Most Recent Updates on Fr. Pavone Situation, LifeSite News, September 14, 2011

Most Recent Updates on Fr. Pavone Situation

LifeSite News
September 14, 2011

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/most-recent-updates-on-fr-pavone-situation/

Note: This document will be updated with new information about Fr. Pavone’s situation as it becomes available. It is arranged in chronological order from newest to oldest.

9/14 - On his blog - In the Light of the Law - famed canonist Ed Peters comments on the Bishop Zurek letter noting that the Bishop “should not have used the term ‘suspend’ in regard to Pavone, for ‘suspension’ is a canonical penalty for crime (c. 1333), and Pavone has not been accused of any crime.” He adds however that the Bishop “is within his authority to recall Pavone to Amarillo in virtue of Pavone’s promise of obedience (c. 273) and may revoke the permission required for any secular cleric to be outside his diocese of incardination for a notable period (c. 283).”

9/14 - In Catholic News Service article, Bishop Zurek now says that he is recalling Fr. Pavone because he needs him to do other work in the diocese.

“Msgr. Waldow told Catholic News Service Sept. 13 that Bishop Patrick J. Zurek only suspended Father Pavone’s ministry outside of the diocese because the well-known pro-life priest is needed for work in Amarillo.”

9/14 - Fr. Pavone releases a second statement. (Read the full statement here.)

“I am now in Amarillo – as obedience requires—for my temporary visit as matters with my bishop are worked out. The expression of support from pro-life leaders and activists has been constant and strong…”

9/14 - Letter from Fr. Pavone to all U.S. bishops made public.

9/14 - Priests for life publicly releases full 2010 independent audit opinion sent to all its 21 bishop advisors.

This marks the tenth consecutive year that the organization’s auditors have provided a ‘clean’ audit opinion, when reporting on the respective year’s financial statements.

9/14 - Pro-Life Action League Founder Joe Scheidler releases a statement (Read complete statement here).

Scheidler says he has worked with Pavone for more than 20 years. “I have never met a more dedicated, passionate and hard-working pro-lifer, priest or layman… I know for a fact that Fr. Pavone never charges a dime for a speaking engagement.”

9/14 - Life Issues Institute Executive Director Brad Mattes releases a statement (Read complete statement here.)

I have known Father Frank for twenty years and know them to be counter to how he has led his life—both personally and professionally… unborn babies will be better served if our boycott efforts are directed at corporations that fund Planned Parenthood, Komen and March of Dimes, not our fellow pro-life allies.

9/14 Executive Dir of Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network Bobby Schindler releases a statement. (Read the complete statement here.)

“Our family has come to know Fr. Pavone in both our public and private struggles. We recognize and share with the millions of his supporters around the globe that Father’s voice and his endless determination to protect the sacredness of life, is vital to the pro-life cause…”

9/14 Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, Administrator of Archdiocese of Baltimore, makes a statement to the media. (Read the statement here)

Archbishop O’Brien said he has known Father Pavone for many years, having taught him as a student at St. Joseph Seminary in Dunwoodie, N.Y., before his ordination as a priest.

“I appreciate Bishop Patrick Zurek’s statement and would hope that Father Pavone would adhere fully to the requests of his bishop,” Archbishop O’Brien told The Catholic Review. ”Bishop Zurek has been so very patient and thorough in dealing with this matter over many months. I appreciate his decision and support it completely.”

9/13 - The letter from Fr. Pavone’s bishop, Bishop Patrick Zurek, restricting Fr. Pavone from active ministry outside his diocese, is made public. (Read the complete letter here.)

“The PFL has become a business that is quite lucrative which provides Father Pavone with financial independence from all legitimate ecclesiastical oversight. There have been persistent question 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 monies are being used prudently.”

9/13 - Fr. Pavone releases a statement in response to the order from his bishop, Bishop Patrick Zurek, to restrict his active ministry to his own diocese. (Read the complete statement here.)

“I want to say very clearly that Priests for Life is above reproach in its financial management and the stewardship of the monies it receives from dedicated pro-lifers, raised primarily through direct mail at the grassroots level. To this end, Priests for Life has consistently provided every financial document requested by Bishop Zurek, including annual financial audits, quarterly reports, management documents.”