Pope Francis on Saturday fired prominent conservative critic Bishop John Strickland of Tyler, Texas, following an investigation earlier this year into the firebrand’s diocese.
The Vatican did not explain the reason for Strickland’s dismissal.
The move was seen as an extraordinary measure, since problematic bishops in the Catholic Church are usually asked or pressured to resign rather than outright removal.
“The Holy Father has relieved Joseph E. Strickland of the pastoral governance of the diocese of Tyler (USA),” the Vatican said in a brief statement, adding that Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin had been named apostolic administrator of the diocese. diocese.
Strickland’s firing came months after the Vatican launched an investigation, called the church’s “apostolic visitation,” into the Tyler diocese in June.
An American cardinal said the investigation covered “all aspects of governance and leadership” in the diocese.
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in Texas said that after the investigation, it was “not feasible” for Strickland to remain in his position.
The Vatican announced that Pope Francis has fired his prominent conservative critic, Bishop John Strickland of Tyler, Texas.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters With Pope Francis’ intervention has been a drastic measure, as top clerics are usually pressured to resign instead of a full decision. full-fledged looting. MAURIZIO BRAMBATTI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Strickland, who has aligned himself with the ultraconservative wing of the American Catholic Church, refused to resign when asked Thursday, prompting Pope Francis to intervene, DiNardo said.
Earlier this year, Strickland said he would refuse to resign if asked.
Appointed to the diocese in 2012 by the late Pope Benedict, Strickland emerged as one of Pope Francis’ harshest critics, stating in X earlier this year that he rejected the Church leader’s “program that undermines the Deposit of Faith.” ”.
Strickland wrote earlier this year that he rejected Pope Francis’ “program that undermines the Deposit of Faith.” USA TODAY Sports via Reuters With
Strickland openly opposes Pope Francis’ efforts to help the LGBTQ community feel more welcome in the Catholic Church, as well as efforts to give more responsibility to ordinary people.
Before the October synod, he wrote in an August letter that an “evil and false message” had “invaded” the church.
Last year, Strickland was one of the few American bishops to publicly defend anti-abortion priest Frank Pavone when the Vatican defrocked him from the priesthood over the cleric’s “blasphemous” posts on social media.
“Blasphemy is for this holy priest to be canceled while an evil president promotes the denial of the truth and the murder of the unborn at every turn, Vatican officials promote immorality and the denial of the deposit of faith, and priests promote “gender confusion devastating lives… evil,” Strickland wrote at X at that time.
With mail cables.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn