Embracing Our Inner Bishop Strickland

[Michie]

If we are going to embrace Christ and His call to share Him with the world, we will encounter persecution. Not only does Jesus promise this (“In the world you will have trouble”) but He teaches that it is a blessing (“blessed are they who are persecuted because of me”).

For some of us the persecution is somewhat subtle. Family or friends may snub us if we talk openly about our Catholic faith.

But for some, defending the faith has material consequences, like losing a business for not providing homosexual or transgender services. Some may even lose their jobs for not taking a mandatory shot. And some are attacked or arrested for counseling at abortuaries.

More and more, defending Christ will get you incarcerated or martyred. The issue isn’t whether persecution will come our way – rest assured, it will. The issue is how we respond to it.

For many Catholics, curiously, persecution seems to be coming from the Catholic hierarchy. Which brings us to Bishop Strickland and his removal from leading the Tyler diocese. Based on what has played out in the public sphere, my personal assessment is that Bishop Strickland has been a fine example of how to conduct ourselves in times of trial and persecution. Your assessment of Bishop Strickland in particular, and the current state of the Church in general, may be different. But there are spiritual lessons here nonetheless.

Bishop Strickland – A Public Face in Challenging Times​

Continued below.

Embracing Our Inner Bishop Strickland - Catholic Stand

For many Catholics persecution seems to be coming from the Catholic hierarchy. Such is the case with Bishop Strickland.

catholicstand.com

 

[chevyontheriver]

If we are going to embrace Christ and His call to share Him with the world, we will encounter persecution. Not only does Jesus promise this (“In the world you will have trouble”) but He teaches that it is a blessing (“blessed are they who are persecuted because of me”).

For some of us the persecution is somewhat subtle. Family or friends may snub us if we talk openly about our Catholic faith.

But for some, defending the faith has material consequences, like losing a business for not providing homosexual or transgender services. Some may even lose their jobs for not taking a mandatory shot. And some are attacked or arrested for counseling at abortuaries.

More and more, defending Christ will get you incarcerated or martyred. The issue isn’t whether persecution will come our way – rest assured, it will. The issue is how we respond to it.

For many Catholics, curiously, persecution seems to be coming from the Catholic hierarchy. Which brings us to Bishop Strickland and his removal from leading the Tyler diocese. Based on what has played out in the public sphere, my personal assessment is that Bishop Strickland has been a fine example of how to conduct ourselves in times of trial and persecution. Your assessment of Bishop Strickland in particular, and the current state of the Church in general, may be different. But there are spiritual lessons here nonetheless.

Bishop Strickland – A Public Face in Challenging Times​

Continued below.

Embracing Our Inner Bishop Strickland - Catholic Stand

For many Catholics persecution seems to be coming from the Catholic hierarchy. Such is the case with Bishop Strickland.

catholicstand.com

Bishop Strickland is still a Catholic bishop. Just without a diocese. He has not been charged with any heresy or moral failure. So it is not at all improper to look at an 'inner bishop Strickland'. It would not be improper to look at an 'inner Athanasius' either.