A Texas bishop who was fired by Pope Francis in November will deliver the keynote address to the Conservative Political Action Conference’s annual dinner next month, according to media reports.
Bishop Joseph E. Strickland will speak at the CPAC Ronald Reagan Dinner on Feb. 23 and will celebrate Mass for attendees at the gathering, one of the nation’s largest meetings of conservatives.
The $395-per-person, black-tie-optional dinner will be held at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort & Convention Center in Maryland.
CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp told Newsmax that Bishop Strickland gained the attention of many because he refused to resign as head of the Tyler diocese.
Bishop Strickland has publicly disagreed with the pontiff about limiting the use of the Latin Mass, a liturgy used by the church before a new one was introduced in 1970 following the Second Vatican Council.
Other bishops restricted the use of the 1962 rite, but Bishop Strickland allowed it without restriction, according to reports.
Francis removed the cleric — who retains the title of bishop — on Nov. 11 following an apostolic visitation ordered by the Vatican.
Since then, Bishop Strickland has made several media appearances, led prayers outside the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting in Baltimore, and argued for conservative positions on his X account.