Does anyone know about the ACTS movement and Bishop Zurek’s role in that movement?  Particularly the financially aspect of the ACTS movement and how for the most part it is financially unaccountable to anyone.

This is insane.  Have you seen the Bishop’s letter?  (Go to www.spiritdaily.com) The Bishop sounds like he is flexing his authority about financial matters which are transparent but are being used as a club anyway.  Also, the bishop sounds like he thinks Fr Frank is getting too popular to give the bishop the obedience he deserves.  Is this some kind of power play?  Of course, it’s done in the spirit of ‘concern’ for Fr Frank’s priestly life and the bishops responsibility over that.  Forget the issue of the most successful PRO-LIFE movement in the Catholic church bar none.

Does anyone else smell the stench of politics?  Why now?  Could we be too close to the next serious presidential election?  Could Fr Frank be too outspoken about Catholics voting against Life issues and supporting a GUNG HO PRO-Abortion president in error of Catholic teaching?  Sorry, but this smells to high heaven to me.

Isn’t this the same bishop who brought charges against Fr Corapi?

I thank God For Priests for Life and for the hard work and leadership of Father Frank Pavone. Our Holy Priests are under attack. Let us withold all judgements and make a commitment to pray for Father Frank and all our priests and Bishops. I pray that God’s providential care for Fr. Frank and the PFL ministry be manifest and that this situation would be quickly resolved amen.

Please Bishop Zurek recind this order.  At this time when so much progress is being made in the great battle to defend the yet born babies to play Bishop petty politics with Fr. Frank.  For the true Love of God see your way to defend these defenseless babies and let Fr. Pavone do his Grace filled mission.  The damage you have already done is sad and cause for concern of your concern and priestly duty to defend Life. Recind your order Bishop Zurek before anymore damage to Fr. Frank’s good name and cause.  You have been provided all the audits!!!

I question who are all these conerned clergy and lay people clamoring at Bishop Zurek’s door(although he was not available for your interview). I am a donor and will continue to be because I have personally met Fr Pavone and he truly has Christ’s work for life at heart. He keeps me posted on why money is being collected and how it was spent. May Christ continue to move PFL forward in victory through this persecution and the ones to come. Is it any coincidence that 2012 elections are coming up while this bishop is trying to curtail Fr Pavone’s hopping around from diocese to diocese?
How transparent is the diocese of Amarillo on its financial transactions?
The ACTS movement,?? May Christ indeed shine His light!

Just a couple of thoughts.

At a time like this prayer first, then discern the fruits of the man.

Fr. Pavone is my friend. I have known him for years. The organization has been audited and everything is kosher.

Whatever is going on, God will work His will to bring about a greater good for those who love Him. 

Meanwhile, lets de-fund Planned Parenthood. Call you congressman and demand hearings on the financial improprieties of the nation’s leading killer of children.

more on the subject http://jakubczykonlife.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately this is what commonly happens in the Catholic Church when good people live sold out lives for Christ. A few centuries ago he’d probably be tried, executed and then made a saint a hundred years later. Pray for righteousness and holiness to reign once again in the priesthood.

It’s always the same story. Priest gets power, priest gets money, priest forgets his faith. Why do we never see it coming? It’s the same mechanism that kept the Bishops from taking the hard steps required to stem the homosexual sex scandals. We are very critical of the Bishops because of this, and yet we do the same things ourselves! We pretend that our priests are not in trouble when they obviously are. We know they are only human. We know we must keep them from temptation. This Bishop is taking hard steps to protect this priest. Thank God for strong Bishops.

Father Pavone was gracious enough to preside at our wedding, a storied 18 years ago, and despite having known him from the day of his ordination (what an amazing first mass, I might very well add), I can ask without any prejudice that if the books are open, submitted in full for inspection, and compliant with every law Caesar has to proffer, what other possible proof can one ask for that PFL is above board? If PFL is invited to the grand old Archdiocese of New York, I’ll be the one on the roof of the Empire State shouting a welcome aboard!

I hope these allegations aren’t true.  I have been contributing quite a bit to them, and was a little annoyed that I’ve been getting letters every week or so pleading for more.  The last one claimed they needed to raise a certain amount of money, and they hoped I’d contribute some so they could give this as a gift to Father Pavone.

I was a little suspicious then.  If it had been EWTN, no problem, but now reading this article Fr. Pavone pretty much states they aren’t in the red.

If this is so, I wonder why so much pleading for funds!  If there’s any fraud going on here, I’m going to be very upset.  I always try to give to worthwhile organizations, and I though that this surely was one.

It sounds a lot like what Mother Angelica had to endure when EWTN became too popular for the Bishop’s taste.  Yes priests and those in religious life need to be obedient to their superiors, but those superiors in turn need to be supportive of those in their care.  Where is the pastoral concern here?  I simply do not see it present in this situation.  We need to pray for our Bishop’s and their vocation as caretakers of Priests and Religious.

@ Glenn Lego:

No.  Fr. Corapi’s ordinary is Bishop Mulvey of Corpus Christi.

@ Jeanne:

Amen.  It seems clear to me that we need to be patient, withhold judgment (of all parties involved) and wait for more information to come out.  Based on the extremely divergent statements made by PFL and bishop Zurek, there’s obviously more to the story.  Perhaps there have been misunderstandings, miscommunications and honest differences of opinion that can be sufficiently reconciled/healed with some sustained, thoughtful dialogue.  Let’s pray that’s the case.

Yes it really is “...inconceivable that in the Roman Catholic Church there is no place for a priest to commit himself full time to pro-life ministry.” Just who are the accusers of Father Pavone? Nancy Pelosi” Mz. Sebelius? Another Kennedy? Cuomo? Planned Parenthood? 40 millions of dead babies blood cry for “Social Justice”. 40 millions of mothers; mostly low income have had their souls and psyches mutilated and call for “Social Justice”. Every election eve there is ALWAYS something that “trumps” Abortion; this year it is the “immigrants among us” issue.

If the American Bishops not only do not speak the Truth in the face of the unspeakable evil of Abortion but also go out of their way to suppress those who do the stench of moral hypocrisy will be too much for even the “mop” of an ersatz social justice for the immigrants among us pablum to sop up.

When will the Bishops just say clearly and plainly say that any Politician that will murder babies in and out of the womb can NEVER claim to be on the right side of REAL social justice and help the Democrat Party to cleanse itself of the ugly ulcerous sores it can no longer hide from anyone???

Pray for our good clergy. Pray more for our bad ones.

This has the sound of an envious bishop who needs to take a dose of humility. None the less, we should pray that he receives the grace from God to take that envy and resentment out of his heart and allow PFL and Fr Frank to continue one with theur mission. What a pity.

I thank God for anyone who can stand up for life in a country that has lost its way on this issue. I do not understand why the church does not have this as a full time ministry. We need all our priests to stand up for life and speak out at Sunday Mass about this issue. This seems to be all about the money, Its takes money to fight this awful evil. Does anyone think that Planned Parenthood does not have millions to fight us in court at every turn. I do hope our holy Pope Benedict will take up this matter as soon as possible. Praying for all involved!

Sounds like a rerun of Bishop Fulton Sheen.  The case was taken to the Vatican and Pius XII sided with Bishop Sheen.

“Sheen could also be difficult at times when his authority was challenged. In the early 1950s, he and Cardinal Spellman, a very proud man, engaged in a bitter feud largely over the dispersal of Society funds. The struggle led to a private audience before Pius XII, who sided with Sheen. In a rage, Spellman terminated Sheen’s television series, made him a local outcast, and drove him from the Archdiocese. In 1966, Sheen became the Bishop of Rochester.”

“In October, 1979 Sheen met John Paul II in the sanctuary of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Thunderous applause greeted their embrace. The Pope privately told the 84-year-old Archbishop that he had been a loyal son of the Church. Nothing could have been more pleasing for Fulton Sheen to hear. He died on December 9, in his chapel before the Blessed Sacrament.”

http://www.fultonsheen.com/Archbishop_Fulton_Sheen_biography.cfm

It is not unusual for bishops to have an exaggerated view of their own power and authority and to see themselves as able to act in ways that are not respectful of the whole Church, refusing to accept the limits placed upon them and the boundaries of their unique roles.  With great love for the office, it must be admitted that it is often populated by impoverished souls whose attraction to power brought them to the office in the first place.  It is a shame that good bishops stand out from a crowd of mediocre, ill prepared men without vision.  That lack of understanding of their true paternal role in the Church leads them down the only path left to them: the exercise of naked power and blind control.  This man’s intemperate language is a window to the passions that seem to rule him and which will not be sated by any measure of submission by Father Pavone.  Only destruction will come of this path unless the Vatican puts a bit in his mouth!  Fr. Pavone and others are being way too polite and respectful of a very evil decision by this bishop.  Those who know Church history have seen these base actions before and know them for what they are.

This whole situation saddens me: For the pro-life cause and the Church as a whole which needs no more body blows.  That being said, did this issue just pop-up or have there been rumblings of problems for a while.  If that is the case, Father Frank should have dealt with it earlier, before it blew up to a national news story. PFL may not have to obey Bishop Z., but when Fr. Frank went to Amarillo he said he would.  Obedience is a tough pill to swallow whether you are the laity or a religious, but there is no humility without it.

