On this week’s episode of The Bishop Strickland Show, Bishop Joseph Strickland states that he is willing to suffer martyrdom, red or white, for defending the truths of the Catholic faith, and comments on the departure of about 500,000 Germans from the Catholic Church in 2022.
Bishop Strickland began the episode by responding to accusations of being a “rad trad,” explaining that all he ever does is “talk about Catholicism” and “read the Catechism out loud.”
because [most of] the people that are using the language of ‘rad trad’ … are saying all this Scripture needs to change, or the Catechism needs to change, or we have to develop beyond this,” he opined.
“The Truth doesn’t develop into some new entity, because the Truth is Jesus Christ,” His Excellency declared. “And that’s all I care to talk about, is Who He is, and the Light that He brings to the world.”
He further connected the discussion to St. Irenaeus of Lyons, a second century Father and Doctor of the Church, who wrote the book Against Heresies. “It really hasn’t changed,” said Strickland, comparing the second century Church’s fight against the Gnostic heresy with the current crises in the Church. “The labels change, the tactics change. But the Truth doesn’t change, and really, the false messaging … doesn’t change either.”
“I will die like Irenaeus if I have to, for proclaiming [the Truth of Jesus Christ],” Strickland stated. “Ignatius, Irenaeus, so many of the great martyrs that were threatened, and they were told, ‘Be quiet, or change your teaching, or you’re going to lose your life.’ They couldn’t change their teaching, neither can you [or] I.”
“I don’t expect to be martyred,” he continued. “It could happen, I guess. Anything could happen in this crazy world. But a bit of a white martyrdom is what we all have to be ready for.”
Later in the episode, Strickland offered comments on the loss of 500,000 Catholics from the Church in Germany in 2022….
From LifeSiteNews
God bless Bishop Strickland because martyrs go straight to Heaven Keep defending the Catholic faith!
He is not a martyr and I hope he will not be.
Yes, Bishop Strickland most certainly is a martyr– a White Martyr — suffering for the Catholic Faith. The whole world today, is full of suffering Catholics and Christians of all denominations, martyred everywhere for their Faith, by a hateful, anti-Catholic, and anti-Christian world. There are even news stories of children in so-called “Catholic” schools, being martyred for their Faith, telling teachers that there are only two genders, boy and girl, biological boys should not be allowed in girls’ bathrooms and gym locker rooms, and LGBT and gender ideology lessons are wrong– and getting kicked out of Catholic school for saying such things.
“The truth is Jesus Christ” Oh Jesus I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.
He’s sure trying hard to incur the ecclesiastical penalties that would make him a martyr in Trads’ eyes.
“He’s sure trying hard to incur the ecclesiastical penalties that would make him a martyr in Trads’ eyes.” I take his language to mean he is distancing himself from rad trads and defending his orthodoxy and suitability as a bishop against any future action against him from Rome.
“ecclesiastical penalties”
??? For preaching the Truth?
What church you talkin’ bout, bro ???
No honey, he’s just trying to do the right things but folks who have been drinking Church’s the liberal Kool Aid can’t see it.
He has nothing to gain at all by this…that’s how you know he’s 100% sincere and the real deal. That kind of radical surrender is only possible through the movement of the Holy Spirit…
LOVE to listen to the Bishop Strickland Hour podcasts. In this particular podcast, he talked about many things. One thing that made me laugh, is when Strickland stated that we cannot have a Mass that celebrates sin– such as the Pride Mass. To further explain his point, he said that it would be like having a Pride Mass, and next, an Embezzlers’ Mass, and then a Fornicators’ Mass, etc. So true– and so funny. My prayers are daily with Bishop Strickland, iin this Vatican situation. You know–
as Bishop Strickland said– we can lose our salvation, by deciding not to believe in Church teachings any more, and starting to lead a life of sin. Our salvation is
not guaranteed. We have to be faithful to Christ to the very end. I wonder now, if some bad priests and prelates, who preach sinful and heretical beliefs — might lose their salvation?
Mary, Virgin Most Powerful, intercede for us sinners, especially those who are tearing your Son’s body apart.
I am deeply impressed that Bishop Strickland makes daily Holy Hours, on his knees, before the Blessed Sacrament– just like Abp. Fulton J. Sheen! Bishop Strickland has a deep devotion also, to Our Blessed Mother. He said that in one of his Holy Hours, Our Lady asked him to stand up strongly for the Catholic Faith, even if it brought him to her Son’s Cross, in a martyrdom. So that is what he did. He follows Our Lady’s inner guidance, in prayer. Beautiful!
The Diocese of Tyler is located in the ecclesiastical province of Galveston-Houston. The Metropolitan of the province is Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Cardinal Archbishop of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese– the fifth largest Archdiocese in the U.S. Cardinal DiNardo consecrated Bishop Strickland in 2012, as a Bishop. I wonder what DiNardo’s thoughts might be, on this Vatican investigation?
Card DiNardo knows how to be careful. He is very orthodox and knows what the true faith is
Here is a link to a beautiful article on Bishop Strickland:
https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/bishop-strickland-laying-down-his-life-for-his-sheep
Sorry, here is a corrected link to this excellent article about Bishop Strickland:
https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/bishop-strickland-laying-his-life-down-for-his-sheep
The Diocese of Tyler was created in Dec. 1986, by Pope St. John Paul II, because the Catholic population of East Texas was growing fast. The new Diocese was created out of three Texas Dioceses– Dallas, Beaumont, and Galveston-Houston. It covers 33 counties, with 52 parishes, and 14 missions. The total population is about 1.5 million, and the Catholic population is about 120,000. Bishop Strickland was originally ordained, and served in the Diocese of Dallas.
Tyler, Texas, is known as the “Rose Capital of America” and the “Rose Capital of the World.” There are many beautiful rose gardens in Tyler– and growing roses is a huge business. I bet there are many beautiful bouquets of roses, for Our Lady’s altars and shrines, in all of the Catholic churches, in Tyler, Texas!
The Diocese of Tyler in Northeast Texas is located in what is called the “Piney Woods” region, with lots of pretty, rolling hills, forests, and lakes. And lots of pretty rose gardens! Bishop Strickland grew up in the Piney Woods region, right in the Diocese that he now serves as a Bishop. He is the youngest of six kids, from a devout Catholic family. I would enjoy someday visiting the Diocese of Tyler, in the Piney Woods region of Northeast Texas.
Oh, sorry– in my comment of July 20 at 8:28pm, I said that Bishop Strickland was the youngest of six kids. I got that mixed -up. He said he was the fifth of six kids.
None of that is important.
He has said that he is a loyal son of the Church. That is what is important.
It is his varying from the Church that is getting him in trouble.
Those who read too much traditionalistic bs will not pick up on what he did wrong because they fall for the same errors.
If the Vatican investigation finds nothing wrong with Bishop Strickland– they owe him, the Diocese of Tyler, the Catholic faithful, and the whole world, a huge apology for their destruction of his good name, and destruction to the Diocese of Tyler. Plus, they owe to Bishop Strickland, and to all– honesty and transparency, to declare publicly, the reason for this investigation. It sounds too odd, too malicious, almost.
An apostolic visitation is an inquiry. It does not destroy his good name.
He has not been accused of anything.
You ought to know, that a big Vatican investigation– or any kind of investigation — looks very bad, very suspicious, in the eyes of the public. It makes a bishop and his Diocese look unreliable, like something maybe illegal, immoral or heretical is going on. It makes people wonder also, if the Bishop will be found guilty of something bad, and may be removed from his position. It really looks bad! Do not minimize the seriousness of a Vatican investigation. It is as serious as an investigation by the police, FBI, or IRS. It severely undermines trustworthiness.
The Vatican did not make it public.
Yes the Vatican made it very public. The whole world knows.
Nope. social media, church militant, EWTN, sources in diocese of Tyler
The Vatican visitation to Bishop Strickland was also in the Vatican news sourcas as well as religious and secular news sources, everywhere. It was in many major newspapers, and in all of the Texas newspapers, and on TV news. ou are really not realistic regarding news. I also saw the news story in Protestant and other religions news sources, and in leading American faith and family-type news sources. Anything a Catholic bishop does that is of significance– will be reported on. A Vatican investigation– is great, big news! With all sorts of reporters of all types, speculating on the reasons for the visitation, and speculating on all possible outcomes. What did the Bishop of Tyler do, and will he be kicked out, and replaced? What’s going on in the Vatican? What do the local Catholics of Tyler think about this? What did Tyler Diocesan Catholic officials say? Etc. Never minimize news like this, of a Catholic bishop. Such news does not put a bishop– or our Church– in a favorable light.
Please provide the link where the Vatican commented on it.
One does not have to wonder if ‘bad priests’ may lose their salvation. It is a fact that many of the greatest Saints in the Middle ages, said the road to hell is paved with the skulls of Bishops. Whoever believes, among other things, that abortion is morally acceptable under any circumstance for any reason whatsoever, financial or health wise, is never going to be saved. Unless of course they repent of that stance sincerely and correct themselves to whoever they may have influenced by their beliefs, especially. Children and the responsibility to teach truth and live as an example to,etc. Yes, it is not a rosy picture by any means. Remember Our Lord’s answer when asked how many would be saved. He said:”Few there are who find it.”
“I’m not sure what a “rad trad” is”. I always assumed it was a radical traditionalist. Those who are not in union with the Church. The first time I heard the term was from a student at Franciscan and it was used in a derogatory sense because there are students there who are against Pope Francis and against Vatican II.
But labels spread and they get used as an insult and people who really don’t know about radical traditionalism will use it to talk about anybody who is against Vatican II or the Pope.
The term is being mis-used for those who attend licit Latin Masses.
There is a blogger who calls himself the Rad Trad who attends Byzantine liturgy.
Willingness to be martyred is part of being Catholic. I am sure that every Bishops and priest is willing. I think many laypeople don’t think about it but those who do realize that it is part of the Faith.
In terms of white martyrdom, I think those who take insults for standing up for the Church and the Faith are many.
I am sure we all have suffered some kind of rejection or mistreatment because we are Catholic.
Let’s all move into the Tyler Diocese and make it the fastest-growing diocese in the U.S.!!
If you know people who do not go to Church, invite them.
If you know Catholics who have left, invite them back.
Do you know a good Mass I can invite them too. That’s the main problem: celebration of Mass is overwhelmingly low quality.
Any Mass you invite them to is the same thing it was since after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
They will be present at the Last Supper, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.
No, it’s not the same thing. Even you must admit that the Mass varies tremendously in quality and content among parishes within ten miles of each other in the same diocese. You go to a new parish, and you never know what you’re going to get for music, preaching, the welcome committee. One parish has drums and electric guitars, the next has organ, the next has a folk group. One has a priest who thinks he’s Johnny Carson, another has one who can barely be understood. It’s not the same thing.
This is how poorly catechized people are.
So Strickland falsely accuses Pope Francis for “his program of undermining the Deposit of Faith,” yet Strickland portrays himself as the one being persecuted? Very troubling.
He may have bought into the persecution complex of the false traditionalist groups like your beloved SSPX and even the former beloved ex-Ecclesia Dei groups. Things might not go well for this Bishop if he continues this trajectory, because he may be setting his face against Christ if he continues to set himself against the Pope. He has not retracted his statement about the Pope “undermining the Deposit of Faith” which is false and horrendous.
The truth is indeed Christ Our Lord as the Bishop claims, but as Catholics we cannot divorce the Truth that is Christ with what the Pope teaches and his ministry. To do so is not Catholicism.
The pope himself undermines the Faith all the time, by questioning Catholic Orthodoxy, saying he doesn’t like the rules, and by constantly making ambiguous statements.Also, there are troubling questions of the Synod trying to find deviant ways to legitimize women deacons and priests. There are many heretical LGBT supporters, invited for the Synod. And laymen are being asked to vote, although it is supposed to be only a Synod of Bishops– and only bishops are supposed to vote.
The appointment of Abp. Fernandez, a good friend of the pope, also looks very bad, in the eyes of the public, because Fernandez has a publicly famous history of deviance from Catholic teaching. He also has made public remarks, about questioning Church teachings on homosexuality. And he was found to be covering-up clerical sex abuse cases. Not great, for a cleric who is to be Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Fairh. He will have to deal with clerical sex abuse cases, in this new position, worldwide, for the Church– will he be trustworthy? Scary!
One of the most troubling aspects of the Synod on Synodality, is the many participants invited, both clerics and laymen, who are dissidents against Catholic teaching, and who support homosexuality. Many Catholics are upset regarding this.
“Truth” is shockingly mistaken. Pope Francis does not undermine the Catholic Faith. Fernandez didn’t and doesn’t deviate from the Catholic Faith. And the Synod is not going to be filled with dissidents. All of these are falsehoods. These are the type of falsehoods perpetuated by detractors of the Pope and of the Church. Beware, people.
When the synod issues its final report, I’m going to mock you for all the ways in which you were self-assuredly wrong despite the mounting evidence. The synod’s outcome has been predetermined. Let those with eyes to see, see.
You’ve been wrong many times before. What makes you think you’re going to be right this time?
jon, others are rightfully troubled, about current matters in our Church — regardless of your own personal thoughts and feelings. Everyone is entitled to their views. Better to understand why so many millions of Catholics are troubled — try to listen to, and understand their points of view. The priests at your parish church may likewise express the same views. You must stop blindly, rudely telling good Catholic posters, that they are all “wrong,” just because they have a different — and worthy– viewpoint. What if YOU were wrong about something? Ever thought of that?
The issue here “Different” is not that I have been personally wrong about something. The issue here is that the Holy Father Pope Francis and the rest of the Magisterium have not been wrong in their teachings concerning faith and morals. Their teachings are solidly Catholic and protected from error by God.
“Different” is wrong. Calling out the error of commentators here is not necessarily rude. It’s correction, which more often than not is necessarily especially in this here blog where dissenters dwell in the comments section. Dissenters need to be corrected, people.
And folks, there are more dissentful comments here that I do not correct than I do get to correct.
I am about coming here just to congratulate you for getting things right.
I have been trying for years to tell people to stop getting their Catholic information from bloggers and news sources on the Internet. Even worse, podcasters.
Usually they are lay people but sometimes they are clergy.
The Vatican has daily news briefs.
There is a huge difference between faith and belief.
If you believe in the tenets of the Church, good but you are missing the point.
You need to believe in God.
If you can’t trust this Pope then you can’t trust any of them and then you can’t trust the Church and then you can’t trust the Bible or Tradition and the whole thing falls apart.
It is why Jon calls you Protestants. The current crop of unbelievers do not call themselves that. They call themselves Catholics and they try to persuade others that they are the righteous and the Church is corrupt.
The original Protestants kept the Bible and formed their own Churches. They were heretics.
It is not different now.
Don’t be ridiculous. You cannot get accurate news from
opinionated people, bloggers, and podcasters. I am elderly, not “computer-oriented,” much too old for the things that you younger people do. Most bloggers and podcasters are far too young for me. A good book by an excellent author, like Pope Benedict, for example– is much better. I read only news from objective, professional news sources. Sandro Magister, and other professional Vatican reporters, do a good job. I don’t think many younger people of today, have much of a foundation, academically, to fully comprehend matters of the secular world, or of the Catholic faith. I also think you are ridiculous for saying that any good Catholic concerned about possible wrong-doings in the Church, should be ignorantly called a “Protestant.” A decent education would help you understand things better. There have been both good clergy and bad, all through the ages. Our priests often recommend good books by very excellent clerical leaders– like Pope Benedict, Cardinal Sarah, etc. Do not be naive. Avoid any Catholic leader, like Jesuit Fr. James Martin, a Papal favorite– who supports anything to do with homosexuality. The Catholic Faith is true, it is of Christ. It is Eternal. But not all Catholic clerics are sincere believers. I am so sorry for good Catholic parents who have been deceived, trusting priests and prelates with their kids — who turned out to be dangerous clergy sex predators— that’s horrible!
Not troubling at all if you believe in the Holy Spirit.
You can’t tell the Holy Spirit what to do. You must obey Him. If you don’t, severe consequences may follow.
You can’t tell the Holy Spirit what to do.
Most people don’t obey Him.
Stop attacking our Pope. Stop slandering him. He is not undermining the Catholic Church.
The Pope himself attracts worldwide attention, and is quoted in all news sources, every time he writes or says something. If he says or does anything ambiguous, or contrary to the Catholic Faith, Catholics worldwide will be concerned. Their rightful concerns are not “attacks.” The way the current Synod is being run, and the questionable new appointment of Fernandez to the DDF, the Pope’s invites of many dissident gay supporters to the Vatican and to the Synod– led by pro-gay and pro-women’s ordination, Cdl. Hollerich– and the Pope’s promotion of gay supporter, Jesuit Fr. James Martin– and the Pachamama scandals– etc. etc.– are a great cause of concern, for many Catholic laymen and clerics, worldwide. Plus, many Catholics have been deeply concerned with the current pope tearing down all the fine accomplishments of his last two predecessors. Catholics have really been getting hurt by all of this– and much more! They have a right to express their concerns.
If you are confused and you are Catholic (which many here doubt) go to your pastor and have him explain the Catholic Faith to you.
