What If? "Heretical Candidates, Rigged Conclave, Invalid Anti-Pope"
Monsignor Strickland has consistently argued that Francis is a valid pope. He wants to "raise concerns before the next conclave," citing the possibility of "heretical candidates and/or pressure from outside influences."
He understands that he has no personal authority to declare a [future] pope invalid: "If a pope were elected under questionable circumstances, it could cause great division and scandal within the Church."
In addition, the bishop criticizes that Francis demands silence "and that no questions are allowed, and in fact if they are asked, none are answered".
"It seems that silence is not only the response of this papacy, but also the response demanded of every priest, bishop, and cardinal who would seek to defend the Deposit of Faith when ambiguities are brought forth from Rome", Monsignor Strickland writes.
His removal as Bishop of Tyler is an example of what happens when "this admonition to remain silent is not heeded".
But "in a crisis, silence is not neutrality - it often enables the very errors that threaten the faith."
Conclusion: "Historically, the Church has always debated theological issues - sometimes vigorously - but this papacy seems to demand silence and submission without discussion."
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