STATEN ISLAND, NY – Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, has issued the following statement:
“For the past several years, my Ordinary, the Most Reverend Patrick Zurek, Bishop of Amarillo, has given me permission to do the full-time pro-life work that I have done since 1993. In 2005, I made a public promise in a Church ceremony in Amarillo, presided over by a Vatican Cardinal, that this full-time pro-life work would be a lifetime commitment. That’s a commitment I promise to fulfill without wavering.
“This past week, however, I received a letter from the Bishop insisting that I report to the Diocese this Tuesday, September 13 and, for the time being, remain only there.
“I am very perplexed by this demand. Despite that, because I am a priest of the diocese of Amarillo, I will be obedient and report there on the appointed date, putting the other commitments that are on my calendar on hold until I get more clarity as to what the bishop wants and for how long. Meanwhile, I continue to retain all my priestly faculties and continue to be a priest in “good standing” in the Church. The bishop does not dispute this fact. Rather, he has said that he thinks I am giving too much priority to my pro-life work, and that this makes me disobedient to him. He also has claimed that I haven’t given him enough financial information.
“Now, although Bishop Zurek is my Ordinary, he is not the bishop of Priests for Life. Each of our staff priests has his own Ordinary, and the organization has an entire Board of Bishops. We keep them all informed of our activities, and of our financial audits.
“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—even entire check registers! In fact, on June 20, 2011, Priests for Life received the results of its independent audit examination for the year ended December 31, 2010. The organization’s auditors issued an unqualified audit opinion indicating that the financial statements “present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Priests for Life, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America”. 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. Priests for Life has been completely transparent with Bishop Zurek and any other bishops who have requested information regarding our management and finances. Indeed, we have 21 bishops and cardinals who sit on our Advisory Board, and they are kept fully informed about our finances.
“Therefore, in the interest of preserving my good reputation as well as protecting the valuable work done by the Priests for Life organization, I have begun a process of appeal to the Vatican. This process aims to correct any mistaken decisions of the bishop in my regard and to protect my commitment to full-time pro-life activity for my whole life. We are very confident that the Vatican will resolve this matter in a just and equitable fashion. Because of this confidence, we are not currently making any changes in any positions at Priests for Life, or in any of our projects and plans.
“I also want to point out that, according to the canon law of the Catholic Church, because I have begun this process of appeal to Rome, the Bishop’s order that I return to Amarillo has been effectively suspended. Nevertheless, because of my great respect for this Bishop and my commitment to be fully obedient at all times, I am reporting to Amarillo this Tuesday, in hopes that I can sort this problem out with the Bishop in a mutually agreeable and amicable way.
“I would like to note that, unlike other organizations, which have sometimes been critical of the Church hierarchy or other institutions within the Church, Priests for Life has always remained 100% supportive of the Bishops, never criticizing any Church official, and always acting as a megaphone for the Bishops’ pro-life statements. Moreover, we serve dioceses and their priests and laity without asking for any speakers’ fees, and distribute millions of pieces of pro-life literature to dioceses completely free of charge. We do not seek parish collections, and we work to reinforce in each diocese the local pastoral plan which the bishop wants to implement for pro-life activities.
“We are committed to going forward with that same spirit, regardless of the recent action taken by Bishop Zurek.
“In the interest of full transparency, I would like to make it known that I do not receive any salary or financial remuneration from either the Diocese of Amarillo or from Priests for Life. Priests for Life, as a Private Association of the Christian Faithful, does provide for my residence and the expenses associated with the ministry, but these expenses are very small. Though, as a diocesan priest, I have never taken a vow of poverty, I have basically chosen to live in that fashion in solidarity with the pre-born children we are trying to protect—who are the poorest of the poor.
“I want to be clear that I do not harbor any ill will towards the Bishop of Amarillo, nor do I foster suspicions about his motives. I am merely confused by his actions. It is impossible for me to believe that there is no place in the Church for priests to exercise full-time ministry in the service of the unborn. We do it for the sick, the poor, the hungry, and the imprisoned. But where in the Church is the place where a priest can exercise the same kind of full-time ministry for the children in the womb? That is the question that is at the heart of my own calling.
“I am confident that we will be able to resolve this difficulty soon, without any harm to either my own reputation and without any slowdown of the valuable pro-life work we do at Priests for Life.”
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Praying for you Father and will illicit the help of my friends to bombard
heaven with prayers
will pray! pray! pray! Go with God Father Frank….
