Priests – in the Catholic, Orthodox, and other traditions – can be good or bad, like political leaders. The Catholic Church has suffered ample scandal, confirming humanity’s fragility. But sometimes, a priest – like any good leader – stands up, takes the hit. That just happened. I am not Catholic, but watching good people speak truth, consequences be damned, lifts a soul.
Father Frank Pavone is the “national director of the influential pro-life ministry” called “Priests for Life.” He believes a child developing in the womb is a child. Hoping to save young lives, preserve the peace of those wrestling abortion, he has not worked to legislate society’s roles but to educate struggling souls.
A critic of those who compromise on “life,” advocate for those who suffer and gain from childbearing’s joy and pain, he believes humans are not God, that ending the life of a child growing in the womb is a grave error.
Setting him apart, he also believes that how people think about this issue, where they stand, how they assess what is right and wrong, worth the effort and not, how they view God’s providence, the gift of human life, reflects how seriously they take their faith.
Without beating around the bush, he says the Catholic Church’s stand – never mind yours or mine – on abortion’ wrongness represents a fundamental battle “for the soul of the Catholic Church.” In other words, he stakes his claim, makes the case, and cannot support abortion.
One might think this a simple thing, and frankly most clergy in most churches, indeed most parishioners, would have thought the same a hundred years ago, but not today – not in the world he sees. Today, he is a lightning rod, struck down by a chorus of critics, even within the Church.
In a stunning turn, he has been defrocked – or summarily “laicized” – by the Church, and in a startlingly disingenuous way, faulting his humanity, using it as a sword, far from the ideal of forgiveness. According to the Vatican, he was dismissed for “blasphemous communications on social media, and for persistent disobedience of lawful instructions from his diocesan bishop.”
What did he do? Beyond opposing abortion, he voiced frustration at the 2020 election process, and used the word “g**damn” in a tweet. For this offense, he apologized, confessed, and – one would think – was forgiven. Only not quite, not by those who resent this voice for life, engagement in modern strife, who think it odd, so declared him intolerable – on behalf of God.
While distressed, this priest seems poised. He says many support his work “at the heart of the church,” although “A certain segment of bishops…have really been doing everything they can to put obstacles in the way of this work and of my doing this work…They see the influence our ministry has…and feel they cannot control it.” He is measured.
Bottom line: Summary dismissal of moral convictions and moral people is becoming the norm. This defrocking is an ugly turn. Faith in a loving God – even defense of right and wrong – is under fire. Those who speak for rights – including life – should not be vilified. If society is to persevere, we must learn to hear – those of heart. That is not an end, just a start. I am not Catholic, but watching good people speak truth, consequences be damned – lifts a soul.
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Perhaps Father Pavone should look into The Saint Benedict Center, in Richmond, NH! I often refer to them (nonderogatorily) as “The Branch Benedictines”. The FBI and BATFE must be watching them, as they are on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s hate list.
Those of us who are taking unpopular stands need to remember that we can’t give our enemies ammunition to use against us. Sad that he opened himself up for being taken out.
Maybe a sign from God that he needs to leave the Catholic Church.
This was the work of the antipope. BTW the real Holy Father, Pope Benedict, passed away today. FYI trivia, at the end of WW2 in 1945, a 15 year old Benedict was drafted into the German military as a crew member of an antiaircraft gun battery shooting at B17 bombers over the Reich.
You are all looking at this as a Christian/religious issue. It is not. Just follow the money and you will see why the church is trying to silence him.
It’s not the “church” – but some of the hierarchy of the Church, who is getting wealthy from their disobedience.
Interesting insight. Jesus would not recognize the Roman Catholic Church as founded by the Emperor Justinian as an arm of the secular Roman Empire’s state apparatus. Abortion is the contemporary slaughter of the Bethlehem Innocents as carried out by King Herod. He employed Greek mercenaries to execute atrocities that Israelite soldiers could not be counted on to follow orders. But today’s Churchmen can be.
If the Catholic Church won’t support Fr Pavone’s public & aggressive stand against abortion, I’m absolutely positive another denomination like the Anglican Church would love to have him.
He will never do that. But he most likely appreciates the offer.
Being brought up “Catholic” was another way for my mother to teach discipline to her 5 children but we children all escaped! . . . I can’t answer for my siblings but I just didn’t feel comfortable needing to “confess my sins” to another man when I could just as well do that directly to God in my daily prayers. Also, if both my parents didn’t attend church services what example does that really set?
Besides, can a woman be a priest? And why not? In my Protestant denomination, women can become ministers and some mighty fine preachers at that. Plus, I don’t even remember a priest or a nun ever encouraging us to “read” the Bible! And why is that? Was it because we, common people, are too stupid or like politicians just a way to control us? Sorry, but I believe in having a “personal” relationship with my creator makes me a better person! Do I still sin? Unfortunately, every time I listen to Jackass Joe Biden I get frustrated and angry and begin to swear. I just can’t help myself and then immediately have to ask my Lord for forgiveness! I’m “just” human and unfortunately humans are sinful but that’s what repentance is for. But when it comes to Jackass Joe, I just can’t help myself!
Not going to make any judgment calls here but on the comment about priest …women can’t be priest because God said so in His Word. Agree or disagree, abide or not, but that settles it. God does not take away your freewill, He only shows you the way you ‘should’ go. Whenever in doubt about any issue, yes listen to a pastor, sunday school teacher, even a godly friend, BUT check it ALL with scripture.
