Pope Francis Calls for “Everyone” to be Allowed In as He Removes Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas from Office

Pope Francis opened a meeting on the future of the Catholic Church on Saturday with a call for “everyone” to be allowed in. In a related move, Francis also removed Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, a conservative prelate active on social media who has been a fierce critic of the pontiff and has come to symbolize the polarization within the U.S. Catholic hierarchy.

The Vatican released a one-line statement saying that Francis had “relieved” Strickland of the pastoral governance of Tyler and appointed the bishop of Austin as the temporary administrator. Strickland, 65, has been a vocal critic of Francis, accusing him in a tweet earlier this year of “undermining the deposit of faith.”

The meeting on the future of the Catholic Church is seen as a key moment in the pontiff’s papacy, as he seeks to create a more inclusive church. In his opening remarks, Francis said that “everyone” must be allowed in, regardless of their beliefs or background.

The removal of Strickland is seen as a sign of Francis’ commitment to creating a more open and inclusive church. It is also seen as a sign that Francis is willing to take decisive action against those who oppose his vision for the church.

The meeting on the future of the Catholic Church is expected to last several days and will involve discussions on a wide range of topics, including the role of women in the church, the role of the laity, and the role of the clergy. It is hoped that the meeting will help to create a more unified and inclusive church.