A Catholic bishop in East Texas is being investigated by the Vatican after challenging Pope Francis on social and political issues.
Bishop Joseph Strickland and the Diocese of Tyler faced an apostolic visitation in mid-June by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops after Strickland repeatedly criticized the pope’s leadership and accused him of undermining the Catholic faith.
“The whole process was very confidential,” said Elizabeth Slaten, communications director of the Diocese of Tyler, speaking with the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) on June 26. “The whole thing was conducted by the Holy See. We respect their processes. I’m not free to speak on behalf of Mother Church and the nuncio.”
In a controversial May 12 tweet, Strickland told his audience of over 130,000 people that while he believes Pope Francis is a valid Pope, “it is time for me to say that I reject his program of undermining the Deposit of Faith. Follow Jesus.”
The visitation reportedly involved inquiries into Strickland’s use of social media and questions about his management of the diocese.
Pope Francis has been criticized by traditionalist members of the Catholic Church for his allegedly left-wing views on LGBTQ lifestyles and other social issues.
Meanwhile, Strickland led a eucharistic procession and spoke at a rally on June 16, protesting the recognition of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Dodgers faced backlash from Christians after hosting the group of drag queens who dress in costumes that resemble the habits of Catholic nuns, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Strickland himself has yet to comment publicly on the investigation. However, he has remained active on Twitter.
“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,” he tweeted on June 27. “The Church which is the mystical body of Christ should be guiding us out of this darkness but she is weak.”
In the past, Strickland has also commented openly on political issues, having called President Joe Biden, a member of the Catholic Church, an “evil president.”
