After refusing to resign voluntarily, Pope Francis expelled Bishop Joseph Strickland from his diocese, sparking intense controversy among American Catholics. Strickland was well-known for his outspoken defense of orthodox Catholic teachings. Strickland had openly chastised Pope Francis on topics such as COVID vaccination, same-sex marriage, and communion for pro-abortion officials. Strickland issues a warning about the Church’s moral ambiguity, specifically with regard to doctrinal changes and same-sex blessings.
A Clash of Authority and Tradition
Bishop Joseph Strickland’s removal from the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, marks a rare direct intervention by Pope Francis. Appointed in 2012, Strickland became known for his unwavering defense of traditional Catholic values and his increasingly public criticism of what he perceived as dangerous shifts within the Church. Unlike most bishops who step down when pressured by the Vatican, Strickland refused to resign voluntarily, forcing the Pope’s hand in a move that has intensified divisions among American Catholics.
The Vatican-mandated investigation into Strickland’s governance recommended his resignation, but the specifics of what prompted this action remain somewhat unclear. What is evident is that Strickland had become one of Pope Francis’s most vocal critics, publicly challenging papal positions on issues ranging from communion for pro-abortion politicians to the Traditional Latin Mass and same-sex blessings.
Bishop Strickland states: “We need a shepherd's voice. Too many bishops today are not speaking out.
I am a retired bishop because I did speak out – and I believe I had to, because I know Jesus Christ, I know He is Truth incarnate.”Full video: https://t.co/O0L8V0FRUf pic.twitter.com/jHg0uRDAJs
— Michael Haynes 🇻🇦 (@MLJHaynes) February 12, 2025
The McCarrick Question and Church Consistency
One of the most consequential moments in Strickland’s public ministry came in 2018 when he spoke out about Cardinal McCarrick’s sexual misconduct scandal at a time when many church leaders remained silent. Strickland questioned how McCarrick had risen through church ranks despite behavior that contradicted Catholic teaching, highlighting what he saw as dangerous inconsistencies in the church’s application of its own doctrine.
Strickland further challenged what he saw as a creeping acceptance of views that contradicted established Church teaching, particularly targeting Fr. James Martin’s approach to LGBT issues. “There’s a priest who travels around now, basically saying that he doesn’t [believe Church doctrine]—and he seems to be very well promoted in various places,” Strickland noted, expressing concern about mixed messages coming from Church leadership.
Thank you Bishop Strickland for joining us in prayer for our very troubled Church, outside the USCCB conference in Baltimore today!
Later, when Strickland was asked by Westen why he was removed from his position, he said: “The only answer I have to that is because forces in the… pic.twitter.com/etYMoXGiB5
— Sanoj Thomas (@Sanothomas) November 15, 2023
A Defender of Traditional Worship
Strickland’s commitment to traditional Catholic worship became more evident in June 2020 when he celebrated his first traditional Latin Mass. The experience profoundly affected him. revealing his deep connection to the historical expressions of Catholic faith. This embrace of traditional liturgy came as tensions were rising over Pope Francis’s later restrictions on the Latin Mass, positioning Strickland as a defender of traditional worship forms increasingly marginalized under the current pontificate.
“I could hardly say the words of consecration because I became so filled with emotion, so deeply struck by those words. Thank God we only must whisper them in this rite, because I am not sure I would have been able to speak above that whisper, so struck I was at the profundity. It was the first time in my life that I had ever said those words in Latin, and I could hardly get them out. It’s indescribable, really.” – Bishop Joseph Strickland
Despite his firm stances, Strickland has demonstrated a willingness to reconsider positions when convinced otherwise. After initially making strong statements about the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), he publicly retracted his comments when presented with additional information—a move supporters cite as evidence of his humility and sincere pursuit of truth rather than mere stubbornness.
Warnings About the Synodal Path
In the months leading up to his removal, Strickland became increasingly vocal about concerns regarding the Synod on Synodality, a global Church process promoted by Pope Francis. Strickland warned that traditional Catholics might be labeled as “schismatic” for adhering to unchanging doctrines while the Church appeared to be contemplating significant shifts in its approach to contentious issues. He outlined seven “enduring truths” of Catholicism that he feared might be compromised.
His removal has transformed him into something of a martyr figure for traditional Catholics in America. “This is yet another blow to tradition,” noted one supporter, while others have lamented that “We, the American Church, have become too comfortable with sin. So much so that we can’t stand by a prelate who publicly denounces it.” The situation reflects deeper divisions within American Catholicism that extend far beyond one bishop’s fate, touching on fundamental questions about authority, doctrine, and the Church’s relationship with contemporary culture.