Podcast Summary: Bannon’s War Room Battleground EP 915 – Ben Harnwell One-on-One with Bishop Strickland
Date: December 30, 2025
Host: Ben Harnwell | Guest: Bishop Joseph Strickland

Overview

This episode features Ben Harnwell interviewing Bishop Joseph Strickland, known for his outspoken defense of traditional Catholic doctrine and his recent removal as Bishop of Tyler, Texas. The conversation explores Strickland’s views on Pope Francis, his experience of ecclesial discipline under the current papacy, the contemporary state of Catholic leadership, and challenges facing lay Catholics, particularly around doctrinal clarity, the Church’s approach to homosexuality, and the importance of fidelity to Christ’s teachings.

Key Discussion Points

1. Clarifying the “Usurper” Controversy ([00:54]–[07:39])

• Initial Question:
  Harnwell asks Strickland to explain his reading of a letter labeling Pope Francis a “usurper” and to clarify his intent and the fallout.
• Strickland’s Perspective:
  • He clarifies that the use of "usurper" was quoting a respected friend, intended not to question Francis’s validity as Pope, but rather to highlight concerns over fidelity to Christ's teachings. It was not about papal legitimacy, but about the Pope’s responsibility to “guard the deposit of faith.”
  • “I've done my best to not be silent, to still joyfully proclaim Christ and his truth. He is truth.” ([02:51], Strickland)

2. On the Validity of Pope Francis’s Pontificate ([07:39]–[14:21])

• Validity and Doubt:
  • Strickland states, “from every indication” Francis was validly elected ([08:21]) but acknowledges “room for doubt” due to widespread confusion. He stresses acceptance based on the Church’s declaration but reiterates that the essential issue is whether the Pontiff is upholding Christ’s truth.
  • “It’s above my pay grade to make that assessment.” ([08:44], Strickland)
• Role of the Pope:
  • Harnwell and Strickland agree that the Pope's primary duty is preserving and transmitting what was handed down by Christ and the apostles, not creating “novelties.”
  • “We're not a cult… The substance of what we believe comes down from Christ and the apostles.” ([11:09], Harnwell)
• Advice for Confused Catholics:
  • Strickland urges Catholics to look to Christ’s teachings and pray for the Pope, emphasizing the crisis of catechesis in the Church. ([14:21])

3. Strickland’s Dismissal as Bishop ([15:32]–[21:59])

• Account of Removal:
  • Strickland recounts being summoned by Archbishop (now Cardinal) Christophe Pierre and being told Pope Francis wished for his resignation. He refused to resign, considering it abandonment of his flock, and was removed by official Vatican communication instead.
  • “I couldn't resign because I saw that as my personal choice to abandon my flock, and I wasn't going to do that… when I said I cannot, I will not resign… [Pierre said] 'well, then you are removed.'” ([16:34], Strickland)
• No Written Cause:
  • He never received a formal, written explanation—only the decision delivered by email.
• Underlying Issues:
  • Attributes his removal to resistance against "synodality" and any agenda not rooted in Christ’s teachings, especially perceived attempts to loosen sexual moral teaching.

4. Vatican Authority and Legal Responsibility ([21:59]–[26:42])

• Discussion on Vatican’s Claim of Authority:
  • Harnwell notes the Vatican’s contradictory stances: arguing in US courts it lacks authority to remove bishops in order to evade legal liability over abuse cases, while in practice exerting such authority as shown by Strickland’s removal.
  • “You yourself, sir, are… walking testimony of the fact that what the Vatican has… argued in court, is literally not true.” ([21:59], Harnwell)
• Strickland on Bishops’ Role:
  • Critiques the current tendency of bishops to act as “branch managers” rather than successors of the apostles with genuine local responsibility.

