Pope Francis forcibly removes pro-life Texas bishop after closed door Vatican investigation

On Saturday, Pope Francis relieved pro-life Bishop Joseph E. Strickland of Tyler, Texas, of his duties without reason and appointed the Bishop in Austin to take over temporarily. 

According to the Associated Press, Strickland made a name for himself among conservatives in the US as a staunch critic of the Pope's social agenda and even accused him of "undermining the deposit of faith."

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Texas told the Associated Press that the Vatican sent Bishop Dennis Sullivan of New Jersey and retired Bishop Emeritus Gerald Kicanas of Arizona to investigate claims that Strickland was making doctrinally unorthodox claims earlier this year. The investigator's recommendation to Pope Francis was that "the continuation in office of Bishop Strickland was not feasible," and Strickland was asked to resign on Thursday, but refused to do so. 

The most recent criticism that Stickland had for the Pope was about a month-long Synod last month where the Church voted on whether to allow women to have a bigger role in the decision-making of the Church and to codify being more welcoming to LGBTQ Catholics into its official policy. He called it a "travesty" that the Church was considering such matters. 

"Regrettably, it may be that some will label as schismatics those who disagree with the changes being proposed,” Strickland wrote in a letter. “Instead, those who would propose changes to that which cannot be changed seek to commandeer Christ’s Church, and they are indeed the true schismatics.”

Upon the announcement of Strickland's removal, the diocese of Tyler wrote in a statement, "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,” it 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.”

In reaction to the announcement, Human Events senior editor Jack Posobiec said on X, "Pope Francis just canceled the most pro-life bishop in America." He questioned, "Will the 'celebrity priests' on YouTube say anything about this?"

The move by the Pope to remove a Bishop is rare; Bishops are nearly always not required to offer their resignation until they reach 75 years old. The church will usually pressure a Bishop to voluntarily resign if an issue arises before then. 

Strickland is the second Bishop who was pushed out of a position this year. The first was Bishop Richard Stika, who resigned after allegations that he mishandled sexual abuse allegations arose.