Bishop Strickland: Leo XIV Continues Francis' Course
With today's appointment of Rev. Thomas Hennen as Bishop of Baker, Oregon, Leo XIV strengthens the course set by Pope Francis instead of correcting it. This was written by Bishop Emeritus Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, on X.com.
Monsignor Strickland notices on Rev. Hennen that he "was intimately involved in drafting pastoral guidelines that blur the clear lines of Catholic teaching on sexuality and gender."
His work for an "LGBTQ+ directive" (text below) in his diocese Davenport echoes "the rhetorical strategies of gender ideology, undermining Catholic clarity and weakening the call to chastity".
Bishop Strickland adds: "This doctrinal smokescreen is the hallmark of the Lavender Mafia – a clandestine network within the Church hierarchy that protects and advances a homosexual ideology while masquerading under the banner of compassion."
He observes that this homosexual network "gained unprecedented influence during the Francis era: from the explicit approval of same-sex blessings to episcopal cover-ups."
And, "Its tentacles now reach into the Leo XIV papacy, and Rev. Hennen’s appointment is proof."
Pope Francis green-lighted the "blessings" of homosexual concubines, and Pope Leo XIV compounds this rupture, the bishop writes: "No more blessings without conversion. No more ambiguity. No more Lavender Mafia!"
The formation of the Lavender Mafia: Describing the formation of homosexual cliques of clergy Fr. Oko says: They know well, however, that they may be exposed and embarrassed, so they shield one another by offering mutual support. They build informal relationships reminding of a clique or even mafia, aim at holding particularly those positions which offer power and money. When they achieve a decision-making position, they try to promote and advance mostly those whose nature is similar to theirs, or at least who are known to be too weak to oppose them. Fr. Oko said, "Just like in the military, in the police, in the art world, once a person with homosexual tendencies gets into power, usually their subordinates are also homosexuals, therefore they start creating a pyramid, and the same thing is happening in the Church with these bishops who knowingly nominate people with the same tendencies."
Bishop Strickland : "faithful Catholics have expressed concern over my recent comments regarding Pope Leo XIV’s appointment of Fr. Thomas Hennen as Bishop-elect of Baker. I write now not to backtrack, but to clarify and deepen what must be said – for the sake of the flock and for the integrity of the Church. A bishop is a shepherd, yes – but also a watchman. And if the watchman sounds the alarm only once the wolves are already among the sheep, many souls will be devoured. The shepherd’s call must go out when the wolves are still circling – even when they wear friendly faces or familiar collars. In light of Pope Leo XIV’s recent episcopal appointments, including Fr. Hennen’s, the wolves are indeed circling. And it is no slander to say so – it is a sober warning based on what is plainly evident. Regarding Fr. Hennen, he was noted to have been a key contributor to the Diocese of Davenport’s 2023 Guidelines for Pastoral Accompaniment of Sexual and Gender Minorities, a document that appears to speak more about “inclusion” and “listening” than about conversion, repentance, or truth. Much of the language in this document, as well as statements attributed to Fr. Hennen, would seem to imply that it is the Church’s perennial teaching itself that is the source of harm – a dangerous suggestion. Also, the document frames the false anthropology behind gender ideology, rather than upholding the truth that God made them “male and female” (Genesis 1:27). What is especially significant is that New Ways Ministry, an organization that departs from the moral teachings of the Church, praised the Davenport guidelines that Fr. Hennen helped craft, labeling them a milestone for LGBTQ+ pastoral care. Therefore, as I highlighted, “those who support these approaches” would see this appointment as a sign of continuity with Francis-era pastoral blurring. It has been stated that Fr. Hennen has worked with Courage International, which faithfully helps men and women with same-sex attraction live chastely. That is commendable, but his involvement with the Davenport document and his lack of clear opposition to those who distort Church teaching is worrisome. To those who think I spoke out of turn, I would encourage you to ask this question: Why would Pope Leo appoint a bishop whose record is openly celebrated by those who reject the Church’s moral