Emeritus Bishop Joseph E. Strickland published on October 15, 2025, through the site Pillars of Faith, a vigorous message in which he rejects the appointment of Cardinal Blase Cupich (Chicago) as a member of the Vatican City’s governing council. The decision, arranged by Pope Leo XIV, is not for Strickland a mere administrative act, but an unequivocal signal of direction. According to the prelate, this appointment represents a blow against tradition, the defense of life, and fidelity to Catholic doctrine.
Strickland warns that elevating Cupich to one of the power structures of the Holy See sends a devastating message to the faithful Catholics. He recalls that the American cardinal has been characterized by his opposition to the Traditional Latin Mass, his tolerance toward openly pro-abortion politicians, and his hostility toward those who defend the full doctrine and the sanctity of life. “Fidelity to tradition and to moral law is now considered an obstacle and not a light,” laments the emeritus bishop.
In his message, he declares with pain that the Church is being dismantled from within by those who seek the world’s approval instead of safeguarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He does not hesitate to describe the situation as a betrayal of Christ’s mandate and to affirm that episcopal silence in these circumstances amounts to complicity. “The wolves wear miters,” he warns, calling for clarity instead of confusion.
The prelate exhorts his brother bishops to set aside lukewarmness: “This is not the time to whisper. The sheep are scattered. The wolves wear miters. To remain silent is to share in the sin.” To the faithful, he asks them to stand firm, pray, make reparation, teach their children the full faith, and adore the Eucharistic Lord with greater devotion, even in the midst of the current crisis. Strickland emphasizes that Christ does not ask for diplomacy, but for fidelity, and quotes Scripture: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
We provide below the full translation of Msgr. Strickland’s message:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, with deep sorrow for the state of our beloved Church, I must speak. Pope Leo XIV has appointed Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago as a member of the Vatican City’s governing council. This is not a small administrative act; it is a declaration of direction.
Cardinal Cupich has publicly opposed the Traditional Latin Mass, has tolerated and even celebrated politicians who promote abortion, and has constantly undermined those who defend the sanctity of life and the fullness of Catholic doctrine. Elevating a man like this to one of the Vatican’s governing bodies is sending a message to the faithful Catholics around the world: that fidelity to tradition and to moral law is now considered an obstacle and not a light.
I cannot remain silent. The Church I love is being dismantled—not by its external enemies, but by those within its walls who exchange the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the approval of the world. The faithful deserve clarity, not confusion.
I speak not in rebellion, but in obedience to the truth of Christ, who said: “Let your yes be yes, and your no be no” (Mt 5:37). My loyalty to the papal office remains, but loyalty does not mean silence in the face of error.
However, words of sorrow are not enough. The hour is too late and the deception too deep. We are witnessing how the faith of our fathers is being dismantled under the pretext of renewal. Those who once defended the Bride of Christ now seek the applause of the world. They build altars to tolerance while Christ is crucified again by silence and betrayal.
Let us speak clearly: when men with power are appointed who reject moral law, who mock the Sacred Liturgy, who despise the faithful who kneel before the Eucharistic Lord, this is not renewal, it is rebellion against Christ Himself. And no Catholic, bishop or layperson, can remain indifferent while the light of truth is eclipsed.
I implore my brother bishops: this is not the time to whisper. The sheep are scattered. The wolves wear miters. To remain silent is to share in the sin. The call to unity cannot mean unity in error. It must mean unity in the pierced Heart of the Redeemer.
To the faithful I say: do not lose heart. Do not abandon the Church, for it remains the Bride of Christ, though bleeding. Stand firm. Pray and make reparation. Adore the Eucharistic Lord with greater love than ever. Teach the full faith to your children. Remain at the foot of the Cross with Our Lady.
Christ does not ask us for diplomacy; He asks us for fidelity. We can no longer pretend that these betrayals are mere misunderstandings. The world may call this defiance; Heaven calls it truth. “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus reign again in His Church, and may every shepherd be found faithful when the Supreme Shepherd appears. Amen.
+ Joseph E. Strickland
Emeritus Bishop