Please recind your order Bishop Zurek as you are doing greay damage to The Pro-Life movement at a time of so many victories, large and small defending the defenseless yet born babies.  Recind it today, especially if ego and pride are involved.

It is always about the MONEY!  Maybe Jesus can return and clean sweep as HE did the temple.

The Smoke of Satan is alive and well in the Church and is seeking the removal of all orthodox priests.

This Fr. Pavone incident now sheds a whole new light on the accusations against Fr. Corapi.

Notice how no bishop ever “removes” any of the hundreds (if not thousands) of heretic and dissident priests in the Church?

Rome needs to step in and clean out the American episcopacy NOW!

Bishop Zurek may be on to something.  You can look up PFL financial statements and see that their head guy running the charity for Fr. Pavone was paid in the ballpark of $200K and claimed to work 80 hrs per wk.  Most of their funds were used for travel expenses for Fr. Pavone (the face of the organization) to speak about the Gospel of Life around the country and the other funds shuffled off to post-abortion ministries.  What did the guy do for 80 hrs per week for such a high salary?  People were donating to PFL in droves thinking their money was going to the awesome goal of ending abortion, but much of it was being intercepted to provide the manager with a luxurious lifestyle.

To Glenn Lego,

No, it’s not the same bishop.

The devil is alive and doing quite well in our Church. PRAy! PRAY! and PRAY! +JMJ+

After reading all information available to me, I question the Bishop’s real interest in this situation.

The Bishop has brought RENEW to his diocese. If anyone does not know the results this program brings, think “border line new-age. Check it out.

Father Pavone, my prayers are with you and PFL.  God bless you.

Has anyone noticed that these problems occur often in the Church, with various apostolates, lay and otherwise. Usually the issue is money. I am trying not to be uncharitable, but it seems to me that bishops see a “pot of gold” that they can control or utilize when these apostolates become financially successful. Much like the government thinking it is entitled to people’s earnings. I will continue my monthly contribution to Priests for Life until such time as the Vatican may direct otherwise.

As a friend of a former candidate of the MEV program that PFL once had, I can only testify that much of what the bishop has said is true, at least on the part of obedience and pride. From my friend’s perspective, he had said that for a Catholic Charities type of organization, PFL seemed to live a little too rich. While it was understandable that much of their money is spent on speakers to fly them around the country, many times Fr. Frank did not stay at a rectory or a family’s house like in the early days but in hotels or in isolation. Living in isolation is a big weakness for Fr. Frank’s part and which he does to this day on Staten Island in that office of his. Why? Because he lives there. Not in a rectory nor in a monastery. The other problem was that Fr. Frank seemed to put the priesthood/Mass second and pro-life first. There were times that he did not celebrate Mass in the chapel while he was at the office except for the monthly pastoral meetings. One pastoral associate told my friend he had said that he was very skeptic about this. Supporters of Fr. Frank claimed he said it early in the morning (3am or 4am) but only God knows the truth.
My only feeling is that Fr. Frank does not want to be a priest but a full-time activist. Perhaps he discerned his vocation wrongly. With being a priest, there is obedience. He should have been a doctor, businessman, a lawyer or a politician.
One former employee wrote some disturbing things back in 2006 on Free Republic. Eerily, much of what the bishop is accusing Fr. Frank is very much written on this blog.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1742470/posts

This is just an attack on the unborn by a very evil man. This could go on for months. In the time spent “auditing” (frankly distracting) Father how many lives will be aborted-murdered Bishop? No God fearing Bishop would stop Father’s campaing to protect the innocent. Of course the Orthodox Catholics know all thsi and know a fraud when they see one. This Bishop does not fear his God, but rather fears not being the center of attention. The letter from the Bishop is pathetic.

Bishop Zurek says, “I would like to ask that you would inform the Christian faithful under your care to consider withholding donations to the PFL until the issues and concerns are settled.”

Withhold donations until “issues and concerns are settled”?  Gee!  Does that mean that the bishops will urge the same for the chequered Catholic Campaign for Human Development?  Just wondering….

Corapi is under the Bishop of Corpus Christi.  Same state, different bishop.  His predecessor, Yanta, was very pro-life.  I was under the impression that Zurek is also, but this situation puts that in doubt.

Somethings wrong here and I do not think its with Fr. Pravone. This is really discouraging. I will continue praying for the priests for life. I heard that EWTN is considering withdrawing Fr. Pavone’s TV appearances. I do not know how true that is but if it happens I will seriously consider withdrawing any monetary support from EWTN if they are so willing to give up on our priests so easily.

Is this the same bishop that brought down Fr. Corapi?  Once is a mistake.  Twice is a habit.  I think this bishop has a very bad habit.

Just looking at the face of this situation this is another stupid move by an incompetent bishop in publicly mishandling this case. Sorta the same as Father John Corapi. I would say this case is motivated by jealousy of success. Lord knows we have enough problems without putting our priests on the defensive publicly based what appears nothing but shear pride one of the 7 capiatal sins. Shape up bishops or ship out as they say in the military.

I’m confused as to why the Amarillo bishop did not just solve this privately with Fr. Pavone and all of the direcors at PFL BEFORE trumpeting a letter to every bishop in America.

A letter to every bishop in America about a high-profile figure like Fr. Pavone was sure to become public and tarnish the priest and his organization. The pro-choicers (e.g., front page at HuffPo) are having a field day with this.

I also thank God for Priest for Life. The underlining sin of our culture is the killing of the unborn at 4 thousand a day.
Priest For Life are clear in their response to this sin.  The United Catholic Bishop’s office should finance pro life work.  Why is the American Catholic Church leaving this work to a small organization like Priest For Life?
That seems to be the real problem. Shame on you Bishops for not doing your job and kicking the little guy who is.

The words of this line…“Priests for Life, which operates is a secular corporation and engages in political advocacy.” is probably the center of this mess. I always understood that priests were not allowed to be involved in political advocacy. Exactly what direct political advocacy is Priests for Life involved in?

P.S.

Its always money.

When the USCCB becomes more transparent about its own fiscal policies ( anyone recall the Acorn debacle?)then it might be able to make the case Bishop Zurek is attempting. It is right and proper for a Bishop to reguire obedience from the priests of his diocese. From what has been stated here it would seem Father Pavone has given Bishop Zurek all the financial information requested. It is certainly available and out there in various venues e.g. tax returns, etc Could this demand for obedience look more like “muscle flexing” on the good Bishop’s part in order to quell the pro-life movement from becoming an obstacle on the road to victory for the Democrats in 2012? At any rate, we may not have ALL the facts, but the ones above given, if accurate, do make this Bishop look the part of the heavy hand. Let us pray that other Bishops do NOT follow thru with Zurek’s request to “punish” the Priests for Life by a with-holding funds critical for the pro-life cause.  I doubt after the scandal of the “cover up” by the Bishops during the clergy sex-scandal,that the Bishops have the clout with the faithful they enjoyed in the past. Shall we say their credibility is somewhat in question? Using their own policy for preferential option, the sanctity of the lives of the un-born far supercede the “offended” Bishop’s pique! I wonder how the late Father Peyton and his world famous Rosary Crusade would succeed in today’s tempermental hierarchial stratosphere? Would the USCCB’s ego be able to tolerate Peyton and his place on the world stage?

Bishop Zurek is his Ordinary, and must be obeyed; Fr. Pavone opened this can when he bailed out of NY to avoid a parish assignment.  Fr. George Rutler was ordered to a parish assignment by Cardinal Egan as well - he obeyed and continues to provide terrific service to the Universal Church.

To borrow a legal term, Fr. Pavone’s sudden desire to return to NY smells like form-shopping.

The teaser to the article says his faculties have been restricted, but I do not see that, but his wings are clipped having to stay in the Amarillo diocese…...  The difference between Fr. Corapi and Fr. Pavone will be Fr. Pavone’s obedience.  I am reminded of Padre Pio, Bp. and Fr. Fessio.  When wrongly accused obedience won out.  Fr. Frank should continue to be the exemplar of a holy priest, and we must pray for him to be strong against temptation to retaliate in the press.  The cause is not bigger than his calling.

