Former Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, was one of the more conservative bishops in the United States, a man not afraid to stand up for what he thought was biblically correct despite disapproval from the far-left pope and leftists in the United States. Now, however, he’s out of his position because the woke pope, Francis, removed him.
While the Vatican did not highlight the specific reasons for former Bishop Strickland’s removal in its announcement on his removal, the removal comes as the culmination of a long series of battles and investigations between Stickland and the more left-leaning Catholic Church.
Instead of providing important details, the Vatican announced Bishop Strickland’s removal in a very vague circular, announcing, “The Holy Father has removed Bishop Joseph E. Strickland from the pastoral care of the diocese of Tyler, United States of America, and has appointed Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin as apostolic administrator of the same diocese, rendering it sede vacante.”
Similarly, the Diocese of Tyler gave a few details on what would happen next, but did not describe the reasons for Bishop Tyler’s removal other than a vague paragraph on how it hopes to build a “welcoming environment” and show “compassion and love.”
That announcement began, “It was announced today in Rome that Bishop Joseph Strickland has been relieved of pastoral governance of the Diocese of Tyler and that Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin has been appointed Apostolic Administrator of the diocese.”
It continued, “Our work as the Catholic Church in northeast Texas continues. Our mission is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to foster an authentic Christian community, and to serve the needs of all people with compassion and love. We strive to deepen our faith, promote the common good, and create a welcoming environment for all to encounter the loving God – Father, Son, and Spirit. During this time of transition, we pray that God may continue to abundantly bless and strengthen the Church and God’s holy, faithful people here and around the world.“
Based on the announcement, it would appear that Bishop Strickland’s deeply held, conservative views were not in line with the “compassionate” and “welcoming” image the modern, leftist Catholic Church wants to put forward.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston gave a few more details on Bishop Strickland’s removal in an announcement on Saturday, saying that the decision to remove him followed an investigation into his “governance and leadership” of the diocese.
“The Prelates conducted an exhaustive inquiry into all aspects of the governance and leadership of the Diocese of Tyler by its Ordinary, Bishop Joseph Strickland,” DiNardo declared. He continued, “As a result of the Visitation, the recommendation was made to the Holy Father that the continuation in office of Bishop Strickland was not feasible. After months of careful consideration by the Dicastery for Bishops and the Holy Father, the decision was reached that the resignation of Bishop Strickland should be requested.”
Bishop Tyler, for his part, argued that he was removed because he stands for the traditional interpretation of the Bible and what is in it rather than the interpretations that modern, left-leaning Catholics would like to promulgate.
“They want to be rid of the truth that is gloriously not going to go away. It is a sad day for me, but I’m strong in the Lord,” Strickland argued in a recent interview. He continued, “I encourage myself and others to go more deeply than ever into prayer. To pray for Pope Francis, to pray for the Church, to pray for our world.” He then added, “I know that the Lord is with me. I know the power of His love.”
Watch him here:
WATCH: My exclusive interview with Bishop Strickland, where I ask him all the questions on everyone's heart in the midst of his unjust cancellation.
Pray for this good Bishop. #IstandwithBishopStrickland pic.twitter.com/G1TaPO0c4P
— John-Henry Westen (@JhWesten) November 12, 2023
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video
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