(NewsReady.com) – Texas Bishop Joseph Strickland is known as a Catholic firebrand who is often embroiled in controversies. He has repeatedly made controversial remarks online, even disparaging Pope Francis. Now he’s under investigation by the Vatican.
On June 26, the communications director for the Diocese of Tyler, Elizabeth Slaten, told the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) that Strickland was under investigation. She explained that she could not talk about the probe at all. “The whole process was very confidential,” she said. The Holy See, which is the Catholic Church’s central government, is carrying out the investigation.
Slaten did mention that the apostolic visitation took place over a few days the week before she confirmed it happened.
Back from vacation, and I've already had a busy Monday with this quick story for @NCRonline
The communications director for the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, told NCR that the apostolic visitation occurred over "a series of days" last week….https://t.co/q6RREPZFhT
— Brian Fraga 🇺🇸 🇵🇹 🇻🇦 (@BrianFragaNCR) June 26, 2023
The diocese has not revealed why the bishop is under investigation. However, some speculate that it might be related to his bombastic presence on social media, where he regularly attacks Progressives, the pope, the Catholic Church, and others he believes aren’t living right. For example, on June 27, he called the Catholic Church corrupt.
Let us pray constantly & fervently that more & more faithful Catholics will awaken to the devastating strangle hold that corruption has on the Roman Catholic Church. The Church which is the mystical body of Christ should be guiding us out of this darkness but she is weak. pic.twitter.com/ll9kvF8O5D
— Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) June 27, 2023
Strickland also called a summer celebrating Pride “the summer of sin.”
I’m afraid there was a misstep here, I believe they meant to say “Summer of Sin” it’s of course excusable, Summer of Sin or Summer of Pride…pretty much the same thing…pride…one of the 7 deadly sins https://t.co/fEngPcIYmO
— Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) June 27, 2023
Additionally, the bishop traveled to Los Angeles to lead a procession in the parking lot outside of Dodger Stadium. Members of the Catholic Church were angry after the baseball team announced it was going to honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group of trans and queer nuns. The Catholic Church called the event an act of blasphemy.
Strickland has accused Pope Francis of “undermining the Deposit of Faith.” He said he rejected that practice and told everyone to “Follow Jesus.”
Please allow me to clarify regarding, “Patrick Coffin has challenged the authenticity of the Pope Francis.” If this is accurate I disagree, I believe Pope Francis is the Pope but it is time for me to say that I reject his program of undermining the Deposit of Faith. Follow Jesus.
— Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) May 13, 2023
The Apostolic Nunciature in the US capital, which serves as the Vatican’s embassy, has not responded to questions seeking comment. It’s unclear when the results of the investigation will be known or whether they will even be made public.
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