Pope Francis Removes Vocal Critic, Bishop Joseph Strickland, from Texas Diocese

Rare dismissal of high-profile U.S. bishop sparks controversy amid ongoing debates over church's progressive reforms.

Pope Francis has removed Bishop Joseph Strickland, a vocal critic of his progressive reforms, from the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. Strickland has been outspoken against the Pope's emphasis on social issues and his outreach to LGBTQ+ communities and women.
Strickland's dismissal has sparked controversy among conservative Catholics, with some viewing it as an unjust retaliation against a bishop who was merely expressing his faith. The Vatican has not provided a specific reason for the dismissal.
Strickland has been associated with extreme conservative views within the Catholic Church, including endorsing a video that called Pope Francis a 'diabolically disoriented clown' and promoting unsubstantiated allegations against the Pope.
The dismissal follows a quiet investigation into Strickland's leadership over the summer. It is rare for a Pope to remove a bishop from office, with the last such dismissal occurring in 2022.
The removal of Strickland comes in the wake of the 'Synod on Synodality', a global gathering of the church's highest consultative body, which included discussions on how to welcome LGBTQ+ Catholics, a topic that has divided the church for years.