One Catholic bishop, appalled by the gruesome spectacle of New York legislators cheering the passage of a new law that permits aborting babies right up to the moment of birth, issued one of the most fiery and uncompromising tweets in the history of Twitter, blasting, “The video of the ‘celebration’ of New York legislators as they condemned even full term unborn children to Death by Choice is a scene from Hell. Woe to those who ignore the sanctity of life, they reap the whirlwind of Hell. Stand against this holocaust in every way you can.”
Bishop Joseph Edward Strickland is the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tyler, Texas. He is not shy about engaging in the swirl of politics; just before the 2012 election, he wrote an op-ed in the Tyler Morning Telegraph stating, “The fundamental truths that once were and still should be the bedrock of our society are being challenged daily. I believe the election on Nov. 6 brings a great task to all of us as people of faith to soberly reflect on what we believe and how those beliefs should be embodied in our laws and supported by our leaders.”
After an eleven-page statement was published by Archbishop Viganò, former Nuncio to the United States, accusing several senior prelates of the Catholic Church of complicity in covering up Archbishop Theodore McCarrick’s alleged history of sexual abuse, and also stating that Pope Francis knew about sanctions imposed on Cardinal McCarrick by Pope Benedict XVI but wouldn’t repeal them, Strickland wrote:
A letter by Archbishop Viganò, former Nuncio to the United States, raises grave allegations and calls for the resignation of numerous high ranking prelates including Pope Francis. Let us be clear that they are still allegations, but as your shepherd I find them to be credible. Using this standard the response must be a thorough investigation, similar to those conducted any time allegations are deemed to be credible. I do not have the authority to launch such an investigation but I will lend my voice in whatever way necessary to call for this investigation and urge that it’s findings demand accountability of all found to be culpable even at the highest levels of the Church.
In November, speaking with the Catholic News Agency (CNA), Strickland again displayed his unrelenting drive to save not only the Catholic Church, but the souls of all within it. CNA reported:
Strickland said he believes the issues regarding McCarrick, Vigano, and the lack of any real investigation into either can be traced to what he describes as a drifting away from the main job of a bishop: a need to promote the salvation of souls. “We need to worry about the salvation of Theodore McCarrick’s soul, as bishops,” he said. “We need to be focused on the salvation of the victims and the abusers. That, to me, is the core issue.”
Srtrickland added that he could not “just sit in a corner and go and pray” during times of controversy and upheaval, adding, “I’m a shepherd. I’ve got sheep. And sheep are bleeding, and getting slaughtered, and wolves are attacking. We can’t be worried about what color we’re going to paint the barn … Deal with the most important (things) first, then get others to figure out the barn.”