Thomas Morris (bishop)

Thomas Morris, D.D. (born 16 Oct 1914), was the Catholic Archbishop of Cashel and Emly in Ireland from 1959 to 1988.

Morris was born in Kilkennybeg, in parish of Killenaule, County Tipperary, and was educated at Killenaule and Thurles. He entered St Patrick's College, Maynooth in September 1932 and was ordained to the priesthood on 18 June 1939. He received a doctorate in theology in June 1941. He taught at Glenstal Abbey for a few month, moving to St. Patrick's College, Thurles, in January 1942, where he taught theology until 1960 when he became archbishop. Apart from teaching in the seminary he was appointed secretary to Archbishop Kinane in 1947 and Vice-President of the seminary in 1957.

The Holy See chose him as Archbishop of Cashel and Emly on 21 December 1959 and he was consecrated on 28 February 1960. The Principal Consecrator was Archbishop Cardinal D'Alton; his Principal Co-Consecrators were Denis Moynahan the Bishop of Kerry.

Dr Morris attended the Second Vatican Council, where he became familiar with the Archbishop of Kracow, and future pope Karol Wojtyla. He was the only Irish member of the Pontifical Commission on Birth Control that preceded Humane Vitae where he voted against any change.

During his period as archbishop he was responsible for the restoration of Holy Cross Abbey where he continued to work as a priest after retirement.