Pope’s removal of Bishop Strickland draws huge Catholic outrage, global media coverage
by Michael Haynes, LifeSite:
‘His persecution will only open the door for countless others to rise up.’
The morning’s news of Pope Francis removing the bishop of Tyler – Bishop Joseph Strickland – has made international waves and caused instant outrage amongst Catholics, in a fallout, the scale of which, has likely taken even the Vatican by surprise.
In the Holy See Press Office’s daily bulletin on November 11, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had “relieved” Bishop Joseph Strickland of the governance of his Diocese of Tyler.
The true import of the Vatican’s brief statement was not lost on the international media. By late afternoon Saturday, numerous major outlets across the globe had reported on the story, with varying degrees of favorability for either Strickland or Francis. The list includes:
- BBC Pope Francis fires Texan bishop after criticism of reforms
- CNN: Pope removes outspoken conservative Texas bishop after investigation
- REUTERS: In very rare move, Pope dismisses conservative US bishop Strickland
- AP: In a rare move, Pope Francis forcibly removed a Texas bishop who had called him too progressive
- FORBES: Pope Francis Ousts Conservative Texas Bishop After Frequent Attacks
- NY Times: Texas Bishop Loudly Critical of Pope Francis Is Removed
- NewsWeek: Pope Sparks Outrage After Firing Anti-LGBTQ Texas Bishop: ‘Dictator’
The Catholic media was not remiss in covering the news either, with the more heterodox outlets’ various reports welcoming the Pope’s move against Strickland, who has emerged as a recipient of regular criticism in the pages of many “Catholic” media outlets, for his stance promoting Catholic teaching and Tradition.
All outlets, Catholic and secular, noted Bishop Strickland’s vocal stance in proclaiming truths which are often posited in juxtaposition to the statements made by Pope Francis. Indeed, Strickland is known for his unequivocal defense of Catholic teaching, teaching that is often cast in confusion by papal statements or messages.
Strickland’s more public positions on moral and doctrinal issues include urging Francis to deny Holy Communion to former U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi over her support of legal abortion, accusing the pope of a “program of undermining the Deposit of Faith,” and condemning the prominent pro-LGBT “blasphemy” of Father James Martin, S.J.
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