I hope people who think Bishop Strickland is a sedevacantist read your article. Anyone who has spent more than five minutes with Bishop Strickland knows he has no “cult of personality”. Anyone who follows his social media knows he never comments. And if you e ever asked him about it, you know he never *reads* anyone’s comments. I thought his responses to your questions were well-reasoned and clear.

Honest folks know he wasn’t asked to resign because of the letter he read in Rome. They also know he doesn’t deny the authority of the Pope qua Pope.

He executed his duties as Bishop of the Church of Tyler as he thought he should. Leaving the reasons for his removal unstated has left room for much speculation, and by extension much calumny and detraction (both serious sins). Rumors become fact. So now he was dismissed because of financial or administrative issues. Or because he violated the canon about inducing hatred of the pontiff. Or because he disobeyed tradiciones custodes. Or because the Catholic high school was mismanaged. Or because he denied Pope Francis being the true pope. Or because he’s a rad trad (he isn’t). Or fill in one’s favorite

And how is that fair? Or just?

If anyone states they know why he was removed from his diocese…they are being dishonest. The Pope knows. And he ain’t talkin’.