Praying for Father Frank, Bishop Zurek and Priests for Life
Bishop Zurek has already cause harm to you and Prists for Life by calling into question your integraty and asking the faithful to stop donating to PFL. “If you judged it to be prudent, I would like to ask that you would inform the Christian faithful under your care to consider withholding donations to the PFL”
You told us once Father to make sure the devil knows your name..I bet he has yours on speed dial on his phone!!
I will devote my divine Mercy chaplet to you..
I just read the Bishop’s letter. This is insanity. It sounds like a lot of ‘puffed up concern’ about nothing. So I ask….why now Fr Frank? Why does a Bishop try to derail a successful PRO-LIFE leader and organization 13 months before the next election? Instead of say, SUPPORT whole heartedly the efforts, dedication and mission of PFL? Sorry, but it smells of politics.
From what I see and hear on EWTN, I would never be concerned about your spiritual health. From what I read, the finances of PFL are audited and transparent. From the Bishops letter I gather he feels his toes have been stepped on and he wants you to bend and kiss them for as long as he sees fit. It’s a sorry state of affairs when being well known and doing a good job for Pro-Life isn’t acceptable in some circles of our church. God bless you Fr Frank and may sanity prevail. Our prayers are always with you.
PS Fr Frank….maybe it’s time for you and PFL to report to Rome directly. If the Catholic church in the good old USA can’t handle a successful Pro-Life organization (seems like it’s too much for Amarillo) maybe they can handle Pro-Life success better in the Vatican/Rome. God help us in the USA if we have no room for successful Pro-life leaders and PFL.
Where there is smoke, there is fire.
I remember when Cardinal Egan asked Father Frank to help in a parish in the archdiocese for which he was ordained a priest. He refused the Cardinal’s request and went to Texas. Kinda reminds me a little of Father Nicholas Gruener and Father John Corapi. These guys get a “little too big for their britches”.
Dear Father Pavone and all those working with Priests for Life,
The history of the Church is abundant with saints who have have shared the cross of Christ as they shared His ministry. May the suffering you endure and the good that you do spiritually hasten the protection of God’s innocent children.
Dear Fr. Frank:
I will pray for you that this situation will get resolved, and all the good work you have done so far will not be stopped or tarnished…
Fr. Tom Ganley.
Dear Father Frank Pavone,
Even the Apostles of Christ blocked the way of moms who bought their children to have blessings from Jesus. So don’t fear Father, Jesus is there to help you…..
To, Dear Fr. Patrick Zurek, Bishop of Amarillo,
Dear Father, each second which you are taking away from Fr.Frank is simply supporting the killing of the unborn.. With painful mind, I am asking you Father, how can you knowingly limit Fr.Frank from saving the millions….Please cancel your orders, dear Father….Please do not let yourself to be the reason to make pain to Fr.Frank’s heart….let him concentrate on his worldwide mission…..He is the living legends of the century just after Pope John Paul, Fr. Padre Pio and Mother Theressa….
Mathew K.J
Kerala, India
http://www.facebook.com/kjmathew
+91-7200799693
Dear Fr. Frank;
In this day and age where our Church has taken a beating and the blame game goes on and on; it’s refreshing to hear your voice, enjoy your Mass’,
and thank you for your hard work and dedication.
We need more Priests like you with a backbone!
Peace & Blessings.
Kevin Clark
I am praying for you during this ordeal. May John Bosco intercess for you, as he had difficulties setting up his ministry for the young and needy.
Father Frank,
May God continue to bless you for being a voice for the voiceless unborn while far too many of the clergy remain silent.
Fr. Frank,
I will keep you in my daily prayers. Stay true in your obedience to your Bishop, and trust that our Blessed Mother is watching over you..I’m sure She must count you as one of Her favored sons, for the work you have done to protect innocent life.
Dear Fr. Frank
Please know your pro life advocates and friends from near and far are praying for you and your beloved Bishop.
Today in NZ is the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows. Of course yesterday was the Triumph of the Holy Cross. It is not by chance that this burdensome cross has been given to you this week. Lovingly embrace the cross that our Lord has given to you and be sure that our most Blessed Mother Mary is very close to you at this time.
Through your obedience and humility TRUTH will prevail!
Blessings from NZ
Sandra
I am praying for you, Fr. Pavone. And I know that the Lord will give you the wisdom, strength and courage you need during this trial. May the LORD God bless you and keep you close to Him, always.
