The US Conference of Catholic Bishops was briefly unsettled this week when Bishop Joseph Strickland intervened against Fr James Martin over a recent confirmation liturgy involving an openly “married” homosexual couple.
The exchange occurred during the Committee on Doctrine’s consideration of Action Item #03, which concerns updated Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.
Bishop Strickland spoke briefly and drew attention to images widely circulated online of a recent liturgy involving a well-known American broadcaster. “Since we’re in the area of doctrine,” he said, “I don’t know how many of us have seen on social media, priests and others gathered celebrating the confirmation of a man living with a man openly. And it just needs to be addressed.”
Bishop Strickland continued, stating, “Father James Martin once again involved. Great pictures of all of them smiling. Here we are talking about doctrine. I just thought I need to raise that issue. I know it’s not part of any agenda, but this body gathered, we need to address it. Thank you.”
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His intervention referred to the reception of ABC News anchor Gio Benitez into the Church on 8 November. Benitez, who is in a civil same-sex marriage, was confirmed during a Mass at which his “husband” acted as his sponsor. Both received Holy Communion. The liturgy was concelebrated by Fr James Martin SJ, whom Benitez publicly praised for guiding him into the Catholic faith.
Despite the clarity of Strickland’s appeal, the panel did not reply, and the session moved on without addressing the matter. Michael Haynes, regular contributor for the Catholic Herald, noted the silence and the “no response from the panel”, particularly given the doctrinal nature of the meeting.
The Catholic Church teaches that all people must be treated with respect, while also maintaining that sexual relations belong exclusively within marriage between a man and a woman. It holds that the reception of Holy Communion requires a state of grace, and that situations of publicly recognised same-sex unions raise serious pastoral and doctrinal concerns.
Bishop Joseph Strickland served as Bishop of Tyler, Texas, from 2012 until 2023 and became one of the most recognisable conservative voices in the American hierarchy. Born in 1958 and ordained in 1985, he held a series of pastoral and administrative roles in the diocese before being appointed bishop by Pope Benedict XVI. His tenure was marked by a reputation for directness, a strong emphasis on Eucharistic devotion, and a willingness to challenge trends in the wider Church that he believed risked undermining the clarity of Catholic teaching. He also became known for his criticism of Pope Francis, accusing him in 2023 of having a "program of undermining the Deposit of Faith".
Bishop Strickland was removed from the Diocese of Tyler by Pope Francis in November 2023 following an apostolic visitation ordered earlier that year to assess governance concerns within the diocese. The inquiry, conducted by two senior bishops, examined administrative practices, diocesan finances, and the overall state of pastoral leadership. The Vatican did not issue a detailed public explanation, in keeping with its usual practice, but the decision marked one of the most high-profile episcopal removals in the United States in recent decades.
Related: EXCLUSIVE Bishop Strickland: on Pope Leo XIV, the Latin Mass and Archbishop Lefebvre
