UPDATE: The interview described below took place Monday night. In it, Morris says he had a brief relationship when he was in the seminary, at the age of 28, and immediately told his superiors about it and said he didn’t want to be ordained. The superiors flew him to Mexico to meet personally with the founder of the Legionaries of Christ, Father Marcial Maciel, who told him to act as if the affair never happened. Following that, they moved up his ordination. You can watch the full video of the interview at the bottom of the post.
While I loved and thrived in so many aspects of my ministry, deep in my interior I struggled for years with my vocation and with the commitments the Catholic priesthood demands, especially not being able to marry and have a family.
Via Twitter
This week marks another step on this journey. I will be interviewed by Martha McCallum on Monday on “The Story” at 7 pm ET about my decision to leave the priesthood.
This comes after my former superior, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, graciously helped me through the first steps of the dispensation process. Upon my request, he has officially suspended my exercise of sacred ministry.
This is why I will do the interview in suit and tie rather than in clerical garb. Today I practiced tying a tie for the first time in twenty-five years. I found out that tying a tie is a lot like riding a bike…you never forget.
I am doing this interview because I want you to hear directly from me in the forum where some of you have seen me for the last fourteen years.
…The coming months will be full of change for me.
First, I will take some more time for rest and retreat as I finish my sabbatical. Then I will begin the task of discerning next steps in my professional life.
This will involve not only a decision of what industry to pursue, but also where to live.
My parents and siblings are advocating for the Midwest where most of them live. Being close to them would be a huge blessing!
As daunting as all of this change is, I am reminded often in prayer that the most important thing in my life has not changed. As a friend recently wrote to me, “You’re still working for the same boss!”
The same God who was by my side as a priest is by my side today and will be forever. This is my time to trust in Him like I have never had to do before.
The Deacon's Bench
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