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Vatican Upholds Fr. Frank Pavone's Appeal
Priests for Life
6/26/2012
We are happy to announce that the Vatican has upheld Father Frank Pavone's appeal and has declared that Father Pavone is not now nor has ever been suspended. Father Pavone remains a priest in good standing all over the world.
We were confident all along that a just decision would be made by the Vatican's Congregation for the Clergy. While we fully agree that Bishop Zurek has rightful authority over the priests of his diocese, we also see the urgent need for Father Pavone to be allowed to conduct his priestly ministry outside the diocese of Amarillo for the good of the pro-life movement.
With regard to all inquiries relative to Father Pavone's status and the Diocese of Amarillo, we will continue to be as transparent as possible and place all communications and press releases on our public website. In this way we can best respect the rights and privacy of all concerned, particularly ecclesiastical authority and communications which are intended to be confidential at this time.
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Fr. Pavone was suddenly suspended by Bishop Zurek Patrick J. Zurek of the Diocese of Amarillo, and recalled to his home diocese about somethings the bishop does not even want to fully clarify.
Most in the pro-life circles are wondering why the sudden discipline of the bishop of a priest who is working tirelessly to protect the unborn.
What is most obvious, IMHO, is that the bishop is probably, moooosssttt probably, not in favor of what Fr. Pavone is doing.
Humane Vitae ring a bell to you guys?
Yeah, what the Queen of Looney Tunes, Miriam has been saying that there are priests and bishops who are supportive of the RH Bill, that is true. Heard a lot of whispers in the rectory.
Meanwhile, the angry bishop who just got trumped isn't backing down and issued a very ambiguous statement:
In its decree of May 18, 2012, the Congregation for the Clergy has sustained Father Frank A. Pavone’s appeal of his suspension from ministry outside the Diocese of Amarillo and his appointment from me on October 4, 2011 as Chaplain of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in Channing, Texas. Father Pavone is to continue his ministry as chaplain until further notice. As a gesture of good will, I will grant permission to him in individual cases, based upon their merits, to participate in pro-life events with the provision that he and I must be in agreement beforehand as to his role and function. [Gesture of good will....then his permission on an individual case, based upon the merit?!?!? What?!?! Going to pro-life events must be based on its merits?!?! Does the bishop do these to theological dissent festivals?!?!?]
All other matters are outside the purview of this statement.
Amarillo, Texas, June 20, 2012
+Most Rev. Patrick J. Zurek, STL, DD
Bishop of Amarillo
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