Vatican Upholds Fr. Frank Pavone's Appeal

Priests for Life

June 26, 2012

We are happy to announce that the Vatican has upheld Father Frank Pavone's appeal and has declared that Father Pavone is not now nor has ever been suspended. Father Pavone remains a priest in good standing all over the world.

We were confident all along that a just decision would be made by the Vatican's Congregation for the Clergy. While we fully agree that Bishop Zurek has rightful authority over the priests of his diocese, we also see the urgent need for Father Pavone to be allowed to conduct his priestly ministry outside the diocese of Amarillo for the good of the pro-life movement.

With regard to all inquiries relative to Father Pavone's status and the Diocese of Amarillo, we will continue to be as transparent as possible and place all communications and press releases on our public website. In this way we can best respect the rights and privacy of all concerned, particularly ecclesiastical authority and communications which are intended to be confidential at this time.

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34 Comments

Sandy Corbin says:
8/7/2016 12:34:45 AM
It was a pleasure donating to this wonderful cause. However I must say I feel strongly against your method of requesting further donations. I am referring to your sending a single dollar bill how many babies could have been saved? With the thousands of dollars you sent out? Please do not send me any more money, while requesting a donation from me. I will pray for Priests for Life and its wonderful work. Please consider getting new council for advertising, and fund raising.

CM Matthews says:
10/27/2014 11:33:02 AM
I contacted a number found at Priests for Life, and I left a message. After weeks a man called; rude, and told my husband who answered the phone he was going to help me make out my will. WRONG! Father Pavone; Priests for Life was mentioned in the previous will and I now want to update it. My husband is furious at this response and wants nothing more to do with Priests for Life. unless I can find someone to take the time and assure him it isn't a paid fund raiser. Otherwise Priests for Life is out.

Fred and Jane Hengel says:
7/2/2012 5:48:04 PM
Roy, In reply to your question about the bishop Zurek using the Alter of the Lord as a mailbox. I was present last November at the Disciples Of The Lord Convent with my wife to visit Fr Pavone. That day happened to be on one of the bishops letter on the Alter days. We personally saw the Letter and were shocked beyond belief. I was informed this happened two times before mid November last year. As petty as this bishop appears, to me, I will not give any more details. I do not want to cause any possible repercussions. I can assure you that the Vatican was informed. Fred and Jane Hengel

Dan says:
7/1/2012 10:48:11 PM
It should be noted that Fr. Pavone is still getting a new assignment, with each attendence of pro-life events requiring permission from his bishop. Which is fine by me. A bishop has every right to pick where his priests serve.

Rodolfo says:
6/29/2012 10:03:43 PM
Nowadays, the priesthood is more concerned with the political movements, than to spread the real message of the Gospel. The Gospel is about life but, in addition, it is about spreading the Word of Christ which is the conversion of souls to the Gospel. It sounds very Christian when Father Pavone stands for the sanctity of life. However, the Gospel goes long beyond this very crucial issue. The Gospel comes first and everything else would be given to us. The first mandate of our Lord is “go and baptize in the name of the father, the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…” the Gospel comes first because you cannot fight against the enemies of life if you not proclaim the name of the Lord Jesus.

CMS says:
6/28/2012 8:55:02 PM
The bishop's website reads: In its decree of May 18, 2012, the Congregation for the Clergy has sustained Father Frank A. Pavone’s appeal of his suspension from ministry outside the Diocese of Amarillo and his appointment from me on October 4, 2011 as Chaplain of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in Channing, Texas. Father Pavone is to continue his ministry as chaplain until further notice. As a gesture of good will, I will grant permission to him in individual cases, based upon their merits, to participate in pro-life events with the provision that he and I must be in agreement beforehand as to his role and function. All other matters are outside the purview of this statement. Amarillo, Texas, June 20, 2012 +Most Rev. Patrick J. Zurek, STL, DD Bishop of Amarillo He so publicly put into question the handling of Priests for Life funds, I would have expected an equally public address stating that these issues have been investigated and concerns have been resolved.

Lois says:
6/28/2012 9:27:13 AM
Allelulia!

Kim says:
6/28/2012 8:21:09 AM
Thank God that Father Pavone can continue his important work in the pro life ministry!!! Priests for Life and Father Pavone are on the frontlines battling for the Sanctity of Life. I wish more priests were like him!!!! Pray for all involved. Pray for the unborn. Let us all increase our focus on the advances of the Pro Life movement because that is what Father Pavone stands for!!

Sal Rizzo says:
6/28/2012 12:27:36 AM
Wonderful news! God has blessed our pro-life movement richly with Fr. Pavone. Vive Don Bosco, Father!

Roy says:
6/27/2012 10:46:32 PM
@ Fred & Jane Hengel: I understand what you are saying and feel your pain about praying for the bishop, but what do you mean about your last statement? "Someday I would like to ask Bishop Zurek why he chose to personally communicate with Fr Pavone by having the sisters at the convent, where Fr Pavone was exiled to, place a letter on the Alter before Fr Pavone celebrated Mass there." Are you saying that this bishop used the Alter of Our Lord as a MAILBOX? How did you find out about this? How good is your source? Does the Vatican know about this? If not someone should let them know. This is what angers me! Please tell me that you are not going to let him get away with this.