Father Pavone Update ( You-Tube )

You-Tube ^ | Oct, 5 2011 | Life Dynamics

[dragonblustar]

As many of you probably know, our friend Father Pavone has been literally exiled by his bishop and barred from doing the pro-life work God clearly put him here to do.

[GCC Catholic]

I think it is worth adding/disclosing here:

Please pray for me... in less than eighteen months, I will be taking the same vow of obedience that Fr. Pavone did.

A priest takes three vows when he is ordained to the diaconate (the step before priesthood): to celibacy, to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, and to obedience. Of the three, obedience is generally regarded as the most difficult - and the one that brings the greatest crosses.

[dragonblustar]

Good point. I just get mad at the injustices that go on.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Let's keep a few things in mind here:

• The bond between a priest and his home diocese, known in canon law as "incardination" is not some adminsitrative technicality. It is extremely important spiritually. It can be compared, not so much to a labor contract, as to a marriage vow. Incardination is not temporary, it is not conditional, it is not revocable, and it is not capable of being held simultaneously in two or more dioceses.

• Fr.Pavone specifically requested to be incardinated to the Diocese of Amarillo and swore a vow of obedience to its his Bishop

• He has been called back to serve the Diocese and has full faculties to minister the Sacraments there (to baptize, to officiate at weddings, to hear Confessions, to say Mass, to anoint the sick.) These are high privileges of every priest in good standing--- which is what he is ---and there is no work more important on this side of Heaven

• He is also continuing to preach, to write, and to work for Priests for Life while in the Diocese of Amarillo. He's also free to join 40 Days for Life, which is active in Amarillo: one of the most effective and inspiring baby-rescuing efforts in the world

• Fr.Pavone himself does not consider that he has been harshly attacked or unjustly accused: he has not been attacked at all and he has not been accused of anything. (Though the PFL finances have raised questions from donors and are being examined, there is no implication of wrongdoing.)

• Fr.Pavone has asked his supporters to show goodwill to Bishop Zuarek and to keep the tone respectful and prayerful.

• Fr. Pavone stated that he is “confident” that he will be able to work toward a positive resolution with both Bishop Zurek and the Vatican.

I would suggest that we all join him in that respectful spirit.

May the Lord guide this good priest, and this good Bishop.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Fr. Pavone is not being "literally exiled."

It is the exact, precise, 180-degree opposite of exile: it is homecoming.

[SumProVita]

“It is clear as clear can be, and no equivocating will make it different”

Clear as it can be....from a few articles on the Internet?

To what *equivocating* do you refer?

“Might there be forces working to silence him, even from within the Church?”

Of course! After all the Church is made up of sinners. Fortunately, the lives of the great saints and the Teaching of the Church give us all models as to how to handle such an occurrence.

“The Oblates will show great respect for the Superior, seeing God in him and revering him as a spokesman of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, when they are given corrections or advice, they should avoid thinking that this is done through emotion or ill will; on the contrary, they should be convinced that it is a true sign of love for them and of a desire to see them persevere in their vocation and attain a high degree of holiness.” (St. Francis de Sales)

[SumProVita]

“It IS actually black and white, as are Good and Evil.”

What is the difference between mortal and venial sin if that is true?

Why did God willingly sacrifice death for us and why does He ask us to follow His example?

Sometimes, because God’s ways are higher than our ways, we don’t always see how profoundly He is working in our best interest.

[little jeremiah]

I love this line especially:

Thy hand in all things I behold, and all things in