“He has not retracted his statement about the Pope “undermining the Deposit of Faith” which is false and horrendous.” I will grant you jon, that it is a most provocative statement that may land him a new ministry in a parish in Tierra Del Fuego or Nome Alaska, or the suspension of his faculties as a priest. If anything along these lines is to be his fate, he will consider that his martyrdom for speaking forth the truth as he sees it. It seems he is not bound by obsequious devotion to P. Francis (as some are) when he sees what he considers the destruction of the faith at P. Francis’ hands. And it would not surprise me if Jesus would consider B. Strickland a true brother for suffering for the sake of His name. For there are many who agree with B. Strickland but have little to lose for speaking out, while B. Strickland has everything to lose by discharging his mind concerning the synodal process and other matters that provide grist for the mill for his conviction. I don’t know if B. Strickland has laid out point by point his case against P. Francis, but if he has, I would consider his points, rather than summarily dismiss his statement as false and horrendous. More to the point, P. Francis should consider B. Strickland’s convictions as well. He might end up agreeing with Strickland, even if only in a very small way. This makes, even if only in a very small way, P. Francis’ truest friend.
“This makes, even if only in a very small way, P. Francis’ truest friend.” I meant to say, This makes B. Strickland, even if only in a very small way, P. Francis’ truest friend.
Strickland, contrary to “Dan”, has not systematically laid out his case, thereby making his position in relation to the Pope truly horrendous. Strickland’s position is classic Protestantism, sorry to say.
“Strickland, contrary to “Dan”, …” jon, I never said he laid out a case, only that if he had, it would be important to read/consider. I take it that IF Strickland did lay out reasons for his view of P. Francis, you would consider these reasons only to charge him with being protestant , regardless of what the reasons are. Am I understanding you, jon?
Let’s put it this way “Dan”: there is nothing in the Magisterium of Pope Francis that justifies the kind of reaction we are getting from the false traditionalists and from Strickland. Nothing. The Pope and the rest of the Magisterium have made no error whatsoever in their teachings on faith and morals. None.
For those who like me adhere to the discipline of “sentire cum Ecclesia” Pope Francis’ magisterium is in harmony with his predecessors and with the rest of the Church’s tradition. We are at peace, serene; and our faith is strong. We are not moved.
But among those who’d rather follow their own personal magisterium, they’re having problems right now. They are not at peace. They are in turmoil. That’s where the Devil wants them. Lack of peace is a sign that they made a wrong turn somewhere, just as this Bishop it seems made a wrong turn. Somewhere.
jon, this is worse than you think.
Worse how?
I think Bishop Strickland is a decent bishop but he is being distracted from his duties.
If you go to youtube and type in Bishops Strickland, you will see some of his associates.
https://portlanddiocese.org/definition-bishop
“within the diocese he shepherds”
In the Catholic Church, you cannot be a martyr for speaking for the truth as you see it. That is not what a martyr is.
He seems to feel persecuted if you look at his twitter.
There was something else that he did that I will not tell since the websites that were talking about it seem to have deleted it.
It was beyond dumb in several ways.
I suspect that it is what triggered the Apostolic Visitation but it could be another thing which I will leave you to google.
It is a little senseless to speculate.
Sometimes people who are erring really believe that they are right.
“In the Catholic Church, you cannot be a martyr for speaking for the truth as you see it.” Maybe so. But what matters is that B. Strickland would consider himself a martyr, even if this martyrdom does not imply his death. Acting on your google request, I have found there is hostility to B. Strickland in his own diocese for managerial incompetence, political activism, and other unspecified grievances. Here is an example of the latter:
“I grew up in this diocese, it’s not the church I grew up in any more and I’ve completely left the faith because of what I witnessed as I grew up. I was active in the church, my whole family was, and we have all left. Once they start digging I’m sure they will find boat loads of things but continue to cover it up. ” (from Religious News Service, June 26, 2023).
A reply to this individual shed some light on the above:
27 June, 2023
“I can relate, I’m very close to stopping as well. Tired of the politic, tired of what seems to be a kind of secularization of everything I go to mass for my soul, to receive the Eucharist , to participate in community, I don’t go for the selfish political agendas that someone like Strickland is selling. Somehow politics has taken the place of what his position is supposed to be so yes, I’m right there with you.”
Much food for thought, and the need to google a little more.
They should not leave the Church. They should offer it up. Keep praying and living the Faith.
Jon, did you ever study the Catholic faith you exol? Did you study the history of the papacy? If so you would realize that your entire post is nothing but liberal emotions sprinkled with convenient facts. I can prepare a syllabus of study for you so you can actually understand the deposit of faith and how the very oath the Pope takes is to preserve it- which Francis is not. He is creating a new religion.
I would like to see that.
Since the deposit of faith ended with the Apostles, it should not be too long.
We already know the Bible.
