In a surprising move that has sent shockwaves through the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has forcibly removed Bishop Joseph Strickland from his position as the bishop of Tyler, Texas. The decision comes after Strickland, a staunch conservative known for his social media activity and criticism of the pontiff, has been openly vocal about his disagreement with some of Francis' priorities.

The Vatican released a brief statement announcing the pope's decision, stating that Francis had “relieved” Strickland of his pastoral governance of Tyler and appointed the bishop of Austin as the temporary administrator. The statement did not provide specific reasons for the removal, but it is believed to be related to Strickland's ongoing criticism of Francis and his recent meeting on the future of the Catholic Church.

Strickland, 65, has been a vocal critic of Francis, accusing him of "undermining the deposit of faith" in a tweet earlier this year. He has been particularly critical of the discussion of hot-button issues, such as the inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics, during the recent meeting. The Vatican had previously sent investigators to look into Strickland's governance of the diocese after reports of doctrinally unorthodox claims. However, the findings of the investigation have not been released.

It is rare for the pope to forcibly remove a bishop from office, as bishops are usually required to offer their resignation when they reach the age of 75. In cases where issues with governance or other problems arise before that age, the Vatican typically seeks to pressure the bishop to resign for the good of the diocese and the church. This was the case when another U.S. bishop, Richard Stika of Knoxville, Tennessee, resigned earlier this year following a Vatican investigation into allegations of mishandling sex abuse claims.

However, in the case of Strickland, the Vatican statement made it clear that he had not offered to resign and that Francis had instead relieved him of his position. Strickland had previously stated that he would not voluntarily resign, as he believed he had a mandate to serve from the late Pope Benedict XVI. He also expressed frustration at not being informed about the specifics of the investigation.

Strickland's removal has drawn mixed reactions within the Catholic Church. Supporters of Francis, who view Strickland's criticism as extreme and against the spirit of open debate, are likely to welcome the decision. However, conservatives who feel that Francis is diluting the teachings and rules of the church see Strickland's removal as further evidence of the pope's authoritarianism.

Strickland, considered a martyr by frustrated traditionalists, has a significant platform from which to voice his opposition. He hosts a popular weekly radio show and has a large following on social media. The diocese of Tyler will now be led by a bishop more aligned with Francis' vision, exacerbating the divide within the Catholic Church on issues of inclusivity and doctrine.