Pope Francis dismisses conservative Texas bishop and critic Joseph Strickland
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Pope Francis dismisses Bishop Joseph Strickland, a vocal critic among US Roman Catholic conservatives.
- Strickland refused to resign when asked by the Vatican, leading to his dismissal.
- The move is rare, as bishops are usually asked to resign before being relieved of duties.
- Bishop Joe Vasquez named as the interim administrator of the Tyler diocese.
- The removal of Bishop Strickland has sparked reactions from religious leaders on social media.
SUMMARY
Pope Francis has dismissed Bishop Joseph Strickland, a vocal critic among US Roman Catholic conservatives. Strickland refused to resign when asked by the Vatican, leading to his dismissal. The move is rare, as bishops are usually asked to resign before being relieved of duties. Strickland has been critical of Francis' attempts to make the Catholic church more welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community and give lay people more responsibility. The dismissal followed a Vatican investigation into the administration of the Tyler diocese, including a review of financial affairs. The Vatican named Bishop Joe Vasquez as the interim administrator of the Tyler diocese. Vasquez will be traveling to Tyler to assist local church leaders and guide them in prayers and service. The Diocese of Tyler continues its mission to share the Gospel and serve the needs of all people with compassion and love. The Holy See conducted an exhaustive inquiry into the governance and leadership of the Diocese of Tyler by Bishop Strickland. The removal of Bishop Strickland has sparked reactions from religious leaders on social media.