Pope Francis has removed Bishop Joseph Strickland from his position in the Diocese of Tyler, Texas.
Strickland had previously been warned about his Twitter account, where he had criticized Pope Francis.
Strickland's removal comes after he declined a Vatican request for his resignation.
Pope Francis has removed Bishop Joseph Strickland from his position in the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. The Vatican announced the decision without providing specific reasons for the dismissal. Strickland, a prominent figure among traditionalist American Catholics, has been a vocal critic of Pope Francis, particularly regarding the Pope's stance on social issues and theological matters.
Strickland's removal comes after he declined a Vatican request for his resignation. The Vatican Dicastery for Bishops had conducted a formal investigation into Strickland's social media use and diocesan management. Strickland had previously been warned about his Twitter account, where he had criticized Pope Francis and expressed views contrary to the Pope's stance on various issues.
Strickland, who served as bishop since 2012, had faced criticism for his social media posts, including one that suggested Pope Francis was undermining the Deposit of Faith. He was also a vocal critic of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and of the vaccine. His removal has sparked outcry among some conservatives and traditionalists.
The bishop of Austin has been appointed as the temporary administrator of the Diocese of Tyler. The dismissal of a bishop is rare but not unprecedented. The move is likely to fuel debate within the American church, where right-wing Catholic media outlets and activist groups regularly criticize Pope Francis' leadership.
Strickland had previously been warned about his Twitter account, where he had criticized Pope Francis.
Strickland was also a vocal critic of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and of the vaccine.
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The bishop had already received a warning about his Twitter account from the pope’s ambassador to the United States in 2021, according to Religion News Service. One podcaster who is close to Bishop Strickland said the East Texas bishop had been warned explicitly to “stop talking about the deposit of faith.”
Strickland, 65, has been particularly critical of Francis' recent meeting on the future of the Catholic Church, which discussed ways to better welcome LGBTQ+ Catholics.
Strickland's removal has sparked outcry among some conservatives and traditionalists.
Strickland's removal comes after he refused a Vatican request for his resignation.
Strickland, who served as bishop since 2012, had faced criticism for his social media posts, including one that suggested Pope Francis was undermining the Deposit of Faith.
Bishop Strickland was a prominent figure among traditionalist American Catholics who view Pope Francis as too liberal on social issues and theological matters.
The dismissal of a bishop is rare but not unprecedented. The move is likely to fuel debate within the American church, where right-wing Catholic media outlets and activist groups regularly criticize Pope Francis' leadership.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(80%)
Bishop Strickland was a highly prominent figure among traditionalist American Catholics who see the pope as too liberal.
Ultraconservatives in the United States have emerged as the financial center and media megaphone of the resistance to Francis’ papacy.
Strickland had refused to voluntarily resign, stating that he was given a mandate to serve as bishop in 2012 by the late Pope Benedict XVI.
His removal has sparked outcry among some conservatives and traditionalists.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
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Deception
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None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
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None Found At Time Of
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Bias
(80%)
The conservative website LifeSiteNews, which said it interviewed Strickland on Saturday, quoted him as saying one of the reasons given for his ouster was his refusal to implement Francis’ 2021 restrictions on celebrating the old Latin Mass.