On November 11, Pope Francis dismissed Bishop Joseph Strickland of his duties as the head of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas.
It is rare for a bishop to be removed from his position. Typically if there is a problem, bishops are asked to submit their resignation, which the pope then accepts. Heads of local churches are relieved of their duties only if they refuse to resign.
The Vatican Press Office announcement did not give a reason for the dismissal. But Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston isssued a statement saying Bishop Strickland had been asked to resign on November 9 but had refused.
The dismissal comes after the Vatican held an investigation into the administration of the Diocese of Tyler earlier this year. Cardinal DiNardo said the results of the investigation showed that Strickland continuing in office “was not feasible.”
Bishop Strickland has been especially critical of Pope Francis. Most recently with regard to the Pope's call for greater acceptance of LGBT persons, and toward the Synod on Synodality, which he called “schismatic.”
In the same press release, the Vatican Press Office named the bishop of Austin, Texas as the interim administrator for the Diocese of Tyler.
KG
