Inside a windowless hotel ballroom on the Baltimore waterfront on Wednesday, more than 250 American bishops were trying to pilot through the choppy waters of the increasingly contentious relationship between Pope Francis and conservative American Catholics, many of them in their own ranks.
But the most visible sign of that struggle was outside on the street, as a small crowd gathered to show support for Bishop Joseph Strickland, the bellicose Texas bishop fired by Francis over the weekend.
Bishop Strickland has accused the pope of undermining the Catholic faith and represents an outspoken cohort in the church who view Francis as dangerously liberal.
Just steps from the hotel, Bishop Strickland’s supporters sang and knelt to pray with the deposed cleric.
Most held rosaries, and some hoisted signs reading, “We stand with Bishop Strickland.”
Persons:
Pope Francis, Bishop Joseph Strickland, Francis, Bishop Strickland, Bishop Strickland’s, ”
Organizations:
Bishop
Locations:
Baltimore, Texas