This is not the former Ken Roberts or John Corapi that we are talking about. This is about a priest who has brought attention and clear focus to the killing of defenseles human life. I can fully understand that the Bishop, may want to have a paper trail of where all the money goes,but to recall him back now, especially when the big thrust is on for the 40 days of life campaign at the Plan Parenthood facilities is a joke. It takes a great amount of money,to combat the evils of government and pro-choice supporters. What irritates me,is that we have so many confused Catholics who have been mislead in the past 30 to 35 years, because of the confusion of Catholic teaching. For the most part if some Bishops would have watched what was going on in their diocese,and taken appropriate action to stop the liberalized teaching by individual priest and nuns, we would have a more unified position as Roman Catholics, on the matters pertaining to abortion,catholic poiticians positions in supporting murder, life,catechism,divorce,pornography,liturgy, and priest abuse and good old church teaching,that life would be so much easier for the Bishops. Every sunday, we see Catholics running late for mass,dressed in shorts and crew shirts with sandals. Cell phones going off and chewing gum up to the very moment they receive Holy Communion. Woman dressed in tight clothing and high rising shorts and some liturgies different from parish to parish. Oh!Lets not forget departing from mass with the Eucharist still in mouth exiting to get out early. Where’s the Bishops on these matters. Maybe some should be called to Rome as well,and give an account on their personal actions or lack of, that appear to be bigger than the Vatican’s. There may be more to this story that we are not privy to. And yes, Fr.Pavone should be accountable for all the particulars of his movement. Again no one person should be bigger than the church. They persecuted Mother Angelica, for defending sound teaching of the church. As she said, ‘some in the church would like to see her out’. Sometimes as much as I hate to admit it,that with all the financial difficulties the diocese’s are dealing with because of all the fallout from some crooks who hid behind the collar,‘excuse the pun’ but, with all the money the PFL have taken in; you wonder if it’s the case,of “robbing Peter to pay Paul”.  I know in the end the Holy Mother Church will be victorious,but for now it’s really taking it’s punches.

@ Sandy, no it is not the same bishop, but it IS quite sad to see the bishops in the US so reluctant to stand for the faith publicly, and allow the lambs in their care to be led to spiritual slaughter while suppressing the priests who ARE visibly trying to keep the flock in God’s will. I think it’s a case of pride, and I’m sure glad these bishops weren’t around in the first century…the persecutions would have stopped them from ever letting the church get started!

Bishop Zurek is giving pro-choice infanticide supporters a field day in mocking Fr. Pavone and Priests for Life, Huffington Post a prime example of the “culture of death” liberal media types…not all but Huff post, fer sure.  Please help Archbishop Dolan!!!
Recind your order Bishop Zurek and let The Vatican justly judge Priest for Life!  We so desperately need the work of Priest for Life and the American Counsel of Bishops does not provide the enthusiastic Christ centered leadership as Priest for Life does for pro-life causes in every nook and cranny of this country.  Recind the order…please and thank you Bishop Zurek, especially if ego and envy are a part.

I certainly agree with Deb of Tucon I bet planned parenthood and other abortion organizations are in this plot to get the leader of prolife out of circulation because he is doing awonderfuljob.Please pray for our country the chaplet of Divine Mercy every day .Thank you Martha Roy

Wow!  I’m sorry to read this.  Priests for Life provides a wonderful ministry.

This seems like a case that may take awhile to sort out.  Plus some “my word vs. yours” in the mix.

“The deeper issue, he suggested, was his ability to continue working in his chosen apostolate . . .”

One doesn’t become a secular/diocesan priest with the expectation of choosing one’s own apostolate.  You work in the apostolate to which your Bishop assigns you, in accord with your promise of obedience to him and to his successors.

Someone should have explained that to Father Pavone a long time ago.

I myself support PFL, but I do wonder about a man like Fr. Pavone who uses every mass to talk about what he wants to talk about, not the readings of the day.  I am always disappointed when he celebrates mass on EWTN because the readings are ignored, unless they fit in with what he wants to talk about.  He goes on and on about himself and his organization, and personally I think he talks much too much about himself, especially when it is at mass.

I know nothing of the bishop here, but I do believe we owe him the respect a bishop deserves, and should reserve judgement.  Many here condemned Fr. Corapi’s bishop, only to find out he was right.  Please don’t jump to conslusions here.

Priests and orders have full time apostolates in many different ministries.  Why would Priests for Life and Fr. Frank Pavone come under such scrutiny?  His chief canonist cites over 40 financial documents which were turned over to the Diocese of Amarillo.  In prayer, Fr. Pavone will be invited back to the Archdiocese of New York and this matter will be resolved quietly between the Vatican and Priests for Life.  This is a most distressing development.

A Bishop isn’t supposed to affirm a priest’s desire for a certain ministry. He can affirm or not - it is the Priest’s duty to obey; that is the only way he - the Priest - can be sure he is following God’s will. We all have ‘desires’ to do good in some particular way but that doesn’t mean that is what God wants from us. If Fr. Pavone has had his finances checked throughout the years, then maybe there is another issue. However, no mission, no matter how great, how needed, should depend upon one man or woman.  We see what happened with Fr. Corapi and Fr. Eutenauer…fame, like power, can corrupt even the saintliest of men and women but humble obedience can keep them and their mission safe.  Let us pray that God’s will be done in all this.

Lord of Truth, and Source of All Life, please bring forth the truth in this conflict, so that all affected by it may be made aware of Your Sovereign Power, Love, and Peace.  So much in our culture of death spreads fast and furious, attacking those who dare to stand up for life.  Please open our hearts to You, so that we may be ready and willing to receive the Truth and carry out Your will in our vocations. 

I have seen the Holy Spirit bring some amazing healing through the individuals who work for Priests for Life and their supporting organizations.  I don’t presume to know whether or not Fr. Pavone is innocent of some or all of the accusations, but I do know that God can and does bring good from every situation when His Children remain close to Him, especially in the midst of suffering.

Veritas:  “Gee!  Does that mean that the bishops will urge the same for the chequered Catholic Campaign for Human Development?  Just wondering…”

Of course not, because that’s their pet project.  We had a good and holy bishop driven out of my diocese (Scranton) by the liberal catholics over the fact he is adamantly pro-life, who even showed up at political actions in certain parishes that were not acting in accordance with Church teaching on life.  So what happens?  The normal CCHD Sunday campaign was transferred to another Sunday in January.  They get not one red cent from me, and anyone who donates to them is unfaithful, period.

It seems that the obvious problem is that this bishop is not supporting Father Frank’s important work of protecting the innocent. He seems more interested in wanting to control the funds (& Father Frank also.) Father Frank already gave him what he requested. What more does he expect?
The money that has been sent in as donations from people who care about the innocent victims of abortion was sent in confident trust. We feel we can trust Fr Pavone- he is representing us & the Church through his most important work that he has done for years. his resume speaks for itself.
who are these people the bishop is so afraid of? who are the people who are supposedly wanting an accounting?  i never heard anyone question priests for life.
It also costs millions to run any good organization who has to publicize , use the media & travel to continue to fight the good fight against abortion. How does this bishop think that some of the abortion clinics get closed? It was by prayer & hard work by people like Father Pavone & through donations by people who believe in his work. ( that the bishop is obviously not doing.) he sounds like a jealous child in that letter.
how silly to speak about having fears for the future when he can’t detail what they are. he asked for an accounting. and is making a bigger deal out of it- maybe to call attention to himself? & to bring negative attention to a holy priest?
But Father Frank is doing a good job in every waking hour -he is in support of the innocent victims while many in The Church look the other way thinking “It’s not my problem.” when it’s everyone’s problem. Bishop-God will remind you someday when you see Him- how it WAS your problem & you worked against the valiant efforts of PFL. When we die- all of our titles are stripped away. we ill only be seen as sinners who are asking God for Mercy. So if a bishop is arrogant here & can’t humble himself to fight alongside God’s soldiers in the trenches to save babies (& not question a holy priests motives)- his pride will proceed him. You know what God thinks about pride.  What does the bishop hope to accomplish by limiting where Father Frank can celebrate Mass? Is he trying to squelch his good work by ot allowing him to speak everywhere with the great pro-life homilies he gives? i have hardly heard any other priest speak about sin- let alone abortion.
i saw Fr Pavone on EWTN this week & he was on fire talking about how important it is to protect the pre-born babies & defend pro-life candidates. and not allow anti-life politicians to continue to lie when they say they are working for all the people. (all but the unborn & those who believe in pro-life is what the politicians really mean.)
When you see how many people work for PFL- 9 million dollars is a very small budget. i agree with one of your other commentators- the bishops should be out there fighting the good fight themselves instead of nit picking to cause problems for holy priests who are better leaders than they are. Where are they when Father Frank is standing in the rain & snow praying at abortion clinics, organizing marches, & producing programs that educate & cause people to act in their communities in defense of all human life.? what are the bishops doing to make the world & the church a better place?
The bishops should sell their big mansions & use their menu & limo & hotel budgets they waste at the bishops conferences (where they speak in theological ways that normal people can’t understand)- and actually do something actively to protect the unborn. not just talk about it. how about a 100 bishops march on washington?
        Jesus must be crying over the arrogance of some bishops who flaunt their titles as if someone gave them some power they don’t deserve. Their role is to guide & direct & many of them aren’t even doing that. Some shirk their duties when it comes to protecting the innocent, some look the other way when we report liberal priests abusing the liturgy , some even promote issues that are against Church teaching. Well Bishops Pride is a deadly sin. And Jesus is working with Father Frank who is humbly protecting the little ones.  Father Frank is not only concerned with the protection of babies- but also that of elderly bishops & against all euthenasia. You should be grateful. His work is valuable & unappreciated tho he has done it as a volunteer for years. He takes no money from the Amarillo diocese to educate & work tirelessly to save babies everywhere. i applaud you Father Frank. You are a hero &  in my prayers. As for the bishop who is seeking to take you down- God will take care of it.  i am praying for his conversion.The Truth always wins in the end.
Father Pavone i hope you will offer it up to Jesus for now. God Bless You Father Frank & all good catholics who are doing all they can to protect the babies God made.
(some of them are potential future bishops)

Priests are meant to be priests. Fr. Frank keeps stating that he is called to full-time pro-life work. Well, maybe he should not have been called to be a priest but a lay activist or when he was discerning MEV he should have stepped away from PFL and done some things on his own and not have PFL on his mind.
Fr. Frank maybe a very business and relational person but he is not a very community person, which in my opinion was another reason for the MEVs implosion. He isolates himself from people. Perhaps he should have been a hermit.
The bottom line is: I think he is not taking his priesthood seriously.

