Jonathan Morris (priest)
Encyclopedia
Fr. Jonathan Morris is a Roman Catholic priest
in the Archdiocese of New York and a news contributor and analyst for the Fox News Channel
. He currently serves as one of several parochial vicars at the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral
in New York City
(not the same as St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Ave). Before joining the archdiocese, Fr. Morris served as vice rector at the Legionaries of Christ Seminary in Rome. He was a member of the Legion of Christ
but rarely identified with them on camera. He is author of the book The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts
. His newest book is God Wants You Happy: From Self-Help to God's Help.
at the University of San José in Costa Rica
and then business administration at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio
. In 2002, he was ordained a priest through the Legion of Christ and spent many years living and working in Rome
.
's motion picture The Passion of the Christ
.
With the physical decline of Pope John Paul II
in late March 2005, and his death in April 2005, Morris provided reports and analysis for CNN
, Fox News Channel, the BBC
, and Sky News
, and he was interviewed by Bill Hemmer
, Larry King
, Shepard Smith
, Anderson Cooper
, and Christiane Amanpour
, among others. Shortly thereafter, Morris received offers from several networks to contribute follow-up reports, and he began working for the Fox News Channel. In accepting the offer to work with the network, he proposed to not just cover Vatican news events only, but to also analyze bigger news stories from an ethical dimension.
Since April 2005, Morris' work has expanded to include reports beyond the scope of the Vatican. He has been interviewed on several Fox News Channel programs, including Fox & Friends
, Dayside
, Hannity and Colmes, The Live Desk
with Martha MacCallum
, and The O'Reilly Factor
. He has also contributed to the Fox Business Network
and Fox News.com's on-line news roundtable, "The Strategy Room."
Morris began a recurring segment for Fox News Channel's late night news/comedy show Red Eye
in May 2009. For this segment, called Father Knows Best, Morris answers questions from viewers on religious and faith-related issues. He is also a regular news contributor for the show. That same year, he also became a contributor to the Wall Street Journal.
In March 2010, Morris was interviewed as a theological advisor for the History Channel special The Real Face of Jesus?, a documentary that followed a team of computer and 3D
specialists as they uncovered forensic data from the Shroud of Turin
, extrapolating a new picture of the face of the man from the shroud.
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
in the Archdiocese of New York and a news contributor and analyst for the Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
. He currently serves as one of several parochial vicars at the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral
St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York
The Basilica of Saint Patrick's Old Cathedral, or Old St. Patrick's, is located at 260-264 Mulberry Street between Prince and Houston Streets in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, with the primary entrance currently located on Mott Street...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(not the same as St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Ave). Before joining the archdiocese, Fr. Morris served as vice rector at the Legionaries of Christ Seminary in Rome. He was a member of the Legion of Christ
Legion of Christ
The Legion of Christ is a Roman Catholic congregation of pontifical right, made up of priests and seminarians studying for the priesthood. It was founded in Mexico in 1941, by Fr. Marcial Maciel, who directed the congregation as its General Superior until January 2005...
but rarely identified with them on camera. He is author of the book The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts
The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts
The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts is a non-fiction self-help book written by Fr. Jonathan Morris, a Catholic priest, professor and news contributor and analyst for the Fox News Channel. The book is published by HarperOne...
. His newest book is God Wants You Happy: From Self-Help to God's Help.
Background and early career
The third child of a family of seven children, Morris studied political sciencePolitical science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at the University of San José in Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
and then business administration at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio
Steubenville, Ohio
Steubenville is a city located along the Ohio River in Jefferson County, Ohio on the Ohio-West Virginia border in the United States. It is the political county seat of Jefferson County. It is also a principal city of the Weirton–Steubenville, WV-OH Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. In 2002, he was ordained a priest through the Legion of Christ and spent many years living and working in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
.
Work in the media
From 2002 to 2004, Morris worked as a theological adviser in the making of Mel GibsonMel Gibson
Mel Colm-Cille Gerard Gibson, AO is an American actor, film director, producer and screenwriter. Born in Peekskill, New York, Gibson moved with his parents to Sydney, Australia when he was 12 years old and later studied acting at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Art.After appearing in...
's motion picture The Passion of the Christ
The Passion of the Christ
The Passion of the Christ is a 2004 American drama film directed by Mel Gibson and starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus. It depicts the Passion of Jesus largely according to the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John...
