Most Reverend William M. Morris DD
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Biography |
When Bishop William Morris was appointed the fifth bishop to the vast Diocese of Toowoomba in 1993, he brought with him nearly twenty-five years pastoral, administrative and leadership experience to his new See.
Born in Brisbane, the only son of the late William Alexander and Sylvia Morris. Bishop Morris was educated at St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace, before beginning his studies for the priesthood at Pius XII Provincial Seminary, Banyo.
He was ordained priest of the Archdiocese of Brisbane on 28 June, 1969 in St Stephen's Cathedral, Brisbane.
His appointments, prior to Toowoomba, have included Sunnybank, Nambour, Mt Gravatt, Goodna and Surfers Paradise. During the years 1979 to 1984 he served as Secretary to Archbishop Rush, in Brisbane, and also as Diocesan Director of Vocations. Bishop Morris' Episcopal Ordination took place in St Patrick's Cathedral, Toowoomba, on 10th February, 1993.
Bishop Morris has completed an Ad Limina Visit with Pope John Paul II and a Synod of Bishops Conference for Oceania, held in Rome. He is currently on several Committees including the Australian Catholic Social Justice Committee.
On 1/5/2011 Bishop Morris announced his early retirement as Bishop of Toowoomba. Read about the events here.
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Coat of Arms |
The coat-of-arms combines the arms of the Diocese of Toowoomba with the arms assumed by Bishop Morris. These are displayed side by side in the procedure known as impalement with the diocesan arms on the dexter side of the shield.
The diocesan arms are green with a gold sheaf of wheat enscribed with a white disc on which the Greek letters Alpha and Omega are written. This is in allusion to the fertile Darling Downs where wheat is a major crop. The letters Alpha and Omega refer to the fullness of God in Jesus Christ, and are from the Book of Revelation: "I am the Alpha and the Omega" says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Rev. 1:8)
The disc with the letters Alpha and Omega indicates the relationship between the wheat and the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
The serrated division between the upper and lower parts of the shield alludes to the Dividing Range which is a feature of the Cathedral city:
The upper section is white with a red diagonal cross, being the cross of St. Patrick, the patron of the Cathedral.
Bishop Morris' arms are blue with an anchor flanked by the letters Alpha and Omega in gold. This is in allusion to the motto, "Christ is my Hope", the anchor being a symbol of hope and the letters Alpha and Omega representing Christ.
The line dividing the upper and lower sections of the shield is also serrated but in this case there are fewer serrations as it alludes to Lamington National Park, one of the Bishop's favourite holiday places.
The upper part of the shield is white with an open book having a red cover. The book represents the Scriptures and emphasises the Bishop's role of spreading the Good News to his people.
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Bishop's Advent Letters |