Frank Pavone, the leading Catholic anti-abortionist, is suspended from Priests for Life?

[Brettongarcia]

Finally!

As of September 2011, Father Frank Pavone, the leading Pro Life voice in Catholicism ... has been suspended from public ministry, and apparently from Priests for Life. He has been recalled to Amarillo Texas. By his bishop.

His bishop expressed concerns about financial accounting at Pavone's organization, Priests for Life.

This is a major victory for Pro Choice; Pavone and Priests for Life were the world's most effective opponents of abortion, by some measures. And they were the major voice for what many Catholics felt was an obsessive, "disproportionate"ly "one issue" Catholicism. That focused on saving the lives of embryos ... but neglected and even attacked health care for children and adults.

This is a great victory for Pro Choice. But we need to make sure it sticks.


http://www.patheos.com/blogs/theanchoress/2011/09/13/fr-frank-pavone-facing-restrictions/

[debsman]

1. Pavone information only partially true

Pavone has been suspended from ministry outside the Diocese of Amarillo, which means he cannot travel or perform his priestly duties anywhere else until Bishop Zurek gives him permission. He has not been silenced, however, and has not been removed from his leadership position with Priests for Life. As a matter of fact, he has been very active in the media since September, giving radio interviews over the phone, sending out press releases on various subjects, writing regular blog entries, and--of course--disseminating numerous fundraising letters.

There are indeed financial questions about PFL, which appear to be more a matter of incompetence than malfeasance, but to date they have not been resolved definitively. Pavone has appealed his suspension to Rome--where he has powerful friends--but the Vatican has not yet spoken. He hasn't been very respectful of Bishop Z, though, and Rome usually doesn't take kindly to priests--no matter how influential--who consider themselves more important than their bishops.

My suspicion: Rome doesn't want to make Pavone's supporters angry, but they think he's a loose cannon and don't trust him, so they'll just keep him cooling his heels in some Amarillo convent until bankruptcy and inertia take their toll both on him and on his organization.

[Brettongarcia]

2. Thanks for additional material. This IS new territory; that's why I left a question mark at the end

This territory is shifting every day. That's why I put a question mark on it.

But it seems that Pavone has been slowed down a bit: apparently he can't leave Amarillo, to go to Priests for Life headquarters, last known to be in Staten Island, NYC? Though perhaps, the headquarters and status of the organization is being shifted?

Many questions here indeed. But it does seem Pavone has been dealt a body blow; though he is not quite fully out?

This is a ball still in play; and information is shifting all the time.

Pavone's friends likely include conservative Archbishop Chaput of PA, no doubt; as well as Burke, in the Varican, to be sure. As well as the (anyonymous? International Theological Commission?) author of the abortion section of the current, c. 1997/2000 catechism; which asserts that abortion is firmly bad. Though that catechism quotes the heretic Tertullian, as one of its authorities.

See my Wordpress blog, to see a 700-page theological working paper. Arguing that Pavone- EWTN-type anti-abortionism, is not really consistent with the theology of the Church. That it amounts to a new - if popular - heresy, or false doctrine.