By Stephanie Slepian
Staten Island Advance
September 13, 2011
http://www.silive.com/eastshore/index.ssf/2011/09/rev_frank_pavone_pro-life_advo.html
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| Rev. Frank Pavone poses in front of a cross at Priests for Life in New Dorp on Jan. 14, 2003. |
The leader of Priests for Life, a global anti-abortion operation based in New Dorp, has been suspended from ministering outside the Texas diocese he reports to, over concerns that he is mismanaging the organization.
Bishop Patrick Zurek, who presides over the Rev. Frank Pavone’s diocese in Amarillo, has called Priests for Life "a business that is quite lucrative which provides Father Pavone with financial independence from all legitimate ecclesiastical oversight."
Father Pavone’s celebrity status led him to thumb his nose at his diocese and to forget the vows he took, according to the bishop.
"It seems that his fame has caused him to see priestly obedience as an inconvenience to his unique status and an obstacle to the possible international scope of his ministry," he wrote in a letter to his fellow bishops across the country that was obtained by the Catholic News Service.
"This attitude has strained his relationship with me and has given me the impression that I cannot invoke obedience with him because he is famous."
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL LETTER.
For his part, Father Pavone said he has been "completely transparent" when asked to give information about his organization’s finances to Bishop Zurek, who heads the diocese located in the Texas panhandle.
"We keep them all informed of our activities, and of our financial audits," Father Pavone said in a statement, adding that he receives no salary or remuneration from his diocese or Priests for Life.
"To this end, Priests for Life has consistently provided every financial document requested by Bishop Zurek, including annual financial audits, quarterly reports, management documents — even entire check registers."
CLICK HERE TO READ A COMPLETE STATEMENT FROM FATHER PAVONE.
Bishop Zurek has ordered Father Pavone back to Amarillo "to readjust his priestly bearing through spiritual and theological renewal in order to recapture that essential priestly hallmark of respect and obedience."
Father Pavone is on his way to Amarillo, but has appealed to the Vatican to allow him to continue his mission on a full-time basis. He coordinated worldwide Priest for Life activities for the Pontifical Council in Rome from 1997 to 1999.
Though Father Pavone said his appeal to the Vatican has "effectively suspended" Bishop Zurek’s order to return, he is heading back "because of my great respect for this Bishop and my commitment to be fully obedient at all times."
Father Pavone is well-known on the anti-abortion front.
In March, he arranged for the transfer of Baby Joseph, a terminally ill 13-month old, to the United States because his Canadian doctors refused to perform a tracheotomy that would have allowed him to breathe on his own and spend his last days at home.
He has organized "freedom rides" across the country, akin to those conducted during the Civil Rights movement, and most recently backed "the heartbeat bill," a piece of Ohio legislation that would prohibit abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected.
The Ohio House of Representatives has already approved the measure.
No operational changes will be made to Priests for Life.
Dr. Gerard Nadal, a Bay Terrace resident and national director of Medical Students for Life of America, said he was distressed by the situation.
"His bishop didn’t publicize any specific bill of indictment," Dr. Nadal said. "We in the pro-life community have a great regard for the work [Father Pavone] has done. He has created a lot of energy."
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