Catholic bishop says Pope ‘undermines the stock of faith’

A controversial US Catholic bishop has expressed concern about Pope Francis, claiming he is “damaging the stock of faith”.

Bishop Joseph Strickland (pictured) of Tyler, Texas, is an outspoken critic of the current pope, notorious for his contentious relationship with Francis and who has called on the pope to remove him in the past.

But Strickland, while acknowledging the legitimacy of Francisco’s election, urged him to “follow Jesus.”

The bishop’s comments sparked a strong reaction on Twitter, with priests, deacons and Catholic intellectuals accusing him of being a schismist and violating his pledge of obedience to the Pope.

William T. Deitwig, former deacon of the Diaconte US bishop secretary, has called on Strickland to resign if he believes his conscience is keeping him away from the pope.

The next day, Strickland seemed to retreat somewhat, expressing his belief in the importance of unity and denouncing the schismatic movements and religious reformers who denied the pope’s legitimacy.

However, he later retracted a statement that branded the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) “separatist,” instead saying that the SSPX espoused the traditions of the Universal Church.

Strickland also appears to have distanced himself from far-right podcaster Patrick Coffin. Bishop participated as a guest speaker at an online “summit” hosted by Coffin’s organization Hope is Fuel on March 18.

Still, on May 15, the website removed Strickland’s name from its featured speakers. Nonetheless, it said a “respected Catholic bishop” attended the event along with “six mental health professionals” and a former professional athlete.

In recent years, Mr. Coffin has leaned far right, accusing Francis of being “anti-pope.” He also argued that Pope Benedict XVI’s February 2013 resignation was void.

“It looks like Strickland has finally crossed the line.”

When Benedict died, Coffin tweeted that the Vatican “has become vacant.” He prayed that the cardinals who elected Francis at the March 2013 conference “do the right thing and avoid another anti-pope.”

Respected Jesuit theologian Father Robert Spitzer, who made a guest appearance on the May 2 episode of Coffin’s show, distanced himself from Coffin. He said he disagreed with Coffin’s view on the legitimacy of Francisco’s election.

Spitzer said he had just learned of Coffin’s comments questioning the legitimacy of Francisco’s election.

“I am not in this position and will never be in it,” Spitzer said, adding that he asked for the interview with Coffin to be “taken off the series.”

On May 12, Strickland tweeted Spitzer’s statement, adding that he supported Spitzer’s position “entirely” “with respect to any statements made by Patrick Coffin regarding Pope Francis.”

But then he added in another tweet: “As to ‘Patrick Coffin (sic) challenged the authenticity of Pope Francis,'” I disagree if this is accurate. I believe Pope Francis is Pope, but the time has come to say that I reject his plans to undermine the deposit of his Faith. follow Jesus. “

“With this tweet, Bishop Strickland finally crossed the line and took direct action against Pope Francis and his ecclesiastical authority,” Mike Lewis said in a post on the pro-Francisco website Where Peter Is. And he seems to have expressed clear opposition.”

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National Catholic Reporter

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