Bishop's Blog



Pastoral Exhortation: God's Mercy through the Ministry of the Church

Thursday, November 10, 2016
To conclude the Year of Mercy, I have written a pastoral exhortation to the faithful of the Diocese of Tyler on the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. The complete text of the exhortation is below in and it can also be printed in English and Spanish from this PDF. JOSEPH EDWARD... Read More

Coming Together as Faithful Citizens for the Common Good

Wednesday, November 09, 2016
I am pleased to join the statement of Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and I encourage all Americans to come together following Tuesday’s election. I would also add: With this historic election concluded, I encourage all to pray for President-Elect Trump and our reelected... Read More

We Dare to Say: Election 2016

Friday, October 14, 2016
As we prepare for the election in November, I think it was important that I address the critically significant issues that we face.  I agree with the statement that I have often heard that the choice of a leader for a society is primarily a reflection of where a society... Read More

The Absurdity of Catholics for Choice

Tuesday, September 13, 2016
​ A full page ad placed in the San Antonio Express-News, the Houston Chronicle and the Dallas Morning News on Monday, September 12, by so-called "Catholics for Choice" attempted to mis-lead the public by claiming that they are a legitimate voice of the Catholic Church. I applaud my brother bishops... Read More

Sunday: The Lord's Day and Our Day

Friday, August 12, 2016
JOSEPH EDWARD STRICKLAND BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE APOSTOLIC SEE BISHOP OF TYLER TO THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS & CATHOLIC FAITHFUL OF THE DIOCESE OF TYLER, HEALTH AND BENEDICTION Sunday, The Lord’s Day and Our Day As we continue in the liturgical season of Ordinary Time, a large portion... Read More

Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau

Friday, July 29, 2016
On Wednesday, we left the joyful atmosphere of World Youth Day and entered one of the darkest places on Earth. It was a very emotional, but powerful experience for all of us, and our young people left knowing that the light of Christ Jesus can never be extinguished. 

World Youth Day 2016 #wydtyler

Wednesday, July 27, 2016
We are having an incredible adventure in Poland for World Youth Day 2016 as we grow in faith and fraternity with our group of 55 from the Diocese of Tyler, as well as with millions of others from the Church universal who have gathered with Pope Francis to learn about... Read More

Photos of Father Jonathon Frels' Ordination and the Seminarian Softball Classic

Thursday, July 07, 2016
If you haven't checked out the photos recently posted to my Photo Gallery I encourage you to take a look.  Great slices of the life of the diocese.

St. Maria Goretti

Thursday, July 07, 2016
July 6th we celebrated St. Maria Goretti and the liturgy brought back pleasant memories of the visit of her relics to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception last November.  The readings of the liturgy were especially appropriate for the wonderful witness that this young girl continues to give to the... Read More

When Being Judgmental is a Good Thing

Thursday, June 02, 2016
In recent weeks I have read several articles dealing with the issue of being judgmental in today’s society.   It seems that the whole concept has become a four letter word, and I believe that in a rather whimsical way this gets to the heart of the matter.  Judgmental is... Read More
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