Just another bishop too damn ignorant to see the big picture.

HOGWASH; Bishop, please leave this priest alone to attend to his mission
of protecting life!!! I believe this may well be one of God’s Top Priority, since after all, HE IS, our CREATOR !!! Thanks Be To GOD !!!

Now that hunting season for Catholic priests has opened, when is a single American bishop going to crack down on a single dissenting or heretical priest? Oh, you say only orthodox priests can be hunted? Well, now it all makes sense.

This situation saddens me.  Unfortunately, many of our bishops, mine
included, are lukewarm when teaching on abortion, homosexual acts, and
that marriage is between a man and a woman.  The ministry of Father Pavone, is one which has faithfully been out-spoken about the church
true teaching on abortion.  He has ruffled the feathers of many especially
around the time for voting.  Hmmmm, I wonder….

“...his chosen apostolate,” is a dead give-away. We, as ordained clergy with a promise/vow of obedience to our bishop/religious superior are free to suggest where we would like to work.  However, we do not choose our apostolate.  That is an action of the Holy Spirit manifested through the actions of the legitimate superior.  And we certainly don’t tell the superior what information we will or will not provide.  That is arrogance!

Finally, there are alot of questions about PFL’s management.  My question right now is:  Why isn’t there a succession plan in place for when Fr. Pavone inevitably leaves?

Sounds more like a clash of egos, especially on the part of the bishop. Unlike Father Corapi who I knew as a fraud from day 1, Father Pavone has always struck me as “the real deal.” I hope everything works in his favor and in the favor of his ministry for the good of the Lord’s mission.

PFL has helped shift public opinion and elections toward the pro life cause. I have to wonder if Deb is right in the 1st comment when she suggests the closeness of another election cycle may be what’s driving this situation.

I’ve been burned by putting my trust in the past in an apparently orthodox religious foundress and a well known priest who were later suppressed by their local ordinaries, so I will not criticize the bishop in this case until more is learned. However, I am deeply disappointed that the bishop has publicized his differences with Fr. Pavone and brought possible scandal upon him.

When bishops have had differences with pro abortion politicians and priests in the past, they always claim they deal with such people in private first. (e.g., Bishop Niederhauer and Nancy Pelosi, Kennedys and their bishops). Why not work this out in private in this case, especially since Fr. Frank is cooperating and obedient?

Considering the liberal/Democrat bent of many of our bishops and their diocesean newspapers, one must wonder if politics does play a huge part here. The Democrat Party champions abortion, gay marriage, and embryonic stem cell research, so crippling PFL would certainly help the Dems in coming elections.

I’ll pray my suspicions have no merit and that this whole situation will come to a good conclusion.

In the meantime, I have a question for anyone who is in the know on such things: does a diocesan priest (Is Fr. Frank diocesan or an order priest?) sign a contract with a particular diocese and its bishop, pledging allegiance until the contract expires? I’m curious what the procedure is for a priest wo move from one diocese to another, and whether one bishop must “release” a priest to another’s authority or what? Obviously there must be some restrictions to keep a priest in bad standing from jumping around the country to avoid accountability, but at the same time there must be a way to avoid unjust persecution as well. I find the bishop’s threat to withdraw Fr. Frank’s functions if he appeals to Rome to be a flagrant violation of Fr. Frank’s rights. I found the item above on Archbishop Fulton Sheen and his disputes with Cardinal Spellman to be extremely interesting.

Let’s pray for all concerned, especially the unborn who will lose a powerful advocate if PFL is hampered. I trust God will bring some good out of this sad situation.

If I were a betting person, I would bet on Father Pavone.  He does more than 20 bishops combined.  AS a convert to the church, the biggest problem I see in the church is the Bishops.  Most of them fail to speak out on important matters because “they are too busy.”  A statement may take as much as 5 minutes and they don’t have 5 minutes?  The pride and arrogance displayed by the bishops when they are televised in Rome is sinful.  Remember - pride is a sin!

If EWTN takes Father Frank off, it is as if they are afraid.  This is not what is in the bible, the bible has “be not afraid” several times [I can’t say exactly how many, This was Pope John Paul’s favorite quote.

Catholic people awake.  I pray you please remember as someone pointed out above, the USCCB secretly gave 9 million $$$ to ACORN over 7 years (or was it 7M over 9 years?... doesn’t matter)....the Bishops in the USA used our donations to support their misguided politics again.  Don’t you realize, those millions helped elect the most GUNG HO Pro-Abort President in our nations history?  THINK ABOUT THAT please.  Many of them are the same Bishops who said NOTHING when Roe vs Wade transpired.  Do you think they had a change of heart and fully support PRO-LIFE now suddenly?  Did you hear them speaking out about the murder of Terri Schivo in great numbers? NO!  And why is that I ask myself?  I don’t know the answer to that question but I do see that the USCCB agenda is not always the best for the Catholic Church and unborn babies.  Don’t EVER FORGET the millions our Bishops donated to ACORN.  Don’t think I’ll see the USCCB rally to protect PFL anytime before the next election.
And now, this outrageous attack on PFL and it’s spokesperson. It sounds like the Nancy Pelosi crowd helped write the letter attacking Fr Frank.  I for one are sick and tired of these wrong minded Bishops!  I pray for them but I wish they would all retire to a life of prayer and reflection ASAP dear Lord. 
Well Bishop Zurek, whether intended or not, you have done great work this week for the PRO-CHOICE crowd.  God help you.

Pray.

There is corruption in the Church because all men have fallen natures. The devil is always stirring up mankind against one another. And the obedience issue in the church has always been a power play. These mere men who become bishops and cardinals are an ambitious lot. They certainly are not called based on humility. Look at the original 12 were they not always doing the same thing? Our Lord has been putting up with this garbage from the get go! Men will be men no matter who they are…. and so will be women!

Ugh - here we go again.  It’s enough to make me want to give up.  But, before all this internet stuff - were there celebrity priests?  We didn’t hear every detail and we couldn’t look up financial records without physically going to some government building and asking for them.  I don’t know who or what to believe anymore.  Sigh.

www.postabortionwalk.blogspot.com

I e-mailed, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
the following:

Dear Pope Benedict,

I am deeply disappointed that Bishop Zurek of Amarillo, Texas, has ordered Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life, to return to the diocese of Amarillo and remain there.  Stopping this necessary and vital pro-life work is a black mark for our Catholic Church in America.

Please issue a statement immediately affirming that canon law of the Catholic Church, because Fr. Pavone has begun a process of appeal to the Vatican, the Bishop’s order that he return to Amarillo has been effectively suspended.  Any delay damages respect for our Catholic Church. 
 
May the Holy Spirit guide you!

Please e-mail Pope Benedict:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

EWTN needs to keep Fr. Pavone and bring back Fr. Corapi and tell the bishops that when they enforce Canon 915, EWTN will listen.

Second-guessing the understanding and authority of the bishop of Amarillo in this case is intellectually hazardous at best, and defiant of the Church’s authority at worst.  Fr. Pavone took a vow of obedience to the bishop of Amarillo, and all his successors.  It was not a vow of obedience, unless a bunch of faithful decide it’s unfair.  This Apostolic succession of bishops in Amarillo is guided by the Holy Spirit.  Romans reminds us that all things work for good for those called according to God’s purpose.  Go home Fr Pavone, until your bishop says go back to Priests for Life.  The whole apostolate of PFL does not rest sole on his shoulders, as the Holy Spirit guides this too.

Prayer is the only response to this.  Two priests recently “fell from grace”, one of them a “rock star” of the pro-life movement.  No one wanted to believe it at the time but hindsight shows the Bishops in both cases acted rightly.  Prudence and charity, everyone.  May Fr. Pavone be cleared of all suspicion, may Bishop Zurek be shown to be right minded in his zeal to protect the faithful.

I am very shocked by this news, which I found this morning on ‘Spirit Daily’. 

I do like Father Pavone, but sometimes he does get kind of bombastic.  I know he is passionate about the pro-life cause.  But I get a little perturbed when I keep seeing requests for donations in my email inbox, which I end up deleting anyway.  I don’t think I’ve given any donations for Priests For Life (I might be wrong, though; I may have sent a small donation once when I had a little more money than I do now). 

He might have ruffled some episcopal feathers somewhere along the line. 