Dearest Father Pavone: As the curtain of the Book of Revelations unfolds we see the prophetic words of St. John come to life in our lifetime. To that end, we see how the Church is, and has been, persecuted. However, we also will see the reward to those who have followed Christ’s teachings. May our Precious Lord send His ministering angels to be with you and Bishop Zurek at this very difficult time. Remember dear friend, just as Christ told his disciples, “He is The Way and The Truth”. You both, along with all those who serve our Blessed Lord, in particular those serving the
Cause of the Unborn, are being offered in our Divine Mercy Chaplet daily. Godspeed in all you endeavor.
Ha !!!! St. John Bosco will be the LAST to connect himself to Pavone since Pavone LIED about Salesian !!!!!! He’s GONE. He’s OUT. Thanks be to God that babies can go BACK to being the “business” of Gerber and not Pavone. I am CERTAIN that one day Bishop Zurek could be CANONIZED for this. I applaud the Bishop who stops this fraud !!!!!!
Nice information, many thanks to the author. It is incomprehensible to me now, but in general, the usefulness and significance is overwhelming. Thanks again and good luck!
I am praying for you Father Frank, so that this matter will be over, and you can get back to the important work, which you do for the pro-life cause. I have confidence that you have done things properly and well.
Fr. Frank, I have been inspired your great pro-life leadership for many years. You have saved many lives and guided many followers to join the pro-life movement. But I am saddened by what is happening today. Admittedly, I have very little knowledge of the current situation, but I do percieve that you have a unique opportunity to defy the culture of our nation in an entirely new way. You have built a great thing in Priests for Life, but it is not yours. It is God’s. I am sure you don’t need me to tell you this. Also, as Archbishop Sheen wrote, the priest is not his own. In the end, the only thing we have to offer God is our will, and only that because He allows it. So our vows are everything. I urge you to submit in humble docility to Bishop Zurich even though it may be the hardest thing you ever had to do. It is unimaginable the victory such an action would have against the culture of death that is so dominated by individualism and selfishness. Just as the victory of the Cross has saved the world that doesn’t even know it yet, your humble obedience would rock the modern culture. But more importantly, I firmly believe that fidelity to our vows is our path to holiness. You have been given a very great gift in this cross that has presented itself to you. I urge you to take your place with great Christians such as Padre Pio and others who were asked to submit to superiors even if the requests seemed absurd. I know that God will guide you in your decision, and I pray that the guardian angels of all the children you have saved will help you.
God Bless.
We in Dallas and Austin Texas support Fr. Frank Pavonne in his full-time ministry in the service of the unborn. He is one of the foremost and forefront in the ProLife movement saving and protecting thousands or even millions of the unborn for almost two decades.
He has help many others and organizations in promoting the ProLife and the fight against abortion. Most people like him and prolife organizations are being attack and misled by dark forces but God always prevail in the end. We need Prolife leaders like him and I believe our Blessed Mother needs him too.
God Bless.
Regardless of all these opinions and judgments, no one has done more to save innocent children from the onslaught of abortion than Father Frank Pavone. Contra factum non argumentum. A fact is a fact. It is unfortunate that in all this negative discussion, this fact has been omitted. Father Frank, thank you for all you have done and all the children you have saved. Heaven knows what we choose to forget.
Father Vince Inghilterra
Dear Fr. Frank. When I heard the news on EWTN yesterday night, I was devastated. Non another scandal, not another very prominent priest, I prayed. Nevertheless my trust in you is unshaken, and I will pray for you and your mission. Please try and evaluate your position carefully, our beloved Church has had enough scandals and rebellions. Sometimes it is a request from God that we show our humility and give up something we have endured so much to bring to life. I dearly wish we had here in Italy somebody so fiery and dedicated to the cause of the unborn babies. In the meantime, may God bless you and help you in this predicament.
Lidia
Dear Fr. Frank,
We know from the lives of the Saints how often the cross comes from within the Church. I pray that you will carry this cross well, and that God will save more babies through your cross. God Bless You and your work.
Dear Fr. Pavone, I just read this awful news yesterday in our local diocesan paper. All I could think was the devil is surely having a party these days, gloating over the wonderful priests that he has tried to silence, and the bishops are playing right into his hands. I just want you to know that I will keep you in my daily prayers and masses. God bless you Father for all the wonderful work you have done in speaking up for the innocent unborn, and the helpless people like Terri Schivo.
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I will devote my divine Mercy chaplet to you.
For all supporters of Fr. Pavone, please make your support known directly to his boss Patrick Zurek, Bishop of Amarillo, TX:
pzurek@dioama.org
It’s great to hear from you and see what you’ve sent up to. All of the projects look great! You make it so simple to this. Thanks
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