Bishop Strickland Responds

The Church Militant interviewed Bishop Strickland and posted the video on YouTube on 11/14/2023. The link is given at the bottom of this article so the reader can view it for themself.

But first...please read this summary of important points in the video, in order to be prepared for what is in the video.

The bishop says he remains joyful and with Lord. (It is obvious in the video)

The Blessed Mother has called us to pray and that is my (Bishop Strickland's) mission these days, to pray.

Pray for the Pope, cardinals and bishops that we can all be healed and united in Christ.

The world is troubled. We have conversations that are divisive and have issues, but people are dying.

We need the truth, but clarity and charity must guide the truth that we speak.

I am passionate about Jesus and just spent an hour in Eucharistic adoration. He is truly present in the Eucharist and Catholics need to believe this.

We have to call people to turn to Jesus and break this culture of death in the world.

Catholics need to embrace their faith more deeply.

We cannot lose the thread of joy and hope that the Savior of the world gave us. Cling to joy and trust Jesus.

The Church has a 2,000-year history. How arrogant for us to think in our lifetime we can reverse everything and change what was truth for 2,000 years. We have to hang on, to cling to Jesus and ride this storm out. This is a storm for both the Church and the world.

The bishop does not view the Church in any different light after the incident. The closer we are to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the closer we are to the mystical body of the Church.

Yes, the Church is in a troubled time; but we need to read history and see there is nothing unique about troubled times. There are unique elements in our time, but there were always unique elements.

We will face God for eternity and need to be as prepared as we can.

He says my secret to facing unjust realities is spending time in Eucharistic adoration and the rosary. My strength is knowing that Jesus died for us.

We are all broken and sinful people and that is what makes up the Church of Christ.

My prayer is people do not say, “I am done with the Catholic Church, too much turmoil”.

My prayer is do the opposite, “Grow closer to His Sacred Heart, spend more time with Him in the Eucharist and Confession”.

I have to remember that I am not worthy, but Christ brings His worthiness to us, if we only grasp it.

Conclusion

The bishop who was treated unjustly never spoke out against his accuser (exactly as our Lord before the Sanhedrin). He remains upbeat and joyful about Christ’s Church. He is mainly concerned for souls. He calls upon all Catholics to deepen their faith, go to Eucharistic Adoration, go to Confession and pray the rosary. What a great witness and Christian response!

Final Thought

To those who support Bishop Strickland...follow his model, the model of Christ. Lets stop speaking and writing articles and comments that are judgmental and accusatory against the Pope, certain bishops and certain types of sin. This is not how the bishop responded. Let us stop making this a Bishop Strickland versus the Pope conflict. This is not how the bishop sees it. There are no sides, only Jesus. Be realistic about the Church and Church history. There have always been storms. Whatever anybody thinks of the current Pope, he has not yet been confirmed as a heretic by the Church (some Popes have been!). Lets not be his judge. Pray even more for the Church, the Pope and the conversion of sinners. Receive the Sacraments even more. Go to daily Mass and offer it up, if possible. This should be our only response.

Each one of us will be accountable to the Father for every word we speak and write (see my article Be Careful What You Say). Let us not accuse and demean others at the risk of our own soul. For daily we pray, “Forgive us [me] our [my] trespasses as we [I] forgive…” Do we honestly believe we can speak ill of and not forbear the Pope, all bishops, and all sinners (including LGBT+, pro choice, drunkenness, porn, adultery...for all of these are mortal sins, not just the first one), yet the Father will forgive us anyway? “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Solid Christian responses, focused only on Jesus, to this and any incidents in the Church or our own life can lead to the conversion of sinners and God's blessing. Improper responses only divide and give non-believers an excuse to say the Way of Jesus does no good. Let us build, not tear down. Amen?