Pope Francis Fires Anti-LGBTQ Bishop Joseph Strickland

Pope Francis fired conservative Texas bishop Joseph Strickland after Strickland continually attacked the Pope’s recent reforms and political stances. 

Strickland, former bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, had been releasing statements condemning the Pope since July 2023. In a July 2023 statement to his followers he wrote that “…the church exists not to redefine matters of faith” in a thinly veiled jab at Pope Francis.

This statement included several biblical references put forward as an “argument” against same-gender marriage and transgender identity. The Pope has spoken his support for same-gender marriage, and recently the Vatican announced transgender individuals could be baptized.

The Vatican conducted an investigation of Strickland from June 2022 to November 2023. After it was concluded, Strickland was relieved of his duties as bishop of the Diocese of Tyler. 

“As a result of the Visitation, the recommendation was made to the Holy Father that the continuation in office of Bishop Strickland was not feasible” the Vatican says in an official statement. The BBC also reports that there was also an inquiry into the financial handlings of the diocese.

Since the Pope’s decision, there has been a right-wing outcry against the Pope. One X (formerly Twitter) user made a post in response to the Pope’s actions, saying, “Like a Soviet-era dictator (…) Pope Francis has removed Bp. Joseph Strickland.” Another user says “The Pope has right to exercise his power unhindered.” 

The original poster then responds with a now well-criticized tweet that reads “Really? The pope is a dictator who has the authority to exercise unlimited power without due process?”

The Pope famously has Papal Supremacy, a doctrine held by the Catholic Church that says the Pope “has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.” 

With such a clear misunderstanding of the tenets of the Catholic religion among so-called followers, it is clear right-wing Catholics are having difficulties having their arguments taken seriously. 

As the Pope continues to take a more progressive stance than his predecessors, there will undeniably be more backlash against the Catholic Church and The Pope’s decisions.

Photo courtesy of social media