Pope Francis removes critic and firebrand Texas Bishop Joseph Strickland from diocese

Claire Thornton

USA TODAY

In an unusual move, Pope Francis has removed an outspoken conservative bishop from his role governing the diocese of Tyler, Texas, the Vatican’s official news site announced on Saturday.

Bishop Joseph E. Strickland was forcibly removed from his role by the pope on Saturday after he refused to resign from office, Vatican News reported.

Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of Austin, Texas, has been appointed as the apostolic administrator, or interim bishop, of the Diocese of Tyler, according to the Vatican outlet.

In recent years, Strickland blasted the pope publically, criticizing what he claimed were extreme attempts at reform by the pontiff.

Strickland, 65, accused the pope in a tweet this year of “undermining the deposit of faith.” He was particularly critical of Francis’ recent meeting on the future of the Catholic Church, in which the pope discussed ways to better welcome LGBTQ+ Catholics.

In June, Strickland left his Texas diocese to lead a protest in Los Angeles against the Dodgers for featuring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence during Pride Night at Dodger Stadium. The pro-LGBTQ+ group is known for its members, who are drag performers dressed as nuns. The protest was sponsored by right-wing Catholic media outlets, reported the National Catholic Reporter.