This is so true. LOL. Creating a new, secularized, modernist religion out of the 2,000+ years old Catholic Faith! Christ would not recognize it. He would be so shocked to see all the strange and foul interest in and preoccupation with sex, of some of today’s blasphemous clerics, promoting the LGBT agenda– with no discipline, no correction from the Pope and Vatican. And worse– all the clerical sex abuse. He gave His life for our salvation.
Stop persecuting the Catholic Church by printing wrong information here. The Church has repeatedly said it can’t bless gay unions. But people like you insist that it does. Who is obsessed by sex then? People like you.
The Vatican is corrupt. Only God is perfect.
Everyone must be very careful for their kids. Our Church has tragically suffered from terrible corruption and abuses. Did you know that the horrific “California monster,” former “Fr.” Oliver O’Grady, convicted of raping and molesting at least 25 California Catholic children, in the Diocese of Stockton– from the time he was ordained, in 1971— he never stopped doing his crimes!!
(Cardinal Mahony covered-up his crimes, when he was Bishop of Stockton, with parish trsnsfers.) Even after being sent to jail, and laicized– O’Grady never stopped his crimes! After he gor out of jail the first time, and was deported to his native Ireland, he was arrested numerous times in Ireland and in Europe, for more child rapes, and for possession and distribution of child pornography! Back in the U.S. recently– he committed more of these same crimes– and was recently released from serving yet another jail sentence!
Satan is the father of lies and he hates the Pope and the Church.
No. Satan tempts the Pope because he is weak and human. Satan hates only Christ. This is the great battle between Good and Evil, God and Satan. Satan is the enemy of Christ.
Reply to: Satan has been defeated by Christ. The devil tempts everyone.
Satan hates the Church because God loves the Church. Satan hates God.
I’m serious. I want the syllabus. Please.
At least he’s honest about the German Church dying and, tragically, wanting to spread its disease to the rest of the Body of Christ. Is there an anti-heresy vaccine the bishops might promote? Happy talk by some bishops is not helpful. Let’s acknowledge the truth about the state of the Church and have hope in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
I’m glad to see you back.
People leave the Church because they lack Faith. Period.
I’ve been there and done that and whatever stupid reason you give is BS.
The faithful Catholics stay.
Jesus and Mary stay.
We need to pray for this bishop.
If you watch the interview, it is quite troubling.
He is being exploited.
But he is allowing himself to be exploited.
He is in that horrible mindset where he thinks he is one of a few faithful.
We all have that temptation, but it is a temptation.
He should talk faithfully.
Not just saying “I’m faithful” but being faithful and faith filled.
Collect for Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary time
O God, who show the light of Your truth to those who go astray,
so that they may return to the right path,
give all who for the faith they profess are accounted Christians
the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ
and to strive after all that does it honor.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen
Mark 11:22-25
Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God.
Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.
Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.
When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.
Catholic author Kevin Wells, in his article about Bishop Strickland, stated that the “pontifical investigative team (sic) will use this statement as evidence for the visit, despite many dozens of tight-lipped, tepid, and flat-footed American bishops feeling the same as Bishop Strickland. I know this to be true; more than a few have shared their thoughts with me off the record.”
Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things the LORD hates,
yes, seven are an abomination to him;
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that plots wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to run to evil,
The false witness who utters lies,
and the one who sows discord among kindred.
One of the problems with the interview is that they accuse this unnamed “them” of being and doing and thinking these atrocious things and proclaim themselves as the good guys who are rebutting it.
It is just annoying.
If you are only good in relation to the straw men you set up to look bad, then you are not good.
Then the interviewer said rightly that Jesus said to “Love your enemy.”
Ok. Go for it.
Just a reminder:
This podcast is media.
It is not a homily or a part of his ministry as bishop.
This is not how the magisterium (of which Bishop Strickland is a part) communicates to the faithful.
That does not mean that anything he is saying is wrong.
But what he calls people “ugly” that is not coming from the Church.
I really wish all of them-including the Pope-would stop doing interviews and communicate strictly as Bishops and representatives of Jesus Christ.
I know it is difficult to deny yourself, take up your Cross and follow Christ 24/7.
There are always temptations.
Let’s pray for him and all bishops and priests and especially the Pope.
Here is how it really is:
If you want to become Catholic, it takes about a year. You start as an inquirer and when you have decided that you really do accept the Faith and want to become Catholic, then you go through a short ritual in which the Church accepts you as a catechumen where you spend a long time learning the Faith and praying. If you have already been baptized, you go through the same process to receive Communion and Confirmation.
If you are a Catholic who has left the Church, you need to see a priest. He will talk you through Confession (Reconciliation) and guide you.
If you have specific questions, this is a good resource. I have not read every FAQ but if you find a problem, post it here.
https://waterloocatholics.org/what-if-i-dont-agree-with-some-of-the-churchs-teachings
https://www.catholiceasttexas.online/toward-a-synodal-church-the-report-of-the-diocese-of-tyler/
For those interested…
The RC Church is split and in schism, but it’s not official yet. The last straw will be when the synod and the “recent magisterium” enabled by the new prefect of the DDF provide a stealth approval of gay unions blessed by the church, as Amoris Laetitia provided a stealth approval of communion for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics. When that occurs, the schism will become official.
Are you an Anglican, of the UK’s CofE? Looks like our RC Church is headed down the same path, led by a faithless liberal pope and prelates. And many stand around and watch, helplessly, and lie to themselves and to all the faithful about it. No manhood, no dedication to Christ, to stand up and fight for Him. These “lost generations,” since the evil 1960s, serve only one thing– the diabolic, Godless “trinity” of “Me, Me, and Me.” Both the CofE and RC will eventually collapse in sin before Almighty God, and severe consequences will follow.
Stop putting down the Catholic Church. You comment here only to pick on us Catholics. Go away.
Don’t take the comment too seriously! LOL! Ever seen a lesbian Anglican priestess? Is that what the leaders of the Synod on Synodality might want, too? LOL! You need a great big laugh, for that!
There will never be a priestess in the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church cannot ordain women to the priesthood.
The person who posts here as reply to and has been asked to go away because of their constant attacks on Jesus Christ and His Church, their dishonesty, their ignorance of Christianity, their just plain antagonism to the Church.
We must bear them patiently.
Everyone has seen what this person writes.
Maybe we should just ignore them.
You must try to correctly read what others write– and don’t make ignorant assumptions about them. Many Synod leaders and participants have expressed interest in, and support for, topics like women’s ordination and acceptance of gay relationships. These particular Synod leaders and participants have also clearly stated that they are dissenters from Catholic teaching. Therefore, many good Catholic laymen, like myself, and good Catholic clergy, are concerned about this. If you stop and think clearly about this absurd and dishonest situation– you will plainly see, that it is very dumb to attack those like myself, who are concerned about such things. As a presumably Catholic adult– you, too, should be concerned.
How many Synod leaders and participants do you know?
Did you read the Synod document?
You must try to correctly read what others write– and don’t make ignorant assumptions about them. Many Synod leaders and participants have expressed interest in, and support for, topics like women’s ordination and acceptance of gay relationships. These particular Synod leaders and participants have also clearly stated that they are dissenters from Catholic teaching. Therefore, many good Catholic laymen, like myself, and good Catholic clergy, are concerned about this. If you stop and think clearly about this absurd and dishonest situation– you will plainly see, that it is very dumb to attack those like myself, who are concerned about such things. As a presumably Catholic adult– you, too, should be concerned.
I’m not throwing away my salvation.
Who is going to go into schism with you?
After looking online, I see a group that is offering to connect TLMers with priests who will do private Latin Masses for them.
So yeah, another group is jumping off the barque.
Also, don’t forget that Bishop Strickland came out in full support of Archbishop Vigano when he first started making his bombshell claims starting in August of 2018, and continuing with many media statements he’s made since then. I lost a significant amount of respect for Vigano in April of 2020 when he claimed that Pope Francis had “officially disavowed being the Vicar of Christ”. Ridiculous! How come Bishop Strickland didn’t comment on that? Make of that as you will, but it is remarkable that Mr. Kevin Wells does not mention that in his current CRISIS magazine article.
From the time he was first elected as Pope, Pooe Francus indicated that he was to be called the ” Bishop of Rome” and seemed uncomfortable with the title, “Vixar of Christ.” He had he title, “Vicar of Christ” removed from his titles at the Vatican, in their official yearbook, and finally put this title back in the “historical titles” section, causing much controversy.
Sorry, there are some typing errors in my comment of July 18 at 10:49pm.
So what?
So what? So, Pope Francis does not prefer the title, “Vicar of Christ,” and had this title placed in the back of his Vatican books, under “Historical Titles.” Other popes in the past, did similar things.
Time for prayer and silence.
Bishop Strickland should be very wary of people who would set him up as a de facto anti-Pope.
Don’t follow lay people.
