“As we face the challenges in the world and the Church today – and in particular with the confusion of the Synod on Synodality raging even as I write this – let us be reminded that there is only one way to eternal life: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (Jn 14:6). Our Lord also tells us plainly that not all will be saved: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matt 7:21). Therefore, it is important that we remain firmly anchored to the Sacred Deposit of Faith and reject any idea which would deviate from the perennial teachings of the Catholic Church.
This includes any who – in the name of ecumenism or dialogue – would promote the error of universalism or attempt to offer a way of salvation other than through Jesus Christ and His Church. The tragic temptation to eviscerate the meaning of His Life through a so-called universalism that renders Him meaningless is a great manifestation of the evil we face today. Let us reject the notion that all are saved with no need for metanoia, and instead embrace the wondrous metanoia God offers us only through His Son. We have been given the greatest and most precious gift imaginable; let us recognize that gift and share it with a world that is so desperately in need of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! In conclusion, let us rejoice and be glad, because God loves us and calls to Himself. He built a bridge in the shape of a cross so that our sin would not keep us separated from Him, and He gave us the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Reconciliation so that we may cross that bridge and be adopted into the family of God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was conceived in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was born in Bethlehem, lived and taught among us, suffered and died for us, and rose from the dead. He did all of this to free us from sin and death, and to offer us the opportunity to gain everlasting life with God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That is the Good News, and we must joyfully share it with the world!
May Almighty God bless you, my brothers and sisters, and may we continue to grow stronger in faith and turn our hearts always to Jesus Christ who is our salvation.
Remaining your humble father and servant,
Most Reverend Joseph E. Strickland
Bishop of Tyler”
https://bishopstrickland.com/uploads/blog/4a8ec7b2be09e50aa39b0467538c983edf62e8e1.pdf
Bishop Strickland’s pastoral letter on the dangers of universalism (4)
“As we face the challenges in the world and the Church today – and in particular with the confusion of the Synod on Synodality raging even as I write this – let us be reminded that there is only one way to eternal life: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (Jn 14:6). Our Lord also tells us plainly that not all will be saved: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matt 7:21). Therefore, it is important that we remain firmly anchored to the Sacred Deposit of Faith and reject any idea which would deviate from the perennial teachings of the Catholic Church.
This includes any who – in the name of ecumenism or dialogue – would promote the error of universalism or attempt to offer a way of salvation other than through Jesus Christ and His Church. The tragic temptation to eviscerate the meaning of His Life through a so-called universalism that renders Him meaningless is a great manifestation of the evil we face today. Let us reject the notion that all are saved with no need for metanoia, and instead embrace the wondrous metanoia God offers us only through His Son. We have been given the greatest and most precious gift imaginable; let us recognize that gift and share it with a world that is so desperately in need of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! In conclusion, let us rejoice and be glad, because God loves us and calls to Himself. He built a bridge in the shape of a cross so that our sin would not keep us separated from Him, and He gave us the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Reconciliation so that we may cross that bridge and be adopted into the family of God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was conceived in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was born in Bethlehem, lived and taught among us, suffered and died for us, and rose from the dead. He did all of this to free us from sin and death, and to offer us the opportunity to gain everlasting life with God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That is the Good News, and we must joyfully share it with the world!
May Almighty God bless you, my brothers and sisters, and may we continue to grow stronger in faith and turn our hearts always to Jesus Christ who is our salvation.
Remaining your humble father and servant,
Most Reverend Joseph E. Strickland
Bishop of Tyler”
https://bishopstrickland.com/uploads/blog/4a8ec7b2be09e50aa39b0467538c983edf62e8e1.pdf