Bishop Joseph E. Strickland has criticized the Democratic Party's pro-abortion stance, calling the act of ending unborn lives “diabolical.”
Strickland, a conservative who was removed from his position as head of the diocese of Tyler, Texas, by Pope Francis in 2023, reacted this week to a post on X (formerly Twitter) that highlighted a congressional vote where every Democrat supported the right to terminate pregnancies up to 34 weeks for any reason.
In response, Bishop Strickland stated, “Yes, it is murder—plain, simple, and diabolical. We must keep speaking out against so-called ‘public servants’ who actively promote the murder of the most vulnerable members of society.”
He added, “Voting for them makes you complicit in murder.”
Bishop Strickland has been firm in his pro-life stance, emphasizing that the 2020 presidential election was fundamentally about moral truths, with the sanctity of life being paramount. He declared, “GET OVER IT… this election is about the Sanctity of Life, true marriage between a man & a woman, supporting the nuclear family, and sexual morality based on biblical truth.” He argued that all other issues hinge on this moral foundation and urged his followers to support the party that aligns with these “MORAL TRUTHS.”
In a related stance, Strickland had previously supported Bishop Thomas Daly of Spokane, WA, who refused to give Holy Communion to Catholic politicians backing pro-abortion legislation. Responding to an article on Daly’s stance, Strickland praised him, stating, “Thank you, Bishop Daly, for standing strong.” He warned that when innocent unborn children are not safe, it reflects a broader disregard for the value of life and contributes to societal violence.
Strickland later elaborated on his support for Daly, emphasizing the importance of addressing non-negotiable life issues and focusing on the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death.
The U.S. Catholic bishops have reaffirmed that abortion is the "preeminent" political issue of our time. In their teaching document, *Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship*, they describe abortion as a “prime example” of an “intrinsically evil” action—one that is fundamentally incompatible with love of God and neighbor. The bishops highlight that “abortion and euthanasia have become preeminent threats to human dignity” as they directly attack life itself, which they see as the most fundamental human good.
Following Pope Francis's removal of Bishop Strickland from his diocese last year, the conservative Catholic site Silere non possum claimed that Strickland’s ouster was “the price he paid for telling the truth.” The site argued that Strickland was targeted for his staunch opposition to the “Synodal system” promoted by Pope Francis, which aims to reform Church structures in favor of more consultative bodies. Critics of this system argue that it is ambiguous and susceptible to manipulation.
While Pope Francis has expressed support for freedom of speech and welcomes criticism, Silere non possum contends that in practice, the reality is different. The article suggests that “freedom of speech” under the current papal governance is not genuinely upheld, pointing to a pattern of punitive actions against conservative prelates who challenge the Pope’s reforms.