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	Priests for Life Director Awaits Bishop's Decision By Maura Grunlund Staten Island Advance October 22, 2011 http://www.silive.com/worship/2011/10/priests_for_life_director_awai.html The Rev. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life in New Dorp, clearly isn’t a fan of the separation between church and state as he waits in personal and financial limbo in Amarillo, Texas. Father Pavone supports the appointment of a fellow pro-life advocate, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, as papal nuncio to the United States and hopes the religious leader will play a crucial role in the outcome of the next presidential election. Father Pavone — who has run afoul of religious politics as the finances of his organization are being scrutinized by his superior, Bishop Patrick Zurek of Amarillo — criticized Roman Catholic dioceses in the U.S. for not being more influential in government. Referring to next year’s presidential election, Father Pavone said in a statement issued Wednesday that the nuncio “will consult the bishops in the United States and learn from them.” “We also look forward to the fruitful interaction between the nuncio and the many organizations, associations, and movements that work to promote political responsibility among the faithful in the United States, and to do so in such a way that is free from unwarranted and crippling fears that take refuge in misrepresentations, often found at the diocesan level, of what the law says churches may or may not do regarding elections,” he said. Father Pavone predicted that Archbishop Vigano will receive a warm welcome from the church in this country. “In particular, the pro-life movement looks forward to working with the new nuncio, as we seek to build a ‘Culture of Life.’¤” FAITHFUL AND OBEDIENT Meanwhile, Father Pavone “remains in Amarillo as directed by his bishop, and remains faithful and obedient.” Bishop Zurek had questioned Father Pavone’s obedience in a statement issued to fellow bishops, as revealed in September by the Catholic News Service. The Rev. David L. Deibel, the canonical adviser to Father Pavone, said in an official statement posted on Priestsforlife.org that Bishop Zurek hasn’t even acknowledged repeated requests for mediation. “Instead, [Bishop Zurek] wrote to Father Frank, asked him to come to a one-on-one meeting with him, and asked him in writing not to speak to anyone about the meeting,” the Rev. Deibel said in the statement. “Then, the next day, before Father Frank even had an opportunity to respond, the bishop announced the meeting on the front page of the website of the Amarillo diocese.” Due to a lack of mediation, the Rev. Deibel has advised Father Pavone against meeting with the bishop. “All of us want this entire process to be carried out in private rather than through the media,” the Rev. Deibel wrote. “He remains hopeful and prayerful that the bishop will respond privately to requests made of him, and that this situation will be resolved shortly in a truly Christian and ecclesiastical manner.” The Rev. Deibel claims that “Father Pavone is eager to restore with Bishop Zurek the trust and communication that should exist between any priest and his bishop.” Priests for Life is touted as the nation’s largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For information, visit Priestsforlife.org.
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