5. Bishops’ Conference and Scandal: The Silence on Catholic Doctrine ([28:42]–[32:33])

• Strickland’s Intervention Clip:
  • Strickland recalls publicly raising the issue at the bishops’ conference of a priest celebrating confirmation for a man openly living in a homosexual relationship, referencing Fr. James Martin’s involvement—and receiving total public silence in response.
  • Quote: “It just needs to be addressed… this body gathered, we need to address it.” ([29:16], Strickland)
• Aftermath:
  • “Between 250 and 300 bishops in that room… and it's like, oh, well, don't bring up something like this. We've got our agenda to take care of and this isn't on the agenda. And what else is the agenda but then publicly flaunting a contradiction of the teaching of the Catholic Faith?” ([30:20], Strickland)

6. Challenges for Lay Catholics in 2025 ([32:33]–[37:39])

• Living the Faith in Modernity:
  • Harnwell expresses the difficulty for Catholics today to speak to loved ones about traditional teachings on sexuality, especially when bishops won’t even publicly affirm doctrine.
  • Strickland acknowledges the challenge but affirms the truth does not change with the times: “It's as if the truth has changed. It hasn't.”
• Historical Parallels and the Duty of Love:
  • References St. Peter Damian’s battle against clergy’s sexual misconduct a thousand years ago.
  • Emphasizes calling others to truth is an act of love, not hate: “It really becomes hatred to allow people to just continue down what the Church says is a sinful path and ignore that sin because it's not the popular thing to do...That becomes hatred, I believe, in itself.” ([34:58], Strickland)

7. Apostasy, Eschatology, and the Future of the Church ([37:39]–[42:14])

• On the Falling Away of Church Leaders:
  • Harnwell asks if the loss of doctrinal fidelity among bishops is a sign of end times.
  • Strickland responds: “I make no claim to know when the world will end… but we need to recognize this life is a finite journey. All of us will end in death… The Church’s mission is to address what happens to us when we die.”
  • Calls for rediscovery of the Church’s focus on salvation and living in view of eternity, noting some young priests are embracing tradition.

8. Pillars of Faith: Strickland’s Apostolate ([43:47]–[45:45])

• Mission and Offerings:
  • PillarsOfFaith.net was established to support faithful Catholics, offering podcasts, writings, and a lay/priest fraternity advocating steadfastness in the ancient faith.
  • “All we’re doing is proclaiming Jesus Christ, the ancient and beautiful truth of the Catholic faith.” ([43:47], Strickland)

9. Closing Reflections and Christmas Message ([46:56]–[49:33])

• On Christmas and Christ’s Centrality:
  • Strickland stresses that Christmas signifies Christ’s entry into human history, urging listeners to keep Him at the center of their lives.
  • “There is no Christmas without Christ.”
• Final Blessing:
  • Offers a Christmas blessing to the audience:
    “May we all grow closer to his sacred heart through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. And we ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” ([49:09], Strickland)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Strickland on his outspokenness:
  “I've become known for being willing to speak up… Plain spoken is what we need. And Texans tend to be fairly plain spoken… call a spade a spade. Speak the truth clearly. And that is something I believe we're desperate for.” ([04:47])
• On loving those with same-sex attraction:
  “Hatred is never of Jesus Christ, but… it becomes hatred to allow people to just continue down what the Church says is a sinful path and ignore that sin because it's not the popular thing to do…” ([34:58])
• On Church’s purpose:
  “The Church is to be in the world, but not of the world.” ([41:42])
• On the crisis in the episcopacy:
  “[Bishops] act as if they are branch managers of a huge global organization.” ([24:47])
• On responding to confusion in the Church:
  “We need to be better catechized and know what the truth actually is.” ([14:21])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Clarifying “Usurper” & Papal Authority: [00:54]–[14:21]
• Strickland’s Removal as Bishop: [15:32]–[21:59]
• Bishops’ Authority & Legal Fallout: [21:59]–[26:42]
• Silence at Bishops Conference: [28:42]–[32:33]
• Challenges for Lay Catholics: [32:33]–[37:39]
• Future of the Church & Eschatology: [37:39]–[42:14]
• Pillars of Faith: [43:47]–[45:45]
• Christmas Message & Blessing: [46:56]–[49:33]

Tone and Language

The episode is candid and confrontational regarding issues of Church governance, doctrine, and moral clarity, yet deeply pastoral in calling for love, truth, and prayerful resistance to secular pressures. Strickland’s Texan directness and traditionalist Catholic commitment, combined with Harnwell’s incisive and at times polemical questioning, set a tone of urgency but also hope.

This summary captures the depth and breadth of the conversation for listeners seeking insight into current Catholic controversies, leadership dynamics, and the pastoral vision of Bishop Strickland.