I think we all need to step back, ‘cool it’, and wait for a solution.  I am glad that Father made an immediate appeal to Rome.

There is great opportunity in this issue.  And not one about the Fr. Pavone vs. Bishop Zurek issue.  The issue is to join stronger than ever and bring an end to abortion.  Fr. Pavone lit the candle, we must make sure it does not go out. Whether you are Christian or other, it was written in your hearts when you were born to love all life, from conception to natural death.  Satan is having a great time with this, he has gotten you to spew unkind words, and taken the focus off the mission.  Stay sure footed and remain resolved to end abortion. This is not a “church effort” but a private individual one.  Christ will win, you will see Mercy.  Put your energy in a line at the local abortion clinic, gather friends in for prayer.  Ask your families and friends to come gather for an evening with the Blessed Mother and Rosary.  Keep looking up.  The only person we should be concentrating on is Christ our Lord who gives us Life and Truth. Our Lord is very aware of what is happening. Have faith.

I’ve noticed and read a few Deacons post on this board the authority and obedience of the Bishops…hell-o read the quotes and reports of the last 24 hrs.  Fr. Frank reported to Armadillo and even though he has the right to continue with his Mission because of his appeal to The Vatican, he choose to honor and respect Bishop Zurek.  So you 4 or 5 Deacons who have chimed in holier than thou comments, get your fact straight.  Envy, pride and ego are a dangerous elixir…We need more outspoken Priests of Orthodox non- USA Catholic liberal theology to take up the cross as Priest for LIfe have done.  Quit supporting gay marrage,Catholic politicans who support abortion etc.  Holy Mother Church and Her teachings is not a buffet where we can pick and choose.  Bishop Zurek…Recind your order!!  Pax et Bonum

“...if it were the result of my failure to correct Father Pavone’s incorrigible defiance…”

Um, I don’t think that means what the bishop thinks it means. A failure to correct the defiance which is not able to be corrected??

I couldn’t agree more with one of the above comments concerning Fr. Franks Homilies on EWTN. I am in the UK and watch the EWTN mass every day. Over the past week it feels like the Mass has been turned in a political debating chamber, with every Homily inevitably returning to the same topic, the readings notwithstanding. In fact on one day our TIVO which is set to record the Mass, cut off in the middle of the Lord’s Prayer, the Homily having gone on for so long. Leave the politics to the politicians.

Responding to posts about Fr. Pavones EWTN homilies. EWTN invites Fr. Frank from time to time to celebrate the Holy Mass because part of his homily will be directed toward defending the defense-less yet born babies.  If you have an issue with defending ALL human life, perhaps you should take a look at that in prayer.  Fr. Frank minces no words on this Greatest of All Causes in this modern sinful world.  It’s not for the faint of heart or shallow believers who want to pick and choose the teaching and Canon Law of Holy Mother Church.  In the UK how resolute is The Church on abortion, how resolute are you?  There is no middle ground!  So quit whining when a homily focuc’s on defending human life.
Pax et Bonum

Dear Father Pavone please obey the bishop, this is the correct thing to do.  If Jesus wants you to continue in Priests for Life, he has the power to do it.  Just obey and be patient.  This can be a spiritual test. Pray and obey

Clearly money seems to be the root of this issue.  Because the fruits of the work of Fr. Pavone and Prists for Life are abundant it seems the bishop wants to get his hands on some of it.  Unlike the Diocese of Corpus Christi, EWTN and John Corapi, Fr. Pavone has not demonstrated in any way his straying from his priestly obligations.  I pray that Fr. Pavone demonstrate to God, the Church faithful and public that he humble and obedient, unlike Corapi.  I hope that he will seek the avenues that are available to him and that he know that we are praying for God to bring to light all that needs to be revealed.  If he is innocent it will be proved.  If he is guilty he can go the way of errant priest who seem to get caught up in the money-making web the Devil spins for them.

Every Catholic is accountable to their bishop.

As my family, friends and I have done, send a message to our Pope at:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)    Why?  Because I just realized, this affects all Pro-life issues and the entire movement in the USA and maybe the world.  I mean this is BIG.  Intended or not, this very public attack by the Bishop of Amarillo and the public bickering that will follow is gonna bring down low PFL.  Think of the ammunition it will give the planned parenthood people and others that support abortion and are extremely Pro-choice.  It occurred to me, the Pro-Life movement is under attack NOT JUST PFL and Fr. Pavone.  It is traumatic to all of us Pro-Life people in the Church.  And yes, I am upset and think this is just wrong.  The Bishop needs to retract his comments publicly, release Fr Pavone back to his ministry at PFL and conduct a very private and respectful investigation of whatever makes him feel better but with the utmost consideration for PFL and all of us that support the Pro-Life Movement.  This public airing of alleged laundry is not right or called for. I just realized, I resent it.  I think it disrespects the entire Pro-Life universe.  Maybe it’s because my family and I are very Pro-Life.  How dare the Bishop do this?  Attack the best of the Church from within?  Don’t we have the entire world attacking the Catholic church?  Now we have our Bishops doing it publicly too?  And someone tell me how can one unsupportive Bishop singlehandedly rock the entire Pro-Life boat?  It’s not fitting.

I don’t like the multiple letters and occasional calls requesting additional donations either but the BOTTOM LINE is Priests for Life is trying to end legalized abortion in America and the $10 million they have collected is miniscule when compared to the Billion Dollar abortion industry that currently has the full backing and support of the Obama administration, the liberal press and TV media and Hollywood type celebrities plus the billionair prochoice liberals like Gates etc.

Father Pavone is “the tip of the spear” and has done more to bring prolife people together than any other person or group and the work he started will not go away.

Today’s abortion industry is thrilled to see any discord in our side and would love to divide and conquer but we will win in the end and it won’t be long and Father Pavone will be listed as one of the reasons.

Father - my prayers are with you and your gang at PFL.

John Lamprey

It’s all politics.Texas is the home of the Bushes and Rick Perry.And other fine Texas politics.

“Bishop Zurek suggested there ‘have been persistent questions 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 moneys are being used.’”

I’m emailing the USCCB and its president, Archbishop Dolan, requesting a copy of their financial statements since the inception of the USCCB, be put up on the Internet for us to see.  That would go back to about 1982 or so, which was shortly before they, USCCB, changed the definition of “Prolife” to include Prudential Judgment issues of “Social Justice” in about 1983 or ‘04, which made the issue of abortion just one more “life” issue they were concerned about in our culture.

Please do the same.  Let’s demand to see the USCCB financial records and how much it is costing us to have their staff of 350 employees in Washington, D.C. making policy for us Catholics and our country.

There are 21 Bishops and 4 Cardinals on the Executive Board of PFL! Why is the good Bishop of Amarillo only charging Father Pavone with financial malfeasance and/or lack of accounting? For those pleading for Father Pavone to obey his Bishop and return to Amarillo, please note that he is doing just that. Father Pavone has been a thorn in the side of the Church hierarchy in the past. So was Jesus Christ in His time with the Scribes and the Pharisees. I have heard Father Pavone give several powerful homilies during the EWTN mass and fail to see how anyone ( unless you are Pro-Choice Democrat) could be offended by his message. As many have pointed out here, let’s use this fracas as an opportunity to unite and carry on the good work of Priests for Life and become more active than ever in supporting life in all its forms. That, along with prayer, is how we can best serve the command to love all, including our enemies.

So obvious that the high profile priests in direct combat with satan are being hit directly.  Remember this is a spiritual war against principalities and powers! In the Screwtape Letters, by CS Lewis, we see hell chuckling, plotting and planning, as direct hits are made by the devils.
The bishops are playing right into satan’s hands. He wants

division and he is getting it.  “You will know them by their fruits”.  The fruits of Priests for Life are good, abortion is murder!

The previous and excellent Fr. Corapi was sharing with us all the specific tactics of the devil.

Fr. Eutenaeur was an exorcist dispelling satan. 
HOW OBVIOUS!  Satan is out to divide and conquer. 

PRAY, Pray, Pray!
This is spiritual warfare at it’s finest.  We need to stand up for our shot down priests.  There is waaaaay more to all this than meets the eye.

The bishops must have some door opened to thedevil, maybe ego, pride or? 
They ought to be speaking against the evil and instead are holding hands with the devil helping him aim! 

Wake up everyone!

James Michael Wichlacz SFO said:
“Responding to posts about Fr. Pavones EWTN homilies. EWTN invites Fr. Frank from time to time to celebrate the Holy Mass because part of his homily will be directed toward defending the defense-less yet born babies.  If you have an issue with defending ALL human life, perhaps you should take a look at that in prayer.  Fr. Frank minces no words on this Greatest of All Causes in this modern sinful world.  It’s not for the faint of heart or shallow believers who want to pick and choose the teaching and Canon Law of Holy Mother Church.  In the UK how resolute is The Church on abortion, how resolute are you?  There is no middle ground!  So quit whining when a homily focuc’s on defending human life.
Pax et Bonum

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/amarillo-bishop-recalls-father-frank-pavone-restricts-his-faculties/#ixzz1XyrEOmVF”

The homilies are to be used for teaching about the readings, and from time to time other items the bishops find important.  But the readings should never be ignored.  Fr. Pavone preaches on the readings when they fit his agenda.  Besides, let’s face it, if you watch EWTN for the mass you are more than likely strongly pro-life.  Nobody does a better job on homilies than Fr. Pacwa.  His homilies put most other priests, including Fr. Pavone, to shame.  Fr. Pavone’s work is just and good, and very necessary today, but the mass is not his personal playground to let us know how he feels about things.  EWTN has other shows for that.

Posted by Diane on Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 10:29 AM (EDT):
@Diane, you attributed the following quote (the quote following the word “line”) to someone, I am not sure who.  You wrote, “The words of this line…’Priests for Life, which operates is a secular corporation and engages in political advocacy.’ is probably the center of this mess. I always understood that priests were not allowed to be involved in political advocacy.”  You, then asked, “Exactly what direct political advocacy is Priests for Life involved in?”

Diane, PFL is not involved in “direct political advocacy,” they are involved in direct SPIRITUAL advocacy.  Abortion is not a political issue, it’s a spiritual issue.  PFL are explaining what Intrinsic Evil is, something that the Church teaches can never be good, and are holding a mirror up to Christians, especially Catholics, who profess to believe God is the giver of life, and pray for His will to be done on earth, and that they not be led into temptation, but delivered for evil.  Abortion, and those who perform, advocate, or support it are endanger of losing their eternal life because of this Intrinsic Evil.  PFL understands this and are trying to get us to realize that we are the reason abortion-on-demand remains the law-of-the-land because of how we implement, or fail to implement, our professed beliefs and prayers into our culture.

A majority of Catholics are especially responsible for abortion continuing because they ignore what they say they profess to believe after the Gospel in Church on Sundays, and what they pray for standing before the Holy Eucharist.  God cannot be pleased with us. And people wonder why our country has the troubles it has with no hope of things ever changing? PFL and its contributors are victims of a spiritual sycophantic church and that includes the clergy at all levels, as well.

For those commenting on this article who want Archbishop Zurek to rescind his penalty against Fr Pavone, you can contact him directly via his website: http://www.amarillodiocese.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=150

Let your voices be heard, people and let him know that he is causing great harm to Fr Pavone’s cause against the unborn.  For those who think Fr Pavone is being disobedient, he’s NOT.  He is appealing his decision directly with the Vatican in according with his rights under canon law . By the way, by formally petitioning (appealing) to Rome, the penalty of the Bishop is suspended so Fr Pavone has no legal obligation to return to the diocese (canon 1353).  However, Fr Pavone is returning to Amarillo, even though he’s not required to.  Should the Vatican side with the Bishop, then of course, Fr Pavone is required to obey.  Let’s remember this before we start posting saying he’s being DISOBEDIENT.  He has the right to appeal as a matter of justice…just like you and I would be able to do. His reputation and good name are being sullied in the secular world and in the minds of some uneducated Catholics who don’t know how these things work.

Juergensen is RIGHT ON TARGET. Yes, it does shed a different light on Fr. Corapi and Fr. Eutenaeur!  Yes, why are the heretics and dissidents and pro homosexual and non pro life priests not being removed?  Yes, ROME! Step up to the plate and clean up the American Episcopacy. . .NOW!

All the fine orthodox prests are under attack by satan.  I sent the other email but had to send this to CHEER ON JUERGENSEN. . .HE/SHE IS RIGHT AND I AGREE!

I also believe we do need to email the pope as Joel and Deb did.  Let us speak out and barrage them with our outrag!  People don’t seem to be outraged anymore and satan loves that!  Let us speak out for our good priests, men of God.  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

This assail upon a completely innocent, holy, irreproachable saint is atrocious. Fr. Pavone is a savior for millions, how dare the Bishop attack his character and ministry. This is a call for the billions of prolifers to fight for Father and demand he be free to save millions again. Enemies are increasing day by day and now we know Bishops are working against Father.

We’re making such huge progress in reversing Roe v Wade and now they are so threatened and want to shut us down so they can profit as always.  And they dare say Father has an ego, how can they blashphemy? Father never ever touts himself in any way. He never sought any recognition and rebuffs any special honors. He is the most humble priest in the world! God is with Father and will protect, bless and overcome these enemies. Nothing can stop Father from saving millions!!!!

I find it a little humorous but mostly disappointing that people write posts complaining that orthodox priests are being attacked and yet they go on to attack the bishop, the laity for the way they dress and the church. Time will tell if the bishop was prudent or not. There are lessons to be learned from this no matter the outcome. There should be rules against priests running corporations, even ones that are for a good cause. The temptation is too great and it is best to be run by the laity. Also, a diocesan priest should at least live in the same dioceses that he is responsible to. He shouldn’t be on his own out of his diocese without a bishop.  A diocesan priest should be serving the people as a priest by doing priestly ministry. The pro-life movement is not more sacred than the sacraments. If the priest can make time to assist the pro-life movement, that is great. But it can’t be the other way around. But a priest isn’t supposed to be a politician. Father Pavone should have either changed dioceses back to his residence of NY or established a religious order which would have included the rule of poverty.

when our church needs all bishops and priests to fight the demonic tenticles of liberal “social justice”,this shows up! if the bishop of amarillo tx recommends you withhold contributions to pfl,then lets withhold contributions to our parishes until this problem is resolved! i wonder what will happen then? something really stinks here! in my opinion, the catholic church in this country is chock-a block full of weak kneed leaders who are scared to death to upset the “financial applecart” by speaking out against anything that “offends”. the catholic church needs to lead us to god,not the other way by being afraid of what the “world” thinks. pray god helps us!

I am rather disappointed in several ways.  This is an argument about money.  It’s hard to know which side is correct.  Yes, a priest takes a solemn promise (vow?) of obedience to his bishop.  Yet, could it be that a bishop is jealous of a priest who has built a successful (financially and other ways) ministry?

This ARTICLE ITSELF is just a bit disappointing. The author writes: the bishop “advised his fellow bishops to direct the faithful to withhold further contributions” Yet the words Bishop Zurek wrote were neither ‘advise’ nor for the bishops to ‘direct’...  Bishop Zurek actually wrote:“I would like to ask that you inform the Christian faithful…to consider withholding donations” (So he is asking, not ‘advising’, and the request is that the faithful be informed to consider withholding, not directed to withhold.)
I do applaud the Register for including the actual text of Bishop Zurek’s letter.  Nonetheless, many readers who do read the fist three sentences in this article many well not get to the very end of the Bishop’s letter.

I would have expected more equitable and factual reporting in the Register.

Many postings sound as suspicous as I am about these recent accusations by 2 Texas Bishops.  Fr. Corapi & Fr. Pavonne are both very out spoken, truthful priests.  Ever read “AA-1025”? If you haven’t pick it up.  The book is about the communist infiltration into the church probably since (at least) the early 1900’s.  I can’t help but wonder if that is what we are seeing here with two very effective priests who have empowered the masses with Truth.  Let’s not forget Fr. Pavonne has converted some very powerful (previous) Pro-Choice advocates.  Pray for our priests/Bishops/clergy to stay loyal to the teachings of Christ and strength, humility, and Truth as they may are called to undergo the test.  Pray WE don’t lose our voice in their absence.

To Rosemarie kury: My replies in parenthesis-
Rosemarie Kury says:I hope these allegations aren’t true. (Me, too) I have been contributing quite a bit to them, and was a little annoyed that I’ve been getting letters every week or so pleading for more (the same here..the emails tone are too aggressive asking for funds).  The last one claimed they needed to raise a certain amount of money, and they hoped I’d contribute some so they could give this as a gift to Father Pavone ( I think the gift was to cover the amount required to cover pending expenses- $676K I think- but I already give monthly so I didn’t give any more- but I believe PFL encourages those who already donate to let others know so they can do so as well - this is not troubling to me as PFL needs money to operate as a national prolife outfit).

I was a little suspicious then.  If it had been EWTN, no problem, but now reading this article Fr. Pavone pretty much states they aren’t in the red (I am not sure..but media operations cost money and when compared to the billions that Planned Parenthood receives, we are literally a David against a Goliath so I’m not concerned about the money per se).

If this is so, I wonder why so much pleading for funds!  If there’s any fraud going on here, I’m going to be very upset (again, me too so let’s hope PFL can release their audits to show everything is above board and the whole problem goes away).  I always try to give to worthwhile organizations, and I thought that this surely was one.
Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/amarillo-bishop-recalls-father-frank-pavone-restricts-his-faculties/#ixzz1Y1YAioNc ( I would also refer to http://www.ncregister.com/site/print_article/30402/ to see PFL response on their financial transparency response to the bishop).

God bless all and may we pray that this situation is resolved in a positive manner.  I do not want this thing to drag on..it should be fairly straightforward.  However, I am concerned that Bishop Zurek, after penalizing Fr Pavone, is now unavailable for comment for about 2 or 3 weeks..this strikes me as odd..you don’t put yourself out in the mainstream media and send a letter to all the US bishops that you are suspending Fr Pavone, then refuse to answer questions with the Catholic media.

