On Saturday, November 11th, Pope Francis removed Bishop Joseph E. Strickland from his position in Tyler, Texas.
This is a rare instance of outright dismissal for a Catholic bishop. Typically, bishops facing issues with the Vatican are asked to resign, but Strickland, known for his criticism of Pope Francis, had previously stated he would refuse such a request. The dismissal, unusual in its directness, comes amidst tensions over Strickland’s rejection of the Pope’s initiatives, including efforts to embrace the LGBT community and “empower” lay members. Strickland, a staunch conservative with a strong social media presence, faced a Vatican investigation into the administration of the Tyler diocese earlier this year, which reportedly included a review of financial matters.
While the Vatican and the U.S. Bishops Conference announced the dismissal simultaneously, neither provided specific reasons. Strickland, aligned with the so-called “ultra-conservative” wing of the U.S. Church, has a national following, supported former President Donald Trump, and defended defrocked priest Frank Pavone against Vatican actions last year. The Pope has appointed Joe Vasquez, the bishop of Austin, Texas, as the interim administrator for the Tyler diocese.
