Fox News Celebrity Priest Leaves Priesthood

Edit: just received this letter from a reader. Father Jonathan Morris was a member of the Legionares of Christ which he left in 2009. He is Director of Catholic Cable Sirius Radio and was a commentator on Fox News giving an “ethical” take on the news.

 There’s something corrosive about the mass media that leads to corruption. Or is it a certain group controlling the media? All of that attention and adulation must have taken its toll, not to mention close association with people of the ilk of Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity. Is anyone allowed a voice on the media who can’t be compromised? Will we ever see the likes of Father Charles Coughlin or Father Leonard Feeney on the radio again?

Truly, becoming attached to these kinds of fake people in the media is a recipee for  spiritual bereavement, confusion and despair, and it’s hard to not see a certain intentionality behind it. Naturally, this will put Morris in the ideation of vir probatus and it wouldn’t be challenging to see this man jumping on the bandwagon to end clerical celibacy. Here is Father Morris’ letter:

After taking some months of sabbatical to be with family and to dedicate more time to prayer and retreat, I have decided to ask the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to release me from the duties and responsibilities of the clerical state (priestly vows).
Taking this step is something I have considered often and at length in years past and discussed with my spiritual guides. While I have loved and thrived in so many aspects of my ministry, deep in my interior I have struggled for years with my vocation and with the commitments that the Catholic priesthood demands, especially not being able to marry and have a family.
My fear of disappointing people’s expectations of me has always held me back from taking this step. Only now, because of this sabbatical, have I had the clarity of mind and peace of soul to move in this direction.
My decision is not about an existing relationship, but rather about the peace and spiritual freedom I trust will come in the future by following God’s will for my life now.
My own experience should not take away anything from the many heroic men and women who are living out their religious vocations with admirable fidelity and fulfillment. I will be in the pews ready to support you, because my faith in God and love for my Church is stronger than ever. I look forward to serving in new ways alongside of you.
I hope you are able to hear in my written word the newfound joy I have in my heart as I begin this new chapter, despite my fear of stepping into the unknown.
I am grateful to God, my family, and to all of you for so much love, support, and understanding. Some will not understand; I’m okay with that too.
Please pray for me.
Jonathan Morris
PS. The best way to reach me is by email: fjdm1972@gmail.com In a few days, I will temporarily suspend my social media accounts to help me live out more peacefully the remainder of my sabbatical, but I wanted you to hear this news from me first. Only after my sabbatical will I respond to media inquiries and re- engage in the media.
05/17/2019

AMDG