Skip to content

Bishop Strickland refused to resign, cardinal says

Pope Francis removed Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, from his post Saturday after he refused to resign, according to Galveston-Houston archbishop Cardinal Daniel DiNardo.

Strickland’s ouster on Nov. 11 comes after the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops completed a formal investigation in the diocese earlier this year called an apostolic visitation, which, according to a source, looked into the bishop’s social media use and questions related to diocesan management. The visitation was carried out by Bishop Dennis Sullivan of Camden, New Jersey, and Bishop Emeritus Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona.

“As a result of the visitation, the recommendation was made to the Holy Father that the continuation in office of Bishop Strickland was not feasible,” DiNardo said in his Nov. 11 statement. 

“After months of careful consideration by the Dicastery for Bishops and the Holy Father, the decision was reached that the resignation of Bishop Strickland should be requested,” DiNardo continued. “Having been presented with that request on Nov. 9, 2023, Bishop Strickland declined to resign from office. Thereafter, on Nov. 11, 2023, the Holy Father removed Bishop Strickland from the Office of Bishop of Tyler.”

Strickland, 65, served as bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, a suffragan diocese of Galveston-Houston, since 2012. The widely popular though polarizing Texas bishop had faced criticism for his firebrand social media posts, including a May 12 tweet that suggested Pope Francis was “undermining the Deposit of Faith.”

The Vatican announcement did not provide a reason for the bishop’s removal. Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin will serve as the apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Tyler until a new bishop is appointed.

The Diocese of Tyler released a statement Saturday morning announcing Strickland’s resignation and Vásquez’s appointment.

“Our work as the Catholic Church in northeast Texas continues. Our mission is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to foster an authentic Christian community, and to serve the needs of all people with compassion and love,” the statement said. “We strive to deepen our faith, promote the common good, and create a welcoming environment for all to encounter the loving God — Father, Son, and Spirit.”

“During this time of transition, we pray that God may continue to abundantly bless and strengthen the Church and God’s holy, faithful people here and around the world.”

Rome correspondent Courtney Mares contributed to this story.

 

This story was first uploaded to CNA.

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

From papal secretary to nuncio? Report of a diplomatic role for Gänswein unconfirmed

Not for the first time, it has been reported that Pope Francis is considering a diplomatic role for

Pope Francis: Diverse religious identities are ‘a gift from God’

Pope Francis praised cultural and religious diversity as “a gift from God” in a video message to an interreligious youth conference on Tuesday.

Pope Francis to Congolese youth: Prayer is your secret weapon for peace

To bring about peace, “prayer is the most powerful weapon there is,” Pope Francis told thousands of young

Will Pope Francis Visit Ukraine In 2025?

Media reports about Pope Francis potentially visiting Ukraine have raised hopes the Holy Father could accept an invitation to visit the war-torn country in 2025.

Pope Francis to palliative care symposium: Euthanasia is a ‘failure of love’

Pope Francis said at an interfaith symposium on palliative care in Toronto that “genuine palliative care is radically different from euthanasia, which is never a source of hope or genuine concern for the sick and dying.”

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNit