HENDERSON, Texas — On Saturday, Pope Francis officially removed Bishop Joseph Strickland from his administrative position over the Diocese of Tyler. Since the announcement, many Catholics in East Texas and around the world have been vocal on social media about their support.
Vicki Murillo, who attends Saint Jude's Catholic Church in Henderson (which is under the Diocese of Tyler), said she is still upset about the decision.
"Many of us feel it's kind of like a divorce," Murillo said. "We love them both. Our faith is based on what we're being taught and they're our shepherd so it is very sad."
Murillo said Strickland’s commitment to East Texas has been unforgettable because of how he’s taken the time to learn another language to reach the faith’s Spanish-speaking community.
"He tried to make it all inclusive," Murillo said. "Where everyone from our church could come, and if you spoke Spanish you were able to understand mass. If you spoke English, you were able to understand mass when he was here."
CBS19 has reached out to Strickland for comment and we have not heard back. However, he recently spoke out in an interview with another publication. The website has given us permission to use excerpts from Strickland.
"I couldn't resign," Strickland said. "I couldn't on my will abandon the flock that I've been given. But now that an authority, Pope Francis, has the authority to remove me as bishop and he's chosen to do. So I have to respect that."
Strickland was questioned on why his removal from office is a focus when "there are other issues within the Catholic administration."
"The only answer I have to that is because forces in the church right now don't want the truth of the gospel, they want it changed, they want it ignored," Strickland said.
Even though followers want to respect the pope, those who support Strickland, like Natalia Urquiza, want to continue voicing their support for him.
"Well everybody who knows him please support him," Urquiza said. "Do not forget about him and remember that he’s always been there for us. Don’t forget that he is in need of your prayers today."
Murillo has been reading her Bible for guidance and said she respects the decision, but she wishes for more clarity as she feels left in the dark about what’s going on with the diocese.
"Even if he's no longer a bishop we're always going to see him as that," Murillo said. "My hopes are just that the new leader or bishop that we get is involved and tries to make himself as available as Bishop Strickland did for all of our different churches here in this community."