teachings? It is especially significant at this time, when the faithful are looking for signs that past wrongs will be made right. We must remember what came before – Pope Francis’s era of confusion – where blessing same-sex unions was approved under the banner of Fiducia Supplicans, where doctrinal clarity was sacrificedfor “pastoral flexibility,” and where the Lavender Mafia grew bolder under his protection. We cannot wait until every appointment is compromised or every diocese is confused. We must speak now – when the pattern is still forming. We must resist this creeping corruption while the door is still ajar – not after it has been shut behind us. The Church belongs to Jesus Christ, not to networks of influence or the spirit of the age. And every bishop must one day answer to Christ the Judge for whether he warned the sheep or stayed silent. I do not write this to sow division, but to speak truth in love. The people of God deserve shepherds who are both merciful and courageous – who love the sinner but never affirm the sin. When the wolves circle, the watchman must cry out. Let me conclude by saying that I am praying for Fr. Hennen that he may remain steadfast on the plumb line of God’s truth and shepherd the faithful with integrity. I urge all the faithful to join with me, and to also join me in praying for our Holy Father, that he may lead with clarity, courage, and fidelity to the Gospel of Christ. +Bishop Joseph E. Strickland Bishop Emeritus of Tyler"
Someone does not understand the geography of Oregon and the concept (probably never to be realized) of "West Idaho." Father Hennen's East-coast fantasies will not likely be welcome there.
Interesting comment as I have become very well acquainted with the PNW since moving here in 2001! I hope your comment is true! I hope that our fellow countrymen would respectfully resist a progressive prelate, as always has been accomplished in the past by law abiding Catholics, if he ever came here preaching un-Catholic sermons!!
J23 was the pope of rupture. All the other recent popes followed in line, each giving up more of the Roman Catholic Faith then the last. If you do not see the continuity of rupture you are blind.
Leonardo Boff: "This is the Pope (Bergoglio) of the rupture" According to the heretical Boff, Bergoglio is the “Pope of the rupture”: “They (John Paul II and Benedict XVI) believed that the Church should have continuity, so the Second Vatican Council could not mean a rupture with the first. But now there is a rupture, the figure of the Pope is no longer the classic, it is another. Francis did not begin with the reform of the curia, he began with the reform of the papacy.”
Bergoglio is that little horn that forms the satanic apocalyptic anti-church. The Argentinean Newspaper Clarín reported: The Jesuits have a special vow of obedience wanted by St. Ignatius to "obey as corpses" to the will of the Pope. But Benedict distrusts them and ten days ago sent them a letter telling them that the order must confirm their own obedience to the Church. The areas in which the pontiff shows his greatest fears and calls rigid obedience refer to “the relationship between Christ and religions, some aspects of liberation theology and various points of sexual morality, especially as regards the indissolubility of marriage and the pastoral care of homosexual persons.” Apparently the universities, colleges and Jesuit environments in the world are not in tune with the traditionalist Orthodoxy of the Vatican and Pope Ratzinger, especially on these issues.
Pope Benedict XVI called on the Jesuit order to recant its heresies on the indissolubility of marriage and homosexuality. Therefore, Bergoglio was even schismatic against Benedict XVI.
@la verdad prevalece It is obvious Francis continued the modernist revolution JP2 and B16 were promoting. This fact should as plain as the nose on your face. They were all modernists and each one moved the Overton window, always toward perversion of the Catholic Faith.
@Jeffrey Ade The same dissident apostate priest, Leonardo Boff, explained why Bergoglio had distanced himself so much from John Paul II and Pope Benedict. And if you look at the Study of Diocesan Priests, you can see how Bergoglio contradicts all the popes, including the post-Vatican II popes, to refute those who think the Church was born at Vatican II. Vigano has explained very well: Vatican II must be rejected and abrogated because it contains grave heresies contrary to Catholic doctrine, and although they have paved the way for Bergoglio's apostasy, Bergoglio has delivered the final blow by completely separating himself from the Church.
