Note: This document will be updated with new information about Fr. Pavone’s situation as it becomes available. It is arranged in chronological order from newest to oldest.
9/16 – Fr. Pavone releases a video update from Amarillo.
9/16 – Fr. Pavone writes an update from Amarillo. (Read complete article here.)
“Sure, it’s distressing to have to endure false suspicions, inaccurate media reports, and disruption to a mission which is at the core of my life. That’s all the temporary distress of what’s happening in these days. But that’s nothing compared to the distress I experience every day because my unborn brothers and sisters are being butchered by abortion.”
9/16 – Pro-life leaders circulate a petition in favor of Fr. Pavone. (Read the petition here.)
9/16 – Popular Catholic blogger Thomas Peters isn’t convinced the efforts to lobby Bishop Zurek are productive. (Read complete post here.)
9/16 – Pro-life activist Gerard Nadal expresses concern with the “Free Fr. Frank” movement. (Read complete article here.)
9/15 – Fr. Pavone: “I do not foresee myself staying incardinated in Amarillo.”
“It’s a sensitive issue,” he added. “We’re working it out behind the scenes. But I say that in light of the bishop’s apparent unwillingness to let me do pro-life work full time, I will seek that elsewhere.”
9/15 – Abby Johnson defends Fr. Pavone: ‘He saves babies, he heals me’
I asked my co-workers if they thought it would be inappropriate to go outside to meet Fr. Pavone. They gave me a bewildered look and said, “NO! You run an abortion clinic! He doesn’t want to meet you!”
9/15 – 36-year Veteran pro-life leader John Jakubczyk:
“I will pray for this bishop that his motives are consistent with his duties as a shepherd concerned for his flock. But to be honest I have some problems with his approach. Still I will leave that for another day. Instead allow me to focus on the man I know and the organization that has helped do many to promote the Gospel of Life.”
9/15 – Bishop Zurek spokesman: Priests for Life Money Belongs to the Church
Speaking of the $10+ million raised annually by Priests for Life, Bishop Zurek’s spokesman told the media: “This is patrimony of the Church.” “It belongs to the Church. People give their money over the understanding that it goes to the Church or Church auspices and programs and ministries.”
9/15 – Center For Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR) will be picketing parishes in Amarillo
“To ensure that the Diocese understands exactly what is at stake in Bishop Zurek’s decision to “suspend” Fr. Pavone from pro-life work outside of Amarillo, CBR’s picket signs will include large, color photos of aborted babies.”
9/15 – Video interview of Fr. Pavone: Not going to stop life’s dedication to pro-life work
“A lot of people think I’m too aggressive on the abortion issue. Too bad, I’m going to get more aggressive as time goes on because it’s a holocaust… When and how are people going to stand up and say ‘this is worth us dedicating our lives to stop this’.”
9/14 – On his blog – In the Light of the Law – famed canonist Ed Peters comments on the Bishop Zurek letter noting that the Bishop “should not have used the term ‘suspend’ in regard to Pavone, for ‘suspension’ is a canonical penalty for crime (c. 1333), and Pavone has not been accused of any crime.” He adds however that the Bishop “is within his authority to recall Pavone to Amarillo in virtue of Pavone’s promise of obedience (c. 273) and may revoke the permission required for any secular cleric to be outside his diocese of incardination for a notable period (c. 283).”
9/14 – In Catholic News Service article, Bishop Zurek now says that he is recalling Fr. Pavone because he needs him to do other work in the diocese.
“Msgr. Waldow told Catholic News Service Sept. 13 that Bishop Patrick J. Zurek only suspended Father Pavone’s ministry outside of the diocese because the well-known pro-life priest is needed for work in Amarillo.”
9/14 – Fr. Pavone releases a second statement. (Read the full statement here.)
“I am now in Amarillo – as obedience requires—for my temporary visit as matters with my bishop are worked out. The expression of support from pro-life leaders and activists has been constant and strong…”
9/14 – Letter from Fr. Pavone to all U.S. bishops made public.
9/14 – Priests for life publicly releases full 2010 independent audit opinion sent to all its 21 bishop advisors.
This marks the tenth consecutive year that the organization’s auditors have provided a ‘clean’ audit opinion, when reporting on the respective year’s financial statements.
9/14 – Pro-Life Action League Founder Joe Scheidler releases a statement (Read complete statement here).
Scheidler says he has worked with Pavone for more than 20 years. “I have never met a more dedicated, passionate and hard-working pro-lifer, priest or layman… I know for a fact that Fr. Pavone never charges a dime for a speaking engagement.”
9/14 – Life Issues Institute Executive Director Brad Mattes releases a statement (Read complete statement here.)
I have known Father Frank for twenty years and know them to be counter to how he has led his life—both personally and professionally… unborn babies will be better served if our boycott efforts are directed at corporations that fund Planned Parenthood, Komen and March of Dimes, not our fellow pro-life allies.
9/14 Executive Dir of Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network Bobby Schindler releases a statement. (Read the complete statement here.)
“Our family has come to know Fr. Pavone in both our public and private struggles. We recognize and share with the millions of his supporters around the globe that Father’s voice and his endless determination to protect the sacredness of life, is vital to the pro-life cause…”
9/14 Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, Administrator of Archdiocese of Baltimore, makes a statement to the media. (Read the statement here)
Archbishop O’Brien said he has known Father Pavone for many years, having taught him as a student at St. Joseph Seminary in Dunwoodie, N.Y., before his ordination as a priest.
“I appreciate Bishop Patrick Zurek’s statement and would hope that Father Pavone would adhere fully to the requests of his bishop,” Archbishop O’Brien told The Catholic Review. ”Bishop Zurek has been so very patient and thorough in dealing with this matter over many months. I appreciate his decision and support it completely.”
9/13 – The letter from Fr. Pavone’s bishop, Bishop Patrick Zurek, restricting Fr. Pavone from active ministry outside his diocese, is made public. (Read the complete letter here.)
“The PFL has become a business that is quite lucrative which provides Father Pavone with financial independence from all legitimate ecclesiastical oversight. There have been persistent question and concerns by clergy and laity regarding the transactions of millions of dollars of donations to the PFL from whom the donors have a rightful expectation that the monies are being used prudently.”
9/13 – Fr. Pavone releases a statement in response to the order from his bishop, Bishop Patrick Zurek, to restrict his active ministry to his own diocese. (Read the complete statement here.)
“I want to say very clearly that Priests for Life is above reproach in its financial management and the stewardship of the monies it receives from dedicated pro-lifers, raised primarily through direct mail at the grassroots level. To this end, Priests for Life has consistently provided every financial document requested by Bishop Zurek, including annual financial audits, quarterly reports, management documents.”