So you’re saying that women shouldn’t be allowed to become Ministers either? And did God really write the Bible or was it the interpretation of the men who controlled and dominated women at that time in history? . . . If Jesus appeared today, would He treat women as subservient or equal to men? . . . We’ll eventually find out when He returns!
HI Rik, Jesus also had special relationships with women who followed Him. They were His creation, just as men were. He came to save “the lost” whether male or female. The culture of the time dictated the roles that women had. To understand God and His purpose for us, we need to read both the Old and New Testaments. A good bible study class is helpful to understand God’s love for all of us. Get a study bible where there are explanations and notes which help us understand.
As a fallen away Roman Caholic your dilemma is understandable. I was lost to the church when the radical Jesuit revolutionary leftwing theology took over in the 1960-70s. Joe and Nancy flaunt the mantle of being devout Catholics with the taking communion thing to advance their image to the gullible.
The church of Laodicea is fully intrenched. (Rev 3:14-22)
Matthew 23:9
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Priests are NOT “fathers” according to God.
The Father thing has been tried over and over and taken out of context. Do a study on that and understand it as God intended.
Even Jesus was expelled by His Church! Father you are supported by Truth Himself! There are many who see Jesus in you and support your mission! Love, a longtime follower of your work, a blessed baby who’s parents experienced love from me when I entered their world 80 years ago!
I do not condone abortion, although before you start pointing your sin finger at someone, your responsible as a Christian for every child that dies from the effects of starvation and thirst. Worry about your own sin of greed and failures Church.
Bishop, YOU do not assign what is a sin ! God does. Its not an “individua”l who is the cause of “starvation.” What do you do to help starvation? You are implying that abortion is better than starvation by referring to both in your comment. Take account of your own pride and arrogance before pointing out others. God tells me what I am responsible for NOT YOU!!! Get right with God because you are out of line!
What is the lesson in Matthew 25 31-46?The answer is right here. We serve God by serving those around us. We love God by loving those around us (1 John 4:20). Simply put, this is the way God has designed for us to show our love for Him.Your comment is not Loving. You are not showing love or acting in Love. This is what you post on your site yet this is not the way you act. Take your own advice and work on you before commenting on others. I bet you didn’t pray before making your comments. God wouldn’t have told you to behave that way. I am so tired of stuck up, arrogance in the church. It gives faithful loving followers a bad name Why would anyone decide to start a relationship with the Lord if that relationship causes people to act like you I have a strong relationship with the Lord and I will be praying for you Bishop! God bless you and light the way.
This pope should be excommunicated. He needs to watch his actions, there is a very hot place in hell for those who preach knowingly presch lies and harm the innocent.
What’s wrong with Pope Francis? He leans a little too far left for my taste. Father Pavone asked for forgiveness for using God’s name in vain. When a person asks God’s forgiveness and repents, they are forgiven. If God has forgiven Father Pavone (and He has), what right has the Catholic Church to withhold that same forgiveness! That is so unbiblical. From what I can see, the Church has placed themselves above Almighty God.
I have a hard time believing that the Roman Catholic Church would condemn this man, for speaking his morals, and those of the church.
How can the Roman Catholic Church, especially their hierarchy, not condemn abortion when they condemn use of contraceptives? Or they used to…
I am not a Roman Catholic, but had several really good friends that were.
I am sure that 99.9%of pregnancies would end with the birth of a healthy child. So an abortion is murder! What if Mary’s parents would have decided she should not have Jesus. Life would be completely different as we know it. And what if in some future “virgin birth” of another gift from god has an abortion. Then God will know we are lost and will take appropriate action.
I cannot believe the Pope could ever condone abortion. But in the end he is just a man. And we cannot put our faith in men.They are imperfect and will make mistakes.
This also will cause many Catholics to question their faith and the Catholic church. Satan works to destroy us all!
Have my comments suddenly been blacklisted by the AMAC censoring board for some unknown reason? IF SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY.
Before you make any further comments I would remind you that the Catholic Church is neither a republic not a democracy and that Frankfort Pavone on his ordination talk about obedience. Now I ask you to read the following article which explains more than I could ever attempt: crisismagazine.com/opinion/the-sad-case-of-frank-pavonej
Is it obedience when priests were told to keep their mouths shut about the pedophilia going on in the priesthood? There is such a thing as unlawful orders…
As a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ (God made into man), one must embrace certain theological concepts. And if a Christian can not adhere to the second commandment, a relatively easy one to follow, then it may be time to turn in the Christian card and find a less stringent religious faith…
I was raised in the catholic faith. I left many years agoThe current pope is a socialist sob.If the catholic church had priests like Fr Pavone and Pope’s like John Paul and got rid of some of the woke bishops who allowed the “lavender mafia” to rampage through the church, I might still be a catholic.
Yup!
Thank you
Is it any wonder that the Church Alumni Association is growing larger every week. People are disenchanted with the Catholic Church.
Infiltration. Bella Dodd. Infiltration. 1000’s of sodomites infiltrated into the seminaries by Communists and Freemasons. Read Fr. Burr’s book “Murder in the 33rd Degree”. Read Dr. Taylor Marshall’s “Infiltration”.