Newsroom (26/06/2023 09:00, Gaudium Press) The Vatican’s Dicastery of Bishops has concluded a formal investigation, known as an apostolic visitation, into Bishop Joseph E. Strickland and the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, according to various media reports, including EWTN News.

This intervention by Rome in a U.S. diocese is a rare occurrence and suggests the possibility of disciplinary action against Bishop Strickland, who is known for his strong defense of pro-life values, traditional liturgy, and Catholic orthodoxy, making him a polarizing figure within the Church.

Bishop Strickland, 64, has faced criticism for his social media posts, perceived by critics as controversial for a prominent prelate. In May, he tweeted a comment suggesting that Pope Francis was undermining the Deposit of Faith. Recently, he played a prominent role in a protest rally in Los Angeles against Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers for honoring an anti-Catholic drag group during the team’s Pride Night game. While some praised his leadership, others saw his involvement as a breach of ecclesiastical protocol. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles clarified that it did not endorse the rally.

On June 21, Bishop Strickland also criticized a newly released Vatican document that proposed discussing topics such as women deacons, married priests, and greater inclusion for LGBT individuals at an upcoming assembly tied to the Synod on Synodality. He expressed his disappointment with these proposals on social media, stating that they went against the Gospel’s teachings.

News of the Vatican investigation spread through Catholic outlets, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. According to a source within the diocese who spoke with EWTN News, the apostolic visitation involved interviews with clergy and laypeople over the course of a week. The visitation concluded with a meeting between Bishop Strickland and the investigators, led by Bishop Emeritus Gerald Kicanas of Tucson and Bishop Dennis Sullivan of Camden, New Jersey. The investigation reportedly addressed not only the bishop’s social media use but also questions related to diocesan management.

During Bishop Strickland’s tenure in Tyler, the diocese has experienced changes, including the resignation of three diocesan officials in 2018, a decision made by Strickland to enhance the fulfillment of the diocese’s mission. However, Strickland’s tenure has also coincided with positive signs of spiritual and administrative health in Tyler. Currently, 21 men are in priestly formation for the territory of only 55,000 Catholics, a rate of seminarians-per-Catholic considerably higher than most other U.S. dioceses. The diocese is also reportedly in good financial shape, exemplified in part by the its ability to raise 99% of its $2.3 million goal for the 2021 bishop’s appeal six months ahead of schedule.

The outcome of the apostolic visitation and its implications for Bishop Strickland’s future remain uncertain. While sources close to the bishop downplayed the visitation, indicating that he does not want to make it a significant issue, others have speculated about potential replacements for him. The path forward will likely be determined by the Vatican’s assessment of the visitation’s findings and any subsequent decisions or actions they may take.

The Diocese of Tyler was erected in 1986, and consists of 55,000 Catholics in 33 counties of eastern Texas. Strickland is the fourth bishop of the diocese.

– Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA