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♗ Why Pope Francis Removed A Conservative East Texas Bishop 🔌


Weekend Plug-in 🔌


Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com.

(ANALYSIS) Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers!

Jewish groups rallied in Washington, D.C., in a vast show of solidarity for Israel, the New York Times’ Campbell Robertson, Michael Wines and Zach Montague report.

In Finland, a member of Parliament and a Lutheran bishop who said homosexuality is a sin won a free speech victory, Christianity Today’s Daniel Silliman writes.

This is our weekly roundup of the top headlines and best reads in the world of faith. We start with Pope Francis’ removal of a conservative East Texas bishop.

What To Know: The Big Story

‘Saddened … but at peace’: News broke Saturday that Pope Francis had fired Bishop Joseph Strickland, “one of the pope’s most vocal critics in the U.S. hierarchy,” according to the Wall Street Journal’s Francis X. Rocca:

The Vatican said that the pope had “relieved [the bishop] of the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Tyler,” Texas, and appointed Bishop Joe Vázquez of Austin as “apostolic administrator,” or acting bishop, of Tyler.

“I’m saddened for the harm to the faithful but at peace in His Truth, stay Jesus Strong,” Strickland wrote via email on Saturday, in response to a request for comment. Asked about his plans, he replied: “Just praying for now.”

The conservative bishop’s departure comes after Francis complained this summer of a “very strong reactionary attitude” among elements of the Catholic Church in the U.S.

In May, the bishop wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that “Pope Francis is the Pope but it is time for me to say that I reject his program of undermining the Deposit of Faith,” or the body of Catholic Church teaching contained in the Bible and tradition.

The National Catholic Reporter’s Brian Fraga delves deeper into the axing of the “firebrand prelate” and “darling of right-wing Twitter.”

‘A bishop without a diocese’: Strickland showed up this week in Baltimore, site of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual gathering.

The Associated Press’ Tiffany Stanley and Peter Smith report from Baltimore:

Soon after U.S. bishops inside a Baltimore hotel approved materials on how Catholics should vote in 2024 elections, their recently ousted colleague and dozens of his supporters rallied outside the annual fall business meeting.

Bishop Joseph Strickland … prayed the rosary with dozens of supporters along the waterfront.

Stickland “expressed bemusement about his situation and his future,” according to Religion News Service’s Jack Jenkins:

“I really don’t know,” he said. “My next step, after this week: I’m going to Thanksgiving dinner at my sister’s house — that’s all I know.”

He added: “I’m a bishop without a diocese, which is a strange place to be. But that’s where I am.”

Read more coverage from the New York Times’ Ruth Graham.

What it means: The bishop’s removal “signals different crises facing Catholicism,” theologians told the Dallas Morning News’ Joy Ashford.

A “group called Knights of the Republic, whose members agree with Strickland's criticism of Pope Francis and the church's positions on abortion, same-sex marriage and celebrating Latin Mass” plans a march in Tyler on Saturday, the Houston Chronicle’s Eric Killelea reports.

Power Up: The Week’s Best Reads

1. The law that changed religious freedom: “Thirty years ago, Democrats, Republicans and a wide variety of religious groups banded together to boost religious freedom protections.”

The Deseret News’ Kelsey Dallas explores how the Religious Freedom Restoration Act has — and has not — met expectations.

2. Praying for hostages: “Roughly 300 Israelis gathered in New York City at the grave of a Jewish leader known as the Rebbe. For some, it was a mission, for others, a pilgrimage.”

The New York Times’ Sarah Maslin Nir reports.

3. Faith and football: “C.J. Stroud has been answering the prayers of Texans fans lately, leading the hometown team to back-to-back, game-winning drives, and earning praise as a possible candidate for NFL Most Valuable Player. All the while, the 22-year-old rookie quarterback and the son of a former pastor is using his newfound fame to share his religious beliefs with a national audience.”

The Houston Chronicle’s new religion reporter, Eric Killelea, explores the star player’s faith.

More Top Reads

A pastor indicted with former President Donald Trump in Georgia is asking evangelical supporters for help, the New York Times’ Richard Fausset reports. … Nicaragua’s exiled clergy and faithful in Miami keep up the struggle for human rights at Mass, The Associated Press’ Giovanna Dell’Orto explains. … As a DJ, a village priest in Portugal cues up faith and electronic dance music for global youth, AP’s Dell’Orto writes. … Bestselling spiritual author Marianne Williamson presses on with against-the-odds presidential run, AP’s Luis Henao Andres details.“Grinch-burg’ no more”: A Wisconsin city drops a Christmas decoration ban for municipal staff, the Washington Times’ Mark A. Kellner updates. … And “A Town Called Victoria” shows how a 2017 mosque arson rocked a tight-knit Texas community, the Los Angeles Times’ Maira Garcia explains.

Inside The Godbeat

Best wishes to Katherine Burgess, who has covered religion for the Memphis Commercial Appeal and formerly for the Wichita Eagle, as she starts a new gig.

Condolences to family and friends of Helen Gray, who served as religion editor of the Kansas City Star for 42 years. She died at age 81.

Charging Station: ICYMI

Here is where you can catch up on recent news and opinions from ReligionUnplugged.com.

Jillian Cheney highlights “Beauty during wartime: Ukrainian artists display resilience and faith.”

Meanwhile, Muslim critic and outspoken atheist Ayaan Hirsi Ali has converted to Christianity, Clemente Lisi reports.

The Final Plug

Power blackouts. Food and medicine shortages. Long lines for fuel.

It’s a tough time for Cuba.

I traveled to the port city of Matanzas and wrote about a minister and musician who is working to share the bread of life with people who often don’t have bread.

A quick programming note: Plug-in won’t publish the next two weeks as I celebrate Thanksgiving and then head on an international reporting trip. I look forward to seeing you back in this same space in three weeks.

Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy the weekend.

Bobby Ross Jr. writes the Weekend Plug-in column for ReligionUnplugged.com and serves as editor-in-chief of The Christian Chronicle. A former religion writer for The Associated Press and The Oklahoman, Ross has reported from all 50 states and 18 nations. He has covered religion since 1999.