.
With the physical decline of Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
in late March 2005, and his death in April 2005, Morris provided reports and analysis for CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
, Fox News Channel, the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, and Sky News
Sky News
Sky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
, and he was interviewed by Bill Hemmer
Bill Hemmer
Bill Hemmer is an American television-news anchor. He is a co-host of America's Newsroom on the Fox News Channel.-Early life and education:...
, Larry King
Larry King
Lawrence Harvey "Larry" King is an American television and radio host whose work has been recognized with awards including two Peabodys and ten Cable ACE Awards....
, Shepard Smith
Shepard Smith
David Shepard Smith, Jr. , known better as Shepard Smith, is an American television news anchor. He is host of Fox Report with Shepard Smith and Studio B weekdays on Fox News Channel. In addition, he anchors the 5:00 p.m...
, Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper
Anderson Hays Cooper is an American journalist, author, and television personality. He is the primary anchor of the CNN news show Anderson Cooper 360°. The program is normally broadcast live from a New York City studio; however, Cooper often broadcasts live on location for breaking news stories...
, and Christiane Amanpour
Christiane Amanpour
Christiane Amanpour, CBE is anchor of ABC News's This Week and formerly chief international correspondent at CNN, where she worked for 27 years. She is a Board Member at the IWMF .-Early years:...
, among others. Shortly thereafter, Morris received offers from several networks to contribute follow-up reports, and he began working for the Fox News Channel. In accepting the offer to work with the network, he proposed to not just cover Vatican news events only, but to also analyze bigger news stories from an ethical dimension.
Since April 2005, Morris' work has expanded to include reports beyond the scope of the Vatican. He has been interviewed on several Fox News Channel programs, including Fox & Friends
Fox & Friends
Fox & Friends is an American morning television show on the Fox News Channel.-History:The show begins at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time with the latest Fox News Live headlines and analyzes the news of the morning...
, Dayside
DaySide
DaySide was an American news/talk show on the Fox News Channel, which aired weekdays at 1:00 p.m. ET. Unlike most news channel programs, it had an live audience giving reaction throughout the program, similar to the CNN show TalkBack Live....
, Hannity and Colmes, The Live Desk
The Live Desk
The Live Desk was an American news/talk program on the Fox News Channel. It was cancelled and replaced with America Live with Megyn Kelly-About the show:...
with Martha MacCallum
Martha MacCallum
Martha MacCallum is an American news anchor on the Fox News Channel. She joined the network in 2004, and is based in the New York City bureau. She previously hosted The Live Desk with Trace Gallagher at 1:00 p.m. ET. Currently, she co-hosts with Bill Hemmer America's Newsroom at 9:00 a.m...
, and The O'Reilly Factor
The O'Reilly Factor
The O'Reilly Factor, originally titled The O'Reilly Report from 1996 to 1998 and often called The Factor, is an American talk show on the Fox News Channel hosted by commentator Bill O'Reilly, who often discusses current controversial political issues with guests.The program was the most watched...
. He has also contributed to the Fox Business Network
Fox Business Network
Fox Business Network is an American cable news and satellite news television channel that began broadcasting on October 15, 2007. It is owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation...
and Fox News.com's on-line news roundtable, "The Strategy Room."
Morris began a recurring segment for Fox News Channel's late night news/comedy show Red Eye
Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld
Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld is a late-night/early-morning satirical talk show on the Fox News Channel, airing at 3:00 am ET Tuesday through Saturday. The show features panelists and guests discussing the latest news in politics, pop culture, entertainment, business, sports, and religion...
in May 2009. For this segment, called Father Knows Best, Morris answers questions from viewers on religious and faith-related issues. He is also a regular news contributor for the show. That same year, he also became a contributor to the Wall Street Journal.
In March 2010, Morris was interviewed as a theological advisor for the History Channel special The Real Face of Jesus?, a documentary that followed a team of computer and 3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
specialists as they uncovered forensic data from the Shroud of Turin
Shroud of Turin
The Shroud of Turin or Turin Shroud is a linen cloth bearing the image of a man who appears to have suffered physical trauma in a manner consistent with crucifixion. It is kept in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Turin, northern Italy. The image on the shroud is...
, extrapolating a new picture of the face of the man from the shroud.