Just thinking more about this announcement….
While they ostensibly give counsel against gossip in JW publications and talks, those at Bethel know how quick and pervasive it is. What’s the old joke - “what’s the progression of the quickest way to spread news? First the telegraph, then telephone, then television, then tell-a-Bethelite”.
They know - absolutely 100% without doubt know - that anyone older than 50 will remember the Ray Franz situation, and “everyone” knows Ray was a <gasp> apostate., and the identical thing has happened to Morris, and do you suppose he’s an apostate too?….will be the thought process.
They KNOW this will happen, they could have prevented it with even a slightly softer wording but they chose not to.
The more I think about it…he got caught doing something really bad and they can’t, or don’t want to, stop the gossip and assumptions that are sure to come.