Pope Francis Dismisses Texas Bishop Joseph Strickland for Criticizing Church Reforms
In a surprising move, Pope Francis has dismissed Bishop Joseph Strickland of Texas for his outspoken criticism of the Church’s reforms, according to a report by The Guardian. This decision is unusual because bishops are typically asked to resign before their resignation is accepted by the pope. Dismissal is only carried out when a bishop refuses to resign, making it a drastic measure.
Bishop Strickland, who was appointed to the diocese by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012, had made it clear earlier this year that he would refuse to resign if asked. He has been known as one of the fiercest critics of Pope Francis among conservative Roman Catholics in the United States.
One of the main points of contention between the bishop and the pope is Francis’ attempt to make the Catholic Church more inclusive and accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. Strickland has also opposed Francis’ efforts to provide more responsibility to lay people within the Church and has voiced his disapproval of a recent synod.
The Vatican conducted an investigation into the administration of the Tyler diocese, where Bishop Strickland served, earlier this year. The investigation reportedly included a review of his handling of financial affairs. Neither the Vatican nor the US Bishops Conference provided a specific reason for Strickland’s dismissal.
It is worth noting that Bishop Strickland is known to be a strong supporter of former US President Donald Trump. He is regarded as a hero by conservative US Catholic media outlets associated with Trump. Strickland stood with ultra-conservative US anti-abortion priest Frank Pavone, who was defrocked by the Vatican last year for his blasphemous social media posts and disobedience to bishops.
Following Strickland’s dismissal, Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin, Texas, was appointed as the interim administrator of the Tyler diocese by Pope Francis.
The dismissal of Bishop Joseph Strickland highlights the ongoing tensions within the Catholic Church between different factions and their respective views on important social and doctrinal issues. While Pope Francis advocates for a more inclusive and open Church, there are those who resist these changes and insist on a more conservative approach. The decision to dismiss a bishop is a rare occurrence, underscoring the seriousness of the disagreement. The consequences of this move are yet to be fully seen, but it undoubtedly adds to the existing divisions within the Church.
