The Vatican announced that Pope Francis removed Joseph E. Strickland, bishop of the Texas diocese of Tyler in the US. The reasons for this decision were not given in the Vatican bulletin, but Vaticanists note that the dismissed bishop is a declared traditionalist and criticizes Francis’ pontificate.
The Pope has appointed an apostolic administrator for the diocese of Tyler, Texas.
The Vatican news agency Ansa noted that Bishop Strickland is a staunch defender of the Catholic Church’s doctrinal and dogmatic position on marriage, human life and religious freedom.
In June this year, his diocese was visited due to – as explained – a traditionalist position that is incompatible with the new course undertaken by Francis, who advocates greater openness and repeats that there is a place for everyone in the Church.
The American bishop also criticized the recent session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops Vatican on synodality in the Church and expressed concerns that it might bring changes in the issues of marriage, the Eucharist and sexuality.
Bishop Joseph E. Strickland. Photo from 2015Andrew D. Brosig/Associated Press/East News
Main photo source: Andrew D. Brosig/Associated Press/East News