Pope removes Texas bishop Strickland from office

GENEVA

Pope Francis on Saturday removed Joseph E. Strickland, the bishop of Tyler, Texas, from office.

"The decision came after an apostolic visitation ordered by the Pope last June in the Diocese of Tyler, which was entrusted to two US bishops," Vatican News reported.

The pontiff appointed Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin as apostolic administrator of the same diocese, rendering it sede vacante.