2023-11-11 18:14:00
He Pope Francisco This Saturday he dismissed the American bishop Joseph Stricklanda prominent conservative who has criticized his work at the head of the Vatican. This is a rare situation in the Catholic Church, where problematic high-ranking clerics are typically encouraged to resign.
El cardenal Daniel The Nardo, also from Texas, said the so-called apostolic visitation in June reported that it was “not feasible” for the bishop to remain in office. He revealed that Strickland, 65, had been asked to resign on Thursday, but he refused, prompting Francis to intervene.
“The Holy Father has relieved Joseph E. Strickland of the pastoral governance of the diocese of Tyler (USA)”, the Vatican stated in a statement. He said Austin Bishop Joe Vasquez had been named apostolic administrator of the diocese, but gave no further details.
The bishop’s criticism of Francis
Strickland was appointed by Benedict XVI in 2012 and became one of the most prominent critics of his successor, Pope Francis. The 86-year-old Argentine has sought since he took office 10 years ago to forge a more compassionate Church, open to different points of view.
But he has faced intense opposition from critics – particularly in the United States – who accuse him of causing confusion and failing to defend key Catholic beliefs. In a message earlier this year on X, formerly Twitter, Strickland said that while he recognized Francis as pope, he “rejected his agenda to undermine the deposit of faith.”
Many of Francis’ critics complain that he is not outspoken enough regarding abortion and that he is too compassionate towards homosexuals and divorced people.
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In turn, he lamented earlier this year the “strong reactionary attitude” of some Catholics in the United States, who, he said, do not understand the “evolution in the understanding of questions of faith and morals.”
Bishop Strickland’s word
The Vatican has not commented on its investigation into the Texas diocese, but Strickland previously said two American bishops spent a week conducting interviews, including with him, regarding the situation there.
In a blog post in September, he addressed rumors that he would be asked to leave voluntarily. “I cannot resign as bishop of Tyler because that would mean abandoning the flock” under his care, he wrote.
“I have also said that I will respect the authority of Pope Francis if he removes me from my position as bishop of Tyler”he maintained, adding that he loved Jesus Christ and the Church, and “my only desire is to speak his truth and live the will of God to the best of my ability.”
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Commentators say it is extremely rare for a bishop to be directly removed from office, but it is unprecedented. Francis removed a bishop from Puerto Rico, Daniel Fernández Torres, in a similar manner in March 2022, and the Vatican once more gave no reason. Torres claimed that he had been told that he had not been “obedient” to the Pope and that he did not have good enough relations with his fellow bishops.
In a statement released Saturday, Cardinal DiNardo, who is also archbishop of Galveston-Houston in Texas, explained the process to Strickland . After the visit to the Tyler diocese, “the recommendation was made to the Holy Father that the continuation in office of the bishop Strickland was not feasible,” he said. The decision to ask a Strickland Resigning and ultimately firing him came following “months of careful consideration,” he added.
There are more than 120,000 Catholics in the Tyler diocese, out of a total population of more than 1.4 million people, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
AFP/Gi
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