More than the Synod on Synodality, we desperately need Pope Francis and all of his prelates and priests to obediently follow Canon Law, for love of Christ, and boldly tell all the Church, that Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, and all other Catholics like them, deep in mortal sin– may not receive Holy Communion, until they have properly repented, and have publicly renounced all their mortal sins, too, and have publicly embraced and promoted Catholic teachings, for all to see– including the Pope and everyone else. Next– let’s see a worldwide Catholic promotion of the holy Virtue of Chastity, and lots of prayers and devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, for that holy Virtue, worldwide. No more gay sex, no more fornication, adultery, pornography, human trafficking– and no more Baby Killing– Abortion.
Jesus Christ died so that sins could be forgiven.
The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ.
The Pharisees, scribes and elders were scandalized that Jesus ate with sinners.
If you ran the Church, Christ would tell you how he wants it done.
You are not the Head of the Church.
If you are a member, you should follow the Head.
No, always follow Jesus Christ. Even though you cannot see Him, He is the only one to follow. Some Catholic clerics are great Church leaders, dedicated to Christ– and some are the dangerous “wolves in sheep’s clothing”– imposters, rebellious against Christ. We must not mindlessly follow rebellious Church leaders, just because they happen to be the leaders. How many poor Catholics and their children looked up to and trusted the former Cardinal McCarrick– a dangerous clerical sex abuser? And poor Mother Angelica got so deeply hurt by Cdl. Roger Mahony.
Hail Mary…
I am assuming that the only Canon Law you know is 915.
We are doing a Synod. Too bad if you don’t like it.
Hopefully you participated and told them you did not like it.
Hopefully, you told them how you feel about the Pope and bishops and priests giving communion to those people you mentioned.
What Catholic has to publicly renounce their mortal sins?
Hopefully you have never committed one but if you are Catholic, you may have.
Prayers for purity and chastity are always good.
If you have lived chastity, tell people how.
I hope you have not participated in human trafficking. Not all of it is sexual, you know.
In the United States, traffickers compel victims to engage in commercial sex and to work in both legal and illicit industries and sectors, including in hospitality, traveling sales crews, agriculture, janitorial services, construction, landscaping, restaurants, factories, care for persons with disabilities, salon services, massage parlors, retail services, fairs and carnivals, peddling and begging, drug smuggling and distribution, religious institutions, child care, and domestic work (From State dept.)
You know the hand signal, right?
The weapon we have been given to change problems in the Church, the world, our families and ourselves is the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Men want to win by their own power.
We do not need email alerts, coalitions, conferences, protests or any other human means.
Pray the Rosary daily.
Bishop Strickland should understand that some people will change in order to be loved.
Most people can’t change even to win your love and if they do the change is not permanent.
Jesus says “Come to me.” He does not say “Stop sinning and then come to me.’
He says “come to me and I will refresh you.”
Everyone lusts. Everyone gets angry. Everyone is greedy (although not always for money.) Everyone is envious. Everyone is slothful sometimes. Everyone is gluttonous (probably the easiest one for some to control). Everyone is proud (the sin they have said dies 15 minutes after we do.)
Everything is a teachable moment.
Jesus said “One alone is your teacher. All the rest are learners.”
He can do better and I am glad to hear that he does a Holy Hour daily.
So did Bishop Stika who just resigned,
God bless them both.
Many today, are lazy and self-centered, and come to Mass and receive Holy Communion sacrilegiously– — like Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden– with no intention to repent of their sins and reform their lives. Many of their sins are horrible (like legally promoting Baby Killing– Abortion)– and this situation is very serious– and very, very dangerous.
Many today, are lazy and self-centered, and come to Mass and receive Holy Communion sacrilegiously– — like Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden– with no intention to repent of their sins and reform their lives. Many of their sins are horrible (like legally promoting Baby Killing– Abortion)– and this situation is very serious– and very, very dangerous.
This far, I have lived through the pontificates of seven popes. Each one is different. Pope St. John XXIII ordered Vatican II, and completely changed the Church– a great shock, to many. And this pope did away with most of what his last two predecessors accomplished. You never know what future pontificates might bring to the world. I won’t be around to see it, though. I am older than Bishop Strickland, older than most clerics of today, except Pope Francis.
He did not completely change the Church.
About the 500,000 Germans who have left the Church. He assumes that they are leaving the Church because they don’t like the German Synodal Way or progressivism.
That probably is not why.
They are not necessarily even people who were going to Mass.
The Church tax situation in Germany, where if you are baptized Catholic, you have to pay an additional 8-9% of your income, even if you are not going to Church or even believe anymore, adds a complication.
Germany’s Church has a sexual abuse problem, too.
And 30% of Germans are nones.
https://www.ncregister.com/news/why-half-a-million-germans-left-the-catholic-church-in-2022-and-what-it-means