Bishop Joseph Strickland Calls for Reflection on Holiness and Spiritual Correction

In a recent message that has resonated among conservative Catholic communities, Bishop Joseph Strickland expressed his concern over what he perceives as a weakening of traditional values during the Vatican Jubilee, an event that, according to his interpretation, allowed behaviors far removed from the holiness and moral standards that the Church has always upheld.

Strickland pointed out that “those who embrace the vile act of crossing the door of Saint Peter, the Holy Door, with an attitude of anything but holiness, let us not forget that God loves them deeply.” With these words, the bishop emphasized that, while maintaining a message of love, there is a need for correction and moral guidance, especially when the Church faces actions that could contradict traditional doctrine.

The bishop criticized that some Jubilee participants were applauded and allowed to proceed without receiving guidance or correction, which, according to him, represents a failure in the teaching and discipline the Church must uphold. “It is even more tragic that God’s beloved children are not corrected, not guided from their darkness, but simply allowed to pass, applauded, permitted,” Strickland stated, highlighting the importance of firm ecclesiastical leadership that does not yield to external pressures or cultural trends.

From a conservative perspective, this statement reflects concern that the Church is adopting positions that could be mistaken for approval of behaviors contrary to traditional morality, particularly regarding the LGBT community. For Strickland, the issue is not about condemning individuals, but about maintaining doctrinal integrity, protecting the sanctity of the sacraments, and safeguarding moral teaching against external influences that could weaken the core values of Catholicism.

The bishop’s message also carries a pastoral component: although the criticism is firm, Strickland insists that resistance must always be exercised with love. His call is not one of hatred or repression, but of discipline with compassion, guiding the faithful toward true holiness and reminding that God’s love extends to all, including those who adopt behaviors the Church considers morally wrong.

That statements like these reinforce the idea that the Church must resist cultural and media pressures that seek to normalize practices or behaviors that contradict traditional doctrine. In this sense, Strickland serves as a spokesperson for those defending the moral and spiritual purity of the Church, emphasizing that correction and spiritual guidance are essential for the well-being of the Catholic community.

The impact of his words has sparked debate both within and outside the Church. While some view Strickland as exaggerating regarding Jubilee activities, other conservatives see his message as a necessary reminder that faith and morality should not be sacrificed in the name of inclusion or cultural acceptance. For these groups, the bishop’s stance exemplifies strong leadership, combining pastoral love with doctrinal clarity, demonstrating that defending traditional values is not incompatible with compassion.

In conclusion, Joseph Strickland’s statement underscores a key premise for the Church from a conservative viewpoint: moral and doctrinal integrity is non-negotiable, and correction, when exercised with love, protects both individuals and the community from spiritual confusion. In events such as the Vatican Jubilee, the bishop reminds the faithful that true holiness requires firmness, and that the Church must act as a guide and custodian of the faith, resisting with love trends that, although popular, may divert the faithful from the eternal principles of Catholic doctrine.