@la verdad prevalece Poppycock! B16, JP2, JP1, P6, J23 promoted the modernist V2 sect 100%. It goes against Catholic reason to imagine Francis started a new church when he just continued what B16 already started. And your comment that B16 and JP2 were "hated by the modernist" is insensible since they were both hardcore modernists themselves. This is clearly a form of Marxist dilectic using fake left right paradigm. Fake conservative popes vs obvious liberal popes.
Thank you for your comment, @Mike the Pike ! What if I told you JP2 was a communist/Bolshevik revolutionary agent and proved it using the words of his Grace, Archbishop Lefebvre? I would simply point out the good Archbishop's observation and let you connect the dots. I have studied JP2 for a while now and his is a very interesting pontificate in relation to the modern changes in the Soviet structure and the media's interpretation of these events. Are you familiar with Pope Pius the XI's encyclical on atheistic communism? Maybe you would consider checking out my posts as I take it very seriously the Catholic Church's position on Bolshevism/Communism and the "errors of Russia," And have posted quite a bit on it lately. God bless you!
Thanks for the offer @Jeffrey Ade. I've given up on politics. My current understanding is that my home country the US is just a shell of its former self. I am ashamed and disappointed. The US is just another tyranny; maybe not as advanced as UK, or Russia, or China. Nonetheless, the US is a police state. There is an old Soviet phrase: it could be worse. That now applies to my country. Each year the situation gets worse. I don't have to oppose foreign countries. My own country is now foreign to me. I am a stranger in a strange land.
@Mike the Pike I have given up on politics also. I only engage when the Honor of the Catholic Church is at stake. Discussing the Catholic Church and the ongoing destruction of souls because of the "errors of Russia" and the solution offered by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Our lady of Fatima, is very constructive in my opinion. Here a cut and paste comment, "GTv readers are having a chance to learn more about the "errors of Russia," by following our comments and finding an interest in seeking authentic Roman Catholic teaching on this important subject matter. Together we are exposing Russian influence and the "errors of Russia" to a wider audience and that will help strengthen their Catholic Faith and turn them to Our lady of Fatima for the Graces they need to expose the "errors of Russia," and protect themselves from it. " This is my position regarding politics and the Catholic Church. God bless you!
Russia did not shut out Catholics from mass during the pandemic. The Catholic bishops did that! Russia did not bless same-sex concubines. The Vatican did that! I'm sure you can add to the list.
@Mike the Pike Thank you for getting back to me! Did you know not all Catholics shut down their Catholic Church's, Father Burfitt kept his Catholic Church open and fought the California Government and won! He is my hero! I agree that it was a crime for the dioceses to do that! But they are beholden to the US government, and do not act as shepards anymore. You mentioned some items about Russia and you must mean the Russian Orthodox church. Are your sure your sources for that information are factual and not propaganda? The African Roman Catholics have been very strong about resisting the corrupt teaching emanating from the Vatican, they do not fit the mold of the progressive catholic faction here in the us! God bless you and Mary keep you!
We can see that the Prophet Daniel identifies the anti-church as a "little horn" and says it behaves as an independent, autonomous organism. The mystical body of the antichrist. Saint Hildegard sees how the anti-Church emerges from the genitals of the Church. Depraved men, corrupt apostates. And Blessed Emmerich calls it the communion of the profane.
Precisely Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II were hated by the modernist heretics who wanted a new church to be born after Vatican II in opposition to the Catholic Church, hence Pope Benedict XVI coined the expression "hermeneutics of continuity." With Bergoglio, this fragile thread that united the Church was broken, therefore, independently of their participation in the heresy of religious ecumenism, Bergoglio can be considered the founder of his own apostate, schismatic and homosexual sect.