National Catholic Register - this is for you - please have an investigation and find out the truth..we don’t need to wait for the Bishop to take his time on this..PFL has lots of programs and responsibilities planned and Bishop Z’s actions have stopped them dead in their tracks (somewhat). If Fr Pavone and PFL is innocent, then let’s move on, if there are problems, then this would be an even bigger loss to the pro-life movement.  May God’s truth be revealed for all to see.

Peace!

One other comment, this whole episode is just one of many events in the life of the RCC and the world, which confirms the Prophecy of Our Lady of Akita about the signs of the times we are living in, particularly the discord within the clergy. (http://olrl.org/prophecy/akita.shtml)

Bishop John Ito, the ordinary of Akita, who approved the events at Akita, Japan said “the message of Akita is the same as the message of Fatima” (http://www.ewtn.com/library/scriptur/flfire.txt).

Let us all pray for our priests and bishops to truly be “Christ-like” and not worldly and be united in faithfully teaching the whole Gospel, including a zealous commitment to end abortion around the world. May He Have Mercy on Us as we do our duty to the best of our abilities-wherever we are and whatever our vocation!

PFL has given bishop Zurek independent audits and even their checkbook registers for the past 6 years…yet the Bishop has failed to acknowledge receipt of them!  What gives here, it’s flies against the very insinuations the Bishop makes.  Amarillo is a struggling diocese financially and this Bishop is not infallable in wanting a piece of the PFL funds.  This smells like quaisi-bribery and intimidation.  The way the Bishop went so public and then asking for PFL contributors to stop sending money is a low point for this Bishop.  What is his pro-life stance?  Is he wishy washy like some others in American Catholic hierarcy?  There is no middle ground…read Blessed Jophn Paul’s writing on the sanctity of all human life.  Even if there are some accounting problems, why go to the nuclear option?  This smells of ego and envy and pride…I pray it isn’t.  Oh Blessed Mother Mary, I pray that this resolves in peaceful loving kindness and understanding surrounded by Love and with Christ Jesus forgiveness for any sinful actions in word and deed in this issue, including my own anger…Amen.  Pax et Bonum…

PRAYER FOR PRIESTS:

Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord,
    Keep them, for they are Thine -
Thy priests whose lives burn out before
    Thy consecrated shrine.
Keep them, for they are in the world,
    Though from the world apart;
When earthly pleasures tempt, allure, -
    Shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them, and comfort them in hours
    Of loneliness and pain,
When all their life of sacrifice
    For souls seems but in vain.
Keep them, and O remember, Lord,
    They have no one but Thee,
Yet they have only human hearts,
    With human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the Host.
    That daily they caress;
Their every thought and word and deed,
    Deign, dearest Lord, to bless.

Our Father… Hail Mary…Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for them.

Do not be angry or bitter - do not be upset or judgemental.  Please pray the rosary for our priests so that they may be in the Will of God.

They allow Satanic abortionists and homosexualists to receive the Holy Eucharist ... They issue documents suggesting Catholics can vote for Satanic abortionist and homosexualist politicians ... They’ve allowed generations of Catholics to be un-catechized and mis-catechized ... They exercise silence and inaction when priests celebrate Mass for homosexuals ... They exercise silence and inaction when priests preach dissent ... But they crack down hard on orthodox priests ... Who are they?

I don’t believe Fr. Pavone has done anything wrong - however, his Bishop wants him to return to his diocese and take up work as a Parish Priest. A Parish Priest is dearly needed and for Fr. Pavone to shun that work, that mandate from his Bishop, is to indicate that what Fr. Pavone does is more important than what a Parish Priest does…so Fr Pavone says he will seek to be incardinated in another diocese where he will be able to do as he thinks best…this is a very dangerous move.  It’s like someone going to different Priests in confession until a Priest is found who will comply with the penitent’s idea of wrong and right…Fr. Pavone is a diocesan Priest and needs to obey his diocesan superior who is the Bishop…he can continue to do pro life work wherever he is.  No one is indispensable in any work, to any mission.  The Will of God is to be found in humble obedience…not in doing one’s own will no matter how glorious and significant that may be.

Thank you Cristina.

Jill Stanek has inside information that doesn’t make the bishop look good in this matter (link below). This pretty much sums it up: “Fr. Pavone’s ministry necessarily conflicts with church hierarchy, because they understandably want to control the message on the Life issue.”

http://www.jillstanek.com/2011/09/breaking-bishop-suspends-fr-frank-pavone-from-priests-for-life/#more-38148

The problem of course is that when most Amchurch bishops “control” the message on life issues, well, there’s not much of a message.

For one who monthly contributes to EWTN as well as significantly to PFL despite some differences with Fr. Pavone or some of his people on pro-life strategy, the sad surprise-problem means the following needs to be done as we are in THE most crucial election cycle of our generation with some damage likely from this new situation now best addressed by the Holy Father.

Quite credibly, what is happening with Fr. Pavone and PFL will end as a blessing but we must move forward for the sakes of both the babies on Death-Roe and our Republic.

*Just this week*, Obama’s team put up their “AttackWatch.com” site which is aimed at muting criticism by implied litigation against imperfect critics. HOWEVER, I see that intimidation-attempt as an unwitting GIFT – a blessing in disguise—to our side to be used to the babies’ advantage in the following way.

Let’s put up a new, special website which in its preamble welcomes the nominal good thought behind the “Attack Watch” site, namely, no mean-spirited, erroneous criticism—just factual criticism is allowed.

The proposed site would *factually* deal with Obama’s treatment of his professed Savior Jesus Christ plus certain other telling-things that are documented by him and on him. 

Here’s but one example of Obama’s mistreatment of Jesus, using John 1:3—“through Him [Jesus Christ] all things were made”.  John 1:3 decisively confronts “Christian” President Obama with its infallible conclusion: new human life cannot be excluded by Obama or by anyone from “all things”.

Therefore and irrefutably, ALL newly formed human lives become Jesus’ Personal Treasures against many of whom “Christian” Obama works so diligently to FACILITATE their being killed –- without the Constitution’s requiring such satanic diligence re Roe v Wade!!

In a marvelous way, John Paul II reminded us of our incalculable personal worth to God: that from all creation the ONLY entities God wants to keep for Himself in Eternity – is US!  Soooo Beautiful: Tell it to people with terminal illness or otherwise nearing death and it will warm them.

The far reaching value of John 1:3 stems from the significance of its conclusion which is entirely unaffected by any protest/argument whatsoever, including indirect ones like personhood-moment doubts, ambiguities via twinning, rare DNA characteristics, etc.  There is no downside for invoking John 1:3.

Human nature makes us automatically protective of OUR earthly treasures; hence we *easily* understand why Jesus is not less concerned about HIS new Treasures! But why does “Christian” Obama not seem to understand?

“Answer that”, President Obama, the proposed new site would thunder while citing Obama’s own explicit chiding of Christians for their not reading their bibles!!! (see his 2006 “Call to Renewal” speech).

Why since Roe & Doe has John 1:3 not been invoked? Please note: we true Christians CAN win in 2012 if first we stir others to get out of LUKEWARM.

Most telling on Obama: anyone who *facilitates* killing God’s Personal Treasures shows ZERO EMPATHY to his own Savior!!! Imagine THAT—a “Christian” who willingly shows NO Empathy to Jesus Christ even though it’s a matter of his 2008 record that Senator/candidate Obama not only preached empathy but also wrote that he voted against now Chief Justice Roberts confirmation in part *because Roberts did not show enough empathy*!

Remember, he’s the energetic *Facilitator* not the abortionist. He’s the willing accomplice/promoter (as with FOCA & dropping the Mexico City policy, etc.) against whom we need not make charges because President Barack Obama openly provides abundant evidence *against himself*. We simply observe and wisely comment on the meaning of the evidence and insist he personally publicly address our points and questions!

Fr. Pavone took out a full page ad in NY Times in 2000 which highlighted the TRUTH that TRUST is the basis for voting for someone for office. What is the matter with us Christians if we don’t remind others about such a TRUTH regarding this president seeking a second term?

“A word to the wise is sufficient “ our good nuns taught us. Couple that with “work smart not hard” and you may see the value of such a proposed website. Moreover, by disciplining ourselves against making “attacks” we will win over the no-to-low income groups so misled by Christ’s enemies.

Let all true Christians contribute to improvements to pro-life strategy. Pray for Benedict XVI, Fr. Pavone and Priests for Life.

@ Juergensen, you complain about priests who preach dissent and then you go and do the same thing. 
The same goes for all of the other posts judging the bishop based upon assumptions and suspicions. This is not what Jesus would do. If you call yourself catholic, act christian.

Priests for Life gets only one star out of four from Charity Navigator for their efficiency in using donations (i.e., the proportion of donations that goes to the work of the charity versus the amount going for “overhead.”)  This may show that the bishop has a right to be concerned about how they are using their money in order to avoid future scandal.

