Bishop Joseph Strickland speaks Nov 1, 2018 at the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County’s 7th annual Butterfly Hope Luncheon at the Rose Garden Center in Tyler.

1. Vatican launches investigation of firebrand Texas Bishop Strickland, diocese confirms

An investigation by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops was conducted last week on Bishop Joseph Strickland and the Diocese of Tyler, according to multiple outlets.

An apostolic visitation was conducted for Strickland and the Diocese of Tyler for various reasons, including a controversial social media post on May 12.

News of the investigation began to circulate among Catholic outlets over the weekend, but news was confirmed by EWTN News and the National Catholic Reporter. The Tyler Morning Telegraph’s multiple phone calls to the diocese remained unreturned Wednesday afternoon. According to our news partners at CBS19, the diocese said it is not releasing a statement at this time.

According to a source in the diocese who spoke with EWTN News, the apostolic visitation included interviews with clergy and laity throughout the week before finishing up Saturday morning with a meeting with Strickland, the Catholic News Agency reported.

According to the EWTN News, the process addressed the bishop’s social media use but also questions related to diocesan management.

Strickland posted a tweet suggesting Pope Francis was “undermining the Deposit of Faith,” the Catholic News Agency said. Since 2012 the prominent national and East Texas diocese leader has faced criticism for social media posts.

Investigation results are unknown, including any potential changes at the Tyler diocese.

A person close to Strickland told EWTN News that the Tyler bishop “doesn’t want to make too big of a deal” of the visitation.

According to Pillar Catholic, an apostolic visitation is an official review of diocesan leadership and governance, usually convened at the behest of a Vatican congregation. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) states a delegated visitor or visitors are sent on the behalf of the pope to conduct an apostolic visitation also known as an “exceptional initiative of the Holy See.”

In a tweet on Wednesday morning, Strickland said, “The greatest blessing & joy in my life is to shepherd the flock of Tyler. I speak the truth because it gives me joy & I must share it. I am not America’s Bishop but I pray that speaking truth with clarity & charity will inspire America’s Bishops to join me in speaking truth.”

In a news release about an upcoming Diocesan Rosary Rally in honor of the third apparition of Our Lady of Fatima scheduled at 3 p.m. July 15, the Texas Needs Fatima Ministry asked for prayers for Strickland.

“… we especially ask for people to join in prayer for Bishop Strickland and all their personal intentions,” the group said.

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