Bishop Strickland’s Statement on the Appointment of Cardinal McElroy to Washington, D.C.

David Martin | The Daily Knight

Bishop Joseph E. Strickland has issued an outstanding statement on the appointment of Cardinal Robert McElroy to Washington DC, “a decision that raises serious moral and pastoral questions” (Bishop Strickland). His statement is truly the work of a pastor, not a hireling.

Cardinal McElroy has a long-standing reputation of promoting homosexuality in the Church and has been a close collaborator of notorious sex predators like Cardinal Cupich and ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

But much of this comes back to Pope Francis. The charge that he is a youth predator is true for the simple reason that he blesses LGBT living and habitually appoints notorious homosexuals to the highest and most influential positions of the Church. The point being that LGBT is what is spawning all the abuse in the Church. Even if a pro-LGBT prelate doesn't personally behave this way, he's causing others to do so. There are drug users and there are drug pushers; the pushers are worse. 

Today's Vatican is pushing homosexuality on the clergy who in turn sexually abuse young men because of it. Homosexuality is to blame, yet the United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) refuses to admit this. Instead, they continue promoting LGBT while pretending to be against sexual abuse.

The dioceses across America pay big money for these large color posters that say, "Let's protect our Catholic youth, let's report sex predators," while these same posters are draped in rainbow colors and avidly promote the upcoming 2025 Jubilee in Rome that will feature an infamous homosexual event at the end. This LGBT gathering in fact will be the highlight of the whole Jubilee. Even the Jubilee posters being promoted in our parishes are donned with rainbow colors.

Hopefully, Bishop Strickland will bring this point up in his upcoming March 19 talk at Mar-a-Lago. People need to hear this. The blame needs to be placed squarely where it belongs -- on homosexuality.

Without further ado, we proceed with Bishop Strickland’s address on Cardinal McElroy.

Bishops Strickland’s Statement on Cardinal McElroy

As shepherds of Christ’s flock, bishops are called to be vigilant in safeguarding the integrity of the Church and the souls entrusted to our care. It is with deep concern and a profound sense of duty that I address the appointment of Cardinal Robert McElroy to Washington, D.C., a decision that raises serious moral and pastoral questions.

The grave scandals of abuse and their cover-up have wounded the Body of Christ, and trust in the hierarchy has been deeply shaken. The faithful have the right to demand accountability, transparency, and leadership rooted in truth and justice. The placement of any prelate with a history of failing in these areas—particularly in one of the most influential sees in the country—risks furthering the erosion of trust at a time when the Church desperately needs to heal and to stand firm in her witness to Christ.

The faithful deserve shepherds who will lead with unwavering commitment to the teachings of Christ, defending the innocent, upholding the sacred deposit of faith, and refusing to bow to political pressures that contradict the Gospel. Any bishop or cardinal who has enabled abuse, minimized its severity, or failed to act decisively to protect victims must be held accountable—not elevated to positions of greater authority.

I call upon the Holy See to reconsider this appointment in light of the grave responsibilities entrusted to those who serve in apostolic succession. I also urge my brother bishops to stand firm in the defense of truth, regardless of the cost. We must not remain silent when justice and the good of souls are at stake.

Let us pray for the purification of the Church, for the victims of abuse and their healing, and for true shepherds who will lead with holiness and courage.

Bishop Joseph E. Strickland,

Bishop Emeritus