It seems that the issue is less about pro-life activities as it is about stewardship of donations.  Has anyone contributed to the related organization “Gospel of Life Ministries”?  Per Guidestar, it had it’s exempt status revoked for failure to file information returns for 3 consecutive years: http://www2.guidestar.org/organizations/42-1629961/gospel-life-ministries.aspx  Guidestar shows the last returns filed for PFL and for Rachel’s Vineyard were from 2008.  Rachel’s Vineyard spent over 25% of their expenditures on administrative and fundraising expenses, which is considered above normal.  The diocese had donated land (since returned?) to build a seminary for the religious order Missionaries of the Gospel of Life, which wound up suppressed with Vatican approval.  It would seem from diocesan statements that it was contributions for the religious order that they are still trying to get answers about.

I have to wonder if what is happening to EMC in the courts in NYC and what happened in Texas are not related? The draconian measures being taken by the City of New York to examine the records of EMC are stunning.. But, this is clearly a strategy being employed by the City of New York attorneys who represent Mayor Mike Bloomberg and City Council speaker Quinn.

Ergo, other pro life organizations could well be on the target list like EMC is…..

Ergo, the Diocese of Amarillo is getting ahead of the threat and could actually be protecting Priests for Life by taking these measures now.

Please dear God, protect the vital apostolate of Priests for Life and the Diocese of Amarillo from the evil rampaging through our culture. Please raise up good priests who can exorcise the demon of abortion!

I hope that in time it will be revealed as a misunderstanding.

In England, all the Catholic bishops decided to stop teaching the Ten Commandments-except one. That person was martyred.

I too thank God for Fr. Pavone and know that the Lord walking with him through this unnecessary difficulty in his life.  Oh that the bishops of the Catholic Church would use that energy in promoting the Gospel of Christ instead of caving in to the fears of this world.

I do wish people would be much more careful before they begin criticising bishops. This bishop has recalled Fr. Frank over financial matters, not over Catholic teaching. It is quite obvious to anyone that Fr Frank follows the church’s teaching and that he gives 100% of his energy into the pro-life cause.

That does not mean that he is a good bookkeeper and/or that the organization’s finances are in good order. I make no statement either way, just to say that the Church never moves quickly (just look how long it took to develop the upcoming translations for the mass in English). I assume that both men have good motivations until proven otherwise.

In this climate of Catholic/Christian hatred - esp. exercised via the world wide web - along with more and more of secular governments ordering believers against their personal morals and ethics re: the murder of millions of the innocent and most vulnerable, why would any bishop in his right mind offer such red meat to the haters re: such a well known target whose name is immediately recognized when it comes to true pro life activists???  From now on, whether or not anyone goes on to follow what happens next and if the evidence backs Fr. Pavone’s history, those haters can simply go to Google and find this pretty disparaging letter from the man’s own bishop to plant before the eyes of the ignorant, clueless, to use for more bashing of the Church/priests (as well as the international pro life organization) via what many are quick to classify as another priest “scandal”.  Such an imprudently worded letter is a scandal in and of itself.  Good grief, this bishop has advertised an assumption that there is guilt worthy of “suspension” - his reckless use of the term.

Go to : 

http://www.jillstanek.com/2011/09/breaking-bishop-suspends-fr-frank-pavone-from-priests-for-life/

and read commenter, “Famijoly”‘s comment 23 - with a personal history with the bishop, up close and personal!

Then check out Agnes Campari’s comment here:

http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2011-09-14-1

Sadly it seems Amarillo, being a poor diocese wants money and or patrimony I think is the word. They come right out and admit it in their earlier statement.  I do not contribute monthly to support Amarillo parishes.  sorry, but ya need to do a better job on your “Bishop’s Appeal”.  We contribute to PFL solely to defend the sanctity of human life and the yet born babies who are defenseless againt the onslaught of evil manifested especially in the pro-choice movement and planned parenthood(an oxymoron if ever there was one).

The good bishop should not wonder why his cathedral or parishes are not as full theses days.  Also have you thought about how happy you have made all the people who run plan parenthood this week not to mention some elected officials I Maybe the good bishop is worried that to much attention to TRUTH may take away his non profit status in his dioceses.

@ancilla domini:

I didn’t really revert to the Catholic faith until I came to terms with 2 facts: Catholic people can really suck sometimes, but then so can everyone else. Also, what Catholics say and what we are actually supposed to believe are often 2 entirely different things- so rely on your catechism, your Bible, the canon-Law, and look at the basic definitions of things. Don’t lose hope in us- even our first Pope screwed up big time. I’ll pray for you, and please pray for me.

Also, read some of your blog. Wow, what a journey. Mind if I share the blog?

If as the Bishop asks funding is withheld from Priests for Life, what will happen if it results in aborted babies? Did he consider these consequences? I think this sounds like GENOCIDE OF THE UNBORN!!! We need to stand up and say NO to this terrible request.

My thoughts :

Thank you for the heads-up awareness to this.
Whereas I can understand the need for maintaining discipline in the Church, I am disturbed that Bishop of Amarillo’s position leaves me with the uncomfortable feeling that there is an Ego motivated Vendetta against Fr. Pavone. The success of his ministry in his pursuit of justice for the unborn , far outweighs the personal considerations of the bishop for maintaining discipline.

The ministry of Fr. Pavone, in my opinion has met with all the requests from the bishop to account for the financial safeguards imposed for running a business enterprise. He should bear in mind that the ministry is global in nature using the modern tools afforded by modern technology which is available through ‘Tele-Evangelism’. From a canonical point of view,the cause is Just and the and the effect Far-reaching and within the prescribed guidelines of the Church.Such being the case,the method used goes far beyond the meditative stage of Praying for a solution to the phase of Implementing its response. If through this effort - it reaches one family to save one unborn ....it is worth maintaining it alive and functioning.

The bishop, by preventing him from practicing it in Amarillo , but not restricting it to other communities, underlines the narrow-mindedness of his approach;he would do well to reflect that the Catholic Faith is by definition Universal. If it is no good for Amarillo then it should not be good Universally.

Ad Maiorem Dei Gratiam

This could have been handled privately rather than publicly and Fr. Frank would have answered in the same manner. What is happening is that Rome has told EVERY Bishop that they are responsible for EVERY $ of every ministry under their purview, so they had better make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed. This is in no way related to the infamous BSD.

There are Catholic priests and religious and laity who voted for pro-abortion Obama—and other pro-abortion candidates as well.  Yet WHO is in trouble here ?  Of all people Father Pavone.  Where is VP Biden’s excommunication ?

I have no doubt that Fr Pavone will be found to be as upstanding as he appears to be. Priests For Life is a wonderful organization and I do not believe we should stop giving to this organization especially with the progress being made against the pro abortion industry. I am sure Bishop Zurek is just wanting to make sure everything is above board so there isnt another scandal like Fr Corapi had recently. The church doesnt need another black eye. I am happy we have strong bishops and faithful priests. I will continue to pray for them.

Release Father Frank now. We, the faithful Catholics, need him to return to his God given apostolate, NOW. This is not the time to play with our with the live of the unborn and elderly.  After Father Corapi was defrocked for his rufusal to be obediant and faithful to his vows, we do not need To have Father Frank-who has done nothing accept be faithful-pulled from the battle at a time when everything is gearing up and most critical. We need Father Frank Pavone back in front of the cameras to rally support for God’s little ones. Please, Please, send him back NOW. Forth Days for Life is starting on September 28, 2011 and we need him to be behind the mic. He is Christ’s humble servant, never asking for anyhing for himself, everything is for the unborn, the elderly and the little ones like baby Joseph. Let our Priest go so he can do what God has called him to do, NOW.

Let none of us make any judgements, for we do not know all the aspects to this, the public never has the whole story. Whether His Excellencys actions are well intended or not, he is still the authority to which Father Pavone must submit himself too. Today is the day we celebrate Padre Pio, a priest who knew persecution from the Church all too well. His reaction was to stay quiet to the public about the matter for he knew that God used the Church hierarchy to do His will, even if it meant persecution at times. He also rejected and rebuked those who tried to discredit the hierarchy in order to try to “free” him. The picketing of parishes is the exact opposite of what Padre Pio would do. This needs to unfold and play out within the organization of Holy Mother Church. Let us be in prayer both for Father Pavone and his Bishop. Taking no sides, for this is a personal trial that has unfortunately become public. Father Pavones vocation is to the priesthood, not to prolife work. I thank him for all his wonderful work for the unborn but God has his plans for us even if theyre not what we thought. God can work through any and if this means that Father Pavone must end his prolife work then So let it be, Gods will be done. He can work through anyone else. Let us not forget our Catholic Faith. Praying for both sides, we ask Gods will to be done, no matter what that is. Padre Pio pray for them and for us.

I am not taking sides. I am asking the Bishop to not ask the other Bishops to withdraw funding for Priests For Life in order to protect all of the unborn children.

“In a letter circulated to U.S. cardinals and bishops and released today, Sept. 13, Bishop Patrick Zurek of Amarillo, Texas, expressed alarm about Father Pavone’s refusal to provide full disclosure of his organization’s financial records…”
Maybe Fr. Pavone will provide it when the USCCB provides full disclosure of where all its Catholic Campaign for Human Development(CCHD)money is going.