According to media reports, the Vatican has conducted an "apostolic visitation" to the well-known US bishop Joseph Strickland. Strickland, Bishop of Tyler (US state of Texas) is considered a popular US bishop and reaches many Catholics on social networks with his comments. In doing so, he also critically commented on some events in the Vatican. Among other things, in May, Bishop Strickland accused Pope Francis of "undermining the faith" on Twitter. He considers Francis to be the legitimate pope. But it is time to say that he rejects his “program of undermining the faith”. “Follow Jesus,” Strickland wrote in conclusion.
Please allow me to clarify regarding, “Patrick Coffin has challenged the authenticity of the Pope Francis.” If this is accurate I disagree, I believe Pope Francis is the Pope but it is time for me to say that I reject his program of undermining the Deposit of Faith. Follow Jesus.
— Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) May 13, 2023
According to media reports, the visitation of the Bishops' Congregation was accompanied by the two Bishops Emeritus, Gerald Frederick Kicanus and Dennis Joseph Sullivan. Employees of the diocese are said to have been questioned for a few days. It is unclear what the purpose of the process is supposed to be. The bishop himself apparently responded to the events on Twitter over the weekend and spoke of the honor of the persecution that Christians suffer when they speak the truth.
Catholic Vote reported:
The apostolic visitation was requested by the new prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops, Archbishop Robert Francis Prevost.
Prevost, a Chicago native and member of the order of St. Augustine, served as a missionary in Peru. On September 26, 2015, Pope Francis appointed him bishop of Chiclayo (Northern Peru.)
Sources: https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/apostolic-visitation-completed-in
https://catholicvote.org/vatican-launches-apostolic-visitation-of-bishop-joseph-strickland/
Comments