Pope Francis XVI has fired the Texan Bishop Joseph Strickland for questioning his leadership abilities and his decision on various social matters including LGBTQ rights.
A statement from the Vatican noted that it came to the decision to relieve the bishop of his duties after an apostolic visitation ordered by the Pope in June 2023.
Additionally, the catholic church indicated that the investigation also looked at the handling of financial affairs at the diocese.
Notably, Bishop Strickland who is 65 years old, was appointed bishop in 2012, while Benedict XVI was Pope.
Details of Conflict Between Vatican and Strickland
Bishop Strickland has been leading others in a catholic church branch in the United States that is opposing the pope’s stance on abortion, transgender rights and same-sex marriage.
Also, he was under investigations by the Vatican for severally opposing the pope’s directives on matters including the lates LGBTQ issue.
In September, the Bishop challenged the Pope to fire him after the head of the Catholic church asked him to resign.
“I cannot resign as Bishop of Tyler because that would be me abandoning the flock,” he stated in response to the resignation.
Also Read: Pope Francis Allows LGBTQ Baptism
Similarly, he warned that some of the truths that Catholics stood by were being challenged including their values of marriage which he indicated was instituted by God to be between a man and woman.
Furthermore, Bishop Strickland is infamous for calling US President Joe Biden a ‘fake’ catholic.
Pope Francis Stance on LGBTQ Marriage
Earlier on November 8, Pope Francis approved a document allowing members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community to be baptized by the Roman Catholic church.
According to the statement from the Vatican, a person in a same-sex relationship can, serve as godparents at baptisms, be baptized themselves and serve as witnesses at weddings.
Also Read: Pope Francis Hints at Catholic Church Blessing Same Sex Marriages
At the same time, the head of the Catholic church noted that there was nothing in the canon law that prohibited a same-sex couple from holding a baptism for a child who had been adopted or was born via surrogacy.
“A transsexual who has also undergone hormonal treatment and sex reassignment surgery can receive baptism, under the same conditions as other faithful, if there are no situations in which there is a risk of generating public scandal or disorientation among the faithful.
“In the case of children or adolescents with transsexual problems, if well prepared and willing, they can receive Baptism,” the statement read in part.
