Former bishop to speak at Grassroots America

TYLER — The former bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tyler, Joseph E. Strickland, is set to appear Tuesday at a Grassroots America – We the People meeting, a prominent constitutional conservative organization based in East Texas. According to our news partner KETK, the event, titled “Closing Out 2025 with Conviction, Hope, and Perseverance,” will be held at the Holiday Inn in Tyler. A food-and-fellowship buffet is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 6:25 p.m., with the meeting set to run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Organizers say book signings and additional speakers may continue until 9 p.m.

Strickland’s appearance marks one of his most public returns to the East Texas community since his removal as head of the Diocese of Tyler on Nov. 11, 2023.

An apostolic visitation took place in June of 2023, ordered by Pope Francis, which led church investigators to recommend that Strickland’s continuation in office “was not feasible.” When he declined to resign, the Pope removed him and appointed Austin Bishop Joe Vásquez as apostolic administrator.

Grassroots America – We the People, which describes itself as the largest all-volunteer constitutional conservative citizen organization in Texas, networks with more than 350 America First groups nationwide.

The group’s mission centers on uniting and educating citizens to advance what it calls the “Cause of Liberty,” emphasizing Judeo-Christian values, limited government and traditional family structures.