregiver, and our first rule is “you can’t care for others if you don’t care for yourself”.

So am I. So are many here. Caring for oneself does not ipso facto mean rejecting one’s vows.

 

[F_Marturana]

Um, is it safe to compare Fr. Jonathan Morris to Fr. John Corapi?

No. There isn’t anything to indicate Father Morris has done anything wrong.

 

[7_Sorrows]

Michael Voris has blasted Fr. Morris in the past. Click here to find out what Voris’s girl Friday Christine Niles has to say about Fr. Morris’s decision to leave priestly ministry. Keep in mind that Catholic apologist Dave Armstrong now considers Voris’s Church Militant organization to be “radical Catholic reactionary.”

Um, is it safe to compare Fr. Jonathan Morris to Fr. John Corapi?

No, it is not safe to compare these 2 men.
Two different priests, two different scenarios.

 

[Feanor2]

I would agree.

Corapi when off the rails- crash and burn.

Morris seems to be doing it the right way- though still sad.

 

[Genesis315]

Yeah, this feels like something, that if done, should be done in a spirit of sorrow and penitence, acknowledging that one has failed.

 

[Irishmom2]

"Failed?" That sounds rather judgemental on your part. Is that really how you look at it?

 

[Feanor2]

No, I don’t really agree with this at all.

If a priest committed a crime or broke their vows and was laicized as a result I can see that but not in this case.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

If a priest … broke their vows and was laicized as a result

He’s already broken his vows in his mind at the very least. Thinking about it and making positive steps is kinda the same as doing it. However, if the Pope permits it then we must be obedient to the Pope’s decision as well as charitable.

 

[Victoria33]

I sure enjoyed his commentary, I thought he very much shed light on topics. I wish the good Father the best in his future pursuits. Not quite sure what to say.

 

[F_Marturana]

He’s asked to be relieved of his vows. He is waiting for an answer. The Pope can say no.

The request for laicization in order to marry (eventually in Father Morris’case) must go directly to the Pope. That’s the proper protocol.

 

[Donkey]

Fr. Corapi, Fr. Stone and now Fr. Morris…all higher profile priests. Probably not a good thing for a religious to enjoy ‘celebrity’ like status…an indicator?

 

[Victoria33]

Fr. Corapi, Fr. Stone and now Fr. Morris…all higher profile priests. Probably not a good thing for a religious to enjoy ‘celebrity’ like status…an indicator?

I thought of that too. He’s moving in a bit of a more glamorous circle of society.

 

[Donkey]

I thought of that too. He’s moving in a bit of a more glamorous circle of society.

I suspected that before each of these priests moved away from the priesthood. Digital media makes all this transparent for us to see.

 

[fin]

Prayers for him. That said, would the same thing be said of a married man or woman? Say a husband or wife after so many years feels tired of the spouse and family. Can he or she simply say, I want to be released from my marriage vows and get away from the family? I am sure most people wouls be blasting this person as selfish and not thinking about what the family would go through. It happens though, how many spouses have left their family because they are tired of it. I get the part of the difficulty of not having sex and children. The difference though wtih priests and defacto singles is that priests go into the peiesthood knowing of celibacy. Defacto singles have no choice because there is no spouse to be having sex or having children with.