Thomas Morris

Thomas Morris, D.D. KC*HS (16 October 1914 – 16 January 1997), was the Catholic Archbishop of Cashel and Emly in Ireland from 1959 to 1988.

Biography Morris was born in Kilkennybeg, in the parish of Killenaule, County Tipperary, and was educated first at Killenaule, and then by the Christian Brothers in Thurles.

He entered St Patrick's College, Maynooth in September 1932 where he took a first class Honours degree in English in 1935 before embarking on theological studies.

He was one of six Cashel and Emly students ordained to the priesthood on 18 June 1939 and proceeded to the Dunboyne Institute for postgraduate studies which culminated in a doctorate in theology in June 1941. He taught at Glenstal Abbey for a few months, moving to St. Patrick's College, Thurles, in January 1942, where he taught theology until 1960 when he became archbishop.

Aside from his seminary teaching he was appointed part-time secretary to Archbishop Kinane in 1947 and vice-president of the seminary in 1957.

It is reported he often spent his holidays in the Gaeltacht in Ballyferriter where he became deeply steeped in Irish literature and culture.

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. He served as the first Grand Prior of the newly established Lieutenancy of Ireland of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, a centuries-old Order of Chivalry dedicated to supporting the Christians of the Holy Land.