Pope Francis removes Bishop Joseph Strickland from Tyler Texas diocese
Texas Bishop Loudly Critical of the Pope Is Removed. Echo report published in the New York Times by Ruth Graham. Bishop Joseph Strickland was a highly prominent figure among traditionalist American Catholics who see Pope Francis as too liberal. Pope Francis fired on Saturday a bishop in Texas who was one of his loudest American critics within the Catholic Church, a highly rare dismissal that appeared to reflect the growing rift between the Vatican and a more conservative wing of the church. The Vatican did not cite a reason for the dismissal of the bishop, Joseph Strickland, saying in a statement only that the pope “relieved” Bishop Strickland from the governance of his diocese in Tyler, Texas. (Tyler Texas Diocese website here. ) ✝️️✞☦✝✟♱ Bishop Strickland had significant ideological differences with Pope Francis. He was arguably the most prominent figure representing traditionalist American Catholics who see Francis as dangerously liberal on social issues like divorce, abortion and