Father Jonathan Morris

"God must have a plan -- and a few back up plans too, for when we mess up..."

Fr. Jonathan Morris was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 22, 1972.  He is a Roman Catholic priest with the Archdiocese of New York as a vicar for the Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, a writer, and has been a news contributor and analyst for CNN, BBC, FOX and SKY news. He was ordained in 2002 as a priest through the Legion of Christ and spent years living and working in Rome, including both Pope John Paul II and, interestingly, Mel Gibson, as a theological advisor for the movie, The Passion of the Christ.

Fr.Jonathan is a fascinating character who does not hold back how he feels personally, or on behalf of the faithful.  He was much sought after by the networks after working with them following the death of Pope John Paul, and in accepting the offer to work with FOX, it was under the proposal that he cover not just Vatican news, but analyze bigger news stories from an ethical dimension.  As such, he has a recurring segment on Red Eye, called "Father Knows Best."

But don't think Fr. Jonathan is simply a FOX contributor now.  In addition to his duties with St. Patrick's, he contributes to the Wall Street Journal and was a theological advisor for the History Channel's special, The Real Face of Jesus? -- a documentary with 3D specialists investigating the Shroud of Turin.

Fr. Jonathan travels the world, covering news events and issues from human trafficking, to the Muslim youth riots in Paris, to the murder of a Christian publisher in Turkey.  He has reported on the state of Christian churches in Venezuela and Syria, and interviewed a wide-range of individuals, from First Lady Laura Bush, to the Grand Imam of Paris.  He even debated the atheist biologist, Richard Dawkins, on BBC.  He never shrinks from controversy in defending his faith.

We at J and L find him a fascinating, inspirational and sincere man -- and hope you have the opportunity to hear him or read some his works soon.

Father Jonathan's Prayer for Friday, January 13, 2012

Lord Jesus,

I give you my hands to do your work,

I give you my feet to go your way.

I give you my eyes to see as you do.

I give you my tongue to speak your words.

I give you my spirit that you may pray in me.

Above all,

I give you my heart that you may love me

your Father and all mankind.

I give you my whole self that you may grow in me,

so that it is you, Lord Jesus,

who live and work and pray in me.

Amen.