In a long-awaited announcement, Pope Francis has appointed Bishop John Gregory Kelly as the new bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, Texas, following the removal of Bishop Joseph Strickland over a year ago. According to Life Site News, the appointment, confirmed today via the Holy See’s daily press bulletin, marks a significant moment for the diocese, which has been under the temporary leadership of Bishop Joe Vásquez, the Bishop of Austin, since Strickland’s removal in November 2023.
Bishop Kelly, who has served as an auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Dallas since 2016, was appointed by Pope Francis as a bishop in 2015. His pastoral experience, which spans several decades, includes his ordination in 1982 and his service as both a priest and a bishop in Texas. Now, he is entrusted with the spiritual leadership of the Diocese of Tyler, a role that has been vacant since Strickland’s sudden removal.
The Vatican’s announcement in November 2023 revealed that Pope Francis had “relieved from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Tyler H.E. Msgr. Joseph E. Strickland” and appointed Bishop Joe Vásquez as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese. This decision came after the diocese had been under scrutiny, with Strickland’s leadership being the subject of an apostolic visitation earlier that year.
Bishop Strickland, who had led the Diocese of Tyler since 2012, had gained both admiration and controversy for his vocal defense of traditional Catholic teachings. In a July 2023 interview on The Bishop Strickland Hour, he likened his apostolic visitation to “being called to the principal’s office,” suggesting that it was a consequence of his unwavering commitment to Catholic doctrine. He said:
“No, it’s not something that I would volunteer for, to go through an apostolic visitation. Because it kind of puts a shadow over the diocese, [and] a lot of people are convinced that there’s something really wrong. But I think that I went through this because I’ve been bold enough and love the Lord enough and His Church to simply keep preaching the truth.”
While the details of the apostolic visitation were not made public, it is known that two retired bishops, Bishop Dennis Sullivan of Camden, New Jersey, and Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona, conducted the visitation. Kicanas, however, had a controversial past that raised concerns among some Catholics, particularly regarding his stance on abortion and homosexuality. In 2012, he defended Catholic Relief Services’ funding of pro-abortion organizations and had been endorsed by a homosexual advocacy group during his bid to become president of the U.S. bishops’ conference.
Bishop Strickland, 66, had gained widespread support among Catholics, particularly for his steadfast advocacy for the Church’s teachings on issues such as marriage, family, and the sanctity of life. His removal by Pope Francis, one of the most outspoken bishops in the United States, has been viewed as a significant and divisive decision, leading to both disappointment and concern among his supporters.
In the interim, Bishop Vásquez, who has been overseeing the Diocese of Tyler as apostolic administrator, will continue to provide pastoral care for the faithful until Bishop Kelly assumes his new role.
As the Diocese of Tyler enters this new chapter under Bishop Kelly’s leadership, the faithful are encouraged to pray for his guidance and strength in shepherding the flock entrusted to his care.
