By Nik Bonopartis
Port Chester Patch
October 14, 2011
http://portchester.patch.com/articles/pavone-doesn-t-show-for-critical-meeting-with-bishop
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The Rev. Frank Pavone, a Port Chester native and leader of Priests for Life, skipped a long-anticipated meeting with his bishop Thursday.
A long-fought public battle between a Port Chester-born priest and his bishop was expected to come to a head yesterday when the two men were due to meet.
The Rev. Frank Pavone, leader of Priests for Life, was recalled to his home diocese last month after Bishop Patrick Zurek raised questions about Pavone's financial management of the charity.
After Pavone and Zurek waged a month-long public relations battle in the media and the blogosphere, yesterday's scheduled meeting might have provided answers about the future of Pavone and Priests for Life, a national charity with revenues exceeding $10 million annually.
But Pavone simply didn't show up to the meeting, according to the Amarillo Globe-News.
The local newspaper quotes Zurek saying he's "still waiting" for an opportunity to meet with Pavone.
Pavone grew up in Port Chester, attended Corpus Christi Church and launched Priests for Life here in Port Chester in 1993. In almost two decades since, Pavone has become a well-known leader in the pro-life movement, with fervent supporters and frequent platforms on national television through which he's spread his message.
When Zurek publicly raised questions about Pavone's financial management of Priests for Life and its associated non-profits, commentators, bloggers and media in pro-life and Catholic circles began speculating on the future of the Port Chester-born priest and his charity.
While attributing the accusations against him to detractors, Pavone has also ramped up an aggressive fund-raising campaign, leading some to speculate he may be considering a move that would involve separation from the Catholic Church.
A message was left for Zurek at the Amarillo, TX, diocesan offices. For now, Zurek told Amarillo Globe-News he still hopes to meet with Pavone.
Check back for updates.
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