In an article by NCR reporter Brian Fraga, Bishop Strickland says he will not resign if pope asks. What comes next? | National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org)
"...Bishop Joseph Strickland, who has been subject to a Vatican investigation over his leadership style and right-wing comments on social media, has vowed in recent days not to resign or "voluntarily abandon" his diocese, even if Pope Francis asks him to do so."
From the article:
"But the Catholic Church's Code of Canon Law leaves Strickland little to no room to resist if the pontiff demands his resignation, several prominent canon lawyers told NCR."
"...Strickland, himself a canon lawyer who leads the Tyler Diocese, told Religion News Service on Sept. 12 that he would not willingly give up his diocesan post if Francis demands his resignation, which has been the subject of recent rumors in Texas and Rome."
"...the Vatican had not asked him to resign, but he also signaled that he would resist any such request by declaring that "as a basic principle," he could not surrender the "mandate given" to him by Pope Benedict XVI. The late pope appointed Strickland the bishop of Tyler in 2012."
"Of course that mandate can be rescinded by Pope Francis, but I cannot voluntarily abandon the flock that I have been given charge of as a successor of the apostles," Strickland told RNS."
"...While articulating a bishop's exalted status in the Catholic Church, canon law also stipulates that a bishop's authority to exercise his ministry and govern "can only be exercised in hierarchical communion with the head and members of the college" of bishops."
"Canons 330-333 emphasize the pope's primacy in all ecclesial matters, including over local churches. The pope's primacy, canon law says, "strengthens and protects the proper, ordinary, and immediate power which bishops possess in the particular churches entrusted to their care."
"...In recent years, Strickland has strained his ties with Francis and other bishops. Posting on X (formerly known as Twitter), Strickland has accused the present pope of "undermining the Deposit of Faith," and has shared several videos and essays attacking Francis."
",,,Strickland's leadership of his East Texas diocese is currently the subject of a Vatican investigation, known formally as an apostolic visitation. As part of that investigation, two bishops interviewed several witnesses over the course of several days in June. "
"Strickland's removal would not be without recent precedent. Since becoming pope in March 2013, Francis has removed other bishops, including at least two who refused to resign when they were asked to do so."
"...The pope has full authority to remove a bishop. That's just a fact," said Robert Flummerfelt, a Las Vegas-based canon lawyer who told NCR that it is a "very extreme action to defy the Holy Father."
So my question is, what does Strickland hope to accomplish? Pope Francis has not yet asked him to resign, but this statement seems like a dare. Is he trying to get the pope to back down from his questioning of his governing style, particularly in his endorsement of right wing politics and his behavior with regard to the pandemic? In some ways he seems like a teenager telling his parents that they aren't the boss of him. Except the pope actually is his boss. He can't take his episcopal ordination away from him, but that isn't in question. He can definitely say he is no longer the ordinary of the diocese of Tyler, Texas. Does he view this as some kind of a "95 Thesis" moment, "Here I stand, I can do no other!"? It's a tough position to put yourself in, that you're more Catholic than the pope, but that is basically what he is doing.
Fwiw, I think Strickland's communion with Francis already is impaired. I don't think there is any chance he gets to stay in his position. I think the best he can hope for is to get an opportunity for "fraternal dialogue" on the way out.
ReplyDeleteI assume he has a following of admirers, and it may be that their admiration of him are more important to him than his apostolic position.
In a way, I see Strickland working from the Trump playbook. Don't apologize, don't back down, and revel in the publicity.
I suspect that you’re right about that, Jim., especially the bit about reveling in being in the limelight. He’s apparently another narcissist with an out of control ego who loves having a fan club of his very own. This is what comes from hierarchs actually believing that they really are «successors to the apostles », not to mention being ontologically superior human beings just from being ordained.
DeleteI suppose he can schism and found the More Catholic than Catholic Church.
DeleteSeems like he'd fit in pretty well with the St. Pius X Society.
DeleteThe rewards/punishments structure for people in Strickland’s position puts them in the position of not being able to back off. If he suddenly announced he wanted to be reconciled with Francis, he would lose all his former friends and gain no new ones.
ReplyDeleteUnlike Trump the fate of extremists in the Church is pretty said. I guess former Apostolic Delegate Vigano is still out here giving interviews for right wing media, but the rest of the world ignores him as does Francis. Burke is about in the same position; got a little mainstream press for a book forward critical of the synod. Chaput has been pretty quiet. Probably would know what he is doing only by going to Napa Valley gatherings of the rich.
The most any of these guys can hope for is a moderate successor to Francis who might let them alone provided they are not critical of the new Pope. Of course, once Francis is gone, they will have to find a new way to get media attention.
One must be very careful not to build one’s life around opposition to someone or something. What happens if the someone or issue disappears.
Around 1980 when I did a postdoctoral residency in program evaluation at Saint Elizabeth in D.C., I participated in a group dynamics course. I did not like the Neo-Freudian theoretical orientation of the course, but some of the practical information about large group dynamics has stuck with me.
ReplyDeleteA large group is defined as a group which is divided between actors and audience. Some of the actors may be persons in leadership positions controlling the meeting, other actors may be persons from the audience that ask questions or make comments.
The key notion is to become aware how the dynamics of the meeting may not always be in accord with the intentions of the actors and the perceptions of the audience. For example, if one of the members of the audience challenges some of the statements of the formal leadership, he or she may receive a lot of support that should not be taken personally. It may come from formal leaders who are either dissatisfied with the policy or want a greater role in the leadership. Dissent from the audience is a convenient way to gauge support for policy and/or present leadership. The dissenter can easily be thrown under the bus if necessary. People in the audience may also encourage the dissenter without agreeing with him or her or even their alternative proposals.
Applying this to Strickland, he may have become a victim in the dynamics between the American bishops who are happy with the status quo and Rome’s pressure for change. They may be encouraging him quietly while saying to Rome behind the scenes “don’t disturb us, you really don’t want more of us to be like him.”
Interesting possibility.
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