Prominent Catholic priest and inflammatory leader of the anti-abortion movement was removed from the priesthood by the Vatican, according to a letter from Pope Francis’ representative to the United States, which was obtained by The New York Times.
Frank Pavone, who leads human rights activities organization Priests for life, and was once a religious adviser former President Donald J. Trump was fired from the clergy on November 9 with no possibility of appeal, the letter says. The letter contained a statement of removal, called laicisation, which he said had been approved by the Dicastery. for clergy, Vatican office.
“This action was taken after Father Pavone was found guilty in canonical proceedings of blasphemous messages on social media of stubborn defiance of legal instructions of his diocesan bishop,” it says.
The letter did not indicate these messages, nor disobedience, nor the name of the diocesan bishop. Mr Pavone is not reply on request for comment.
Punishment of A senior Catholic anti-abortion activist comes at a dangerous moment. for movement as it is plans it future after losses in midterm elections and fight to unite Republicans around issue. Mr. Pavone’s anti-abortion activism was not mentioned. in letter like reason for his dismissal.
move also comes one month after Catholic bishops of The United States has said it will redouble its efforts to end abortion and elected new leaders who expected to continue conservative inclinations of hierarchy.
A ubiquitous figure at anti-abortion rallies and fundraisers, Mr. Pavone is quite prolific. on social media. In his own words, his anti-abortion activism won in support of some church leaders over years, but has also led to clashes with other.
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He also famous in anti-abortion movement for his relationship with Norma McCorvey, “Jane Roe” of Rowe v. Wade, whose case was brought to the US Supreme Court. decision almost 50 years ago to secure the right to abortion in Constitution. Ms. McCorvey later converted to Catholicism and spoke out against abortion. cause at least for time. This summer, the court annulled the right.
Mr. Pavone was devoted to Mr. Trump and was among those who questioned results of elections 2020.
His dismissal was first informs conservative outlet Catholic News Agency on Saturday night.
On live broadcast on social media shortly after the report, Mr. Pavone stated that he had not received any communication from the Vatican about his expulsion. In a leather jacket over priest’s collar, he said he would continue his work for against abortion cause.
“I’m being persecuted in church for decades, decades. it’s nothing new for me,” he said. “They just not like in work i do for these babies.”
He seemed to mean comment on Twitter since 2020 in whom he called “supporters of that damn loser Biden and his morally corrupt, America-hating, God-hating Democrat party”.
“I used the word GD in reply to someone in tweet and for what are they want to throw me out of priesthood, he said.
The suspension letter makes no specific reference to this incident or to an unrelated abortion.
Online, Mr. Pavone seemed to compare his removal to an abortion.
“In every profession, including the priesthood, if you protect the #unborn, you will be treated like them!” he wrote on Twitter on Saturday night. “The only difference is that when we are ‘interrupted’ we continue to speak loudly and clear”.
Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the Pope’s representative in the United States, referred to as the Apostolic Nuncio, addressed a letter dated December 13 to the bishops, warning them of in decision from the Vatican. The New York Times received a letter from a man who had access to this, but who was not authorized to share This.
“As you wish to know, Father Pavone was very public and a tall figure bound with Movement for the right to life in United States,” says Archbishop Pierre. “His removal from the clerical state, therefore, may be a question of interest among believers. Pending of that potential interest, the attached statement regarding Father Pavone is provided for your information”.
The statement said Mr Pavone had been given “sufficient opportunities to defend himself” as well as “several opportunities to submit to authorities.” of its diocesan bishop.
“It was found that Father Pavone had no reasonable grounds for his actions, it says.
The statement said, future of Mr Pavone role the priests for Life would be completely up to a group which he described as “not a Catholic organization”.
In his broadcast, Mr. Pavone said: “You can’t cancel this message, you won’t turn off this message. It will only grow. We’ll only get louder.”
During the 2016 presidential election, Mr. Pavone posted a live video on facebook in that he planted an aborted fetus on something like an altar. Diocese of Amarillo in Texas, who oversaw it at the time, announced that it had opened an investigation into Mr. Pavone as result. The diocese did not respond to a request. for comment on Saturday night.
Mr. Pavone publicly confronted with bishop of diocese of Amarillo, Patrick Zurek, several times over of the year. autumn of 2020, the diocese released a statement saying that Catholics should ignore Mr. Pavone’s rhetoric about the elections, including comments online about withholding absolution of sin from catholics who voted for the Democrats.
“These messages do not match with The teachings of the Catholic Church,” the diocese said in a statement. in statement at the time. “Please ignore them and pray for Pavone’s father.
After the report of his dismissal, abby johnson, former Planned Parenthood director who became an anti-abortion activist, defended Mr. Pavone on Facebook as a faithful priest and longtime mentor.
“He brought me to church,” she wrote. “I AM wish all the clergy were as eloquent as he was.”
Eric Scheidler, Managing Director director of Life Action League with a long relationship with Mr Pavone said it was “hard see organization are called priests for Life led by a man who is not recognized as a priest by any local bishop.
Mr. Scheidler said Mr. Pavone’s removal could alarm his fellow activists at a difficult time. who is a Catholic.
“This time of real introspection and challenges for pro-life movement when we try rebuild after backlash for capsizing of Rowe vs Wade,” he said.
