Catholic universities in the United States are abandoning core church teaching on abortion and gender, and too many U.S. bishops quietly agree with them, former Tyler, Texas, Bishop Joseph Strickland told Newsmax on Saturday, faulting a hierarchy he said is "cowering to the culture" from the Vatican down.

Strickland, who was removed as bishop of Tyler by Pope Francis in November 2023, spoke on Saturday Agenda as parents, alumni and pro-life advocates renewed pressure on Catholic colleges over their ties to the abortion industry.

A new Students for Life report from the Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement flagged more than 100 Christian colleges, including nine given an F grade for four or more ties to abortion groups.

Among the failing schools was Villanova University, the Augustinian university outside Philadelphia where Pope Leo XIV earned a degree in mathematics in 1977.

Pressed on whether bishops will crack down, Strickland offered no comfort. "Catholic teaching is clear, and too many Catholic universities are simply not offering their students Catholic teaching," he said. "That has to change."

But with prelates like Cardinal Robert McElroy, installed as archbishop of Washington in March 2025, shaping the American hierarchy, Strickland said meaningful discipline "isn't likely to happen soon."

He laid the failure at the feet of the U.S. bishops' conference.

"Frankly, those universities are not corrected because too many in the U.S. Bishops' conference agree with their stand," Strickland said. "And even if they don't agree, they're unwilling." He said the pattern is "epidemic" and stretches "from the Vatican down."

Truth, he added, "isn't proclaimed by those who must proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ."

Strickland argued the operative issue is not complicated. Abortion, he said, is a "black or white" question in Catholic doctrine, and universities that promote or partner with abortion groups betray their identity.

"There's always hope because Christ is head of the church," he said. "But we definitely have a crisis of faith in so many corners of the world and the church."

He urged parents to consult the Newman Guide before enrolling children in schools that claim the Catholic label.

Asked why Pride and transgender flags appear on Catholic campuses and in Catholic parishes when they would never be tolerated in a Catholic church sanctuary, Strickland saw the same institutional deference at work.

"Sadly, there's an agenda there to see it happen in Catholic parishes as well," he said, tying it to the same cultural surrender he sees in doctrine, discipline and higher education.

Villanova received a review after researchers found four infractions on its career-services pages, including listings of the Reproductive Freedom Fund of New Hampshire and Reproductive Freedom for All as employers.

GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:

NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!

Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.

You need to watch NEWSMAX today.

Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!

Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now

BEST OFFER:

Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.

Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.

Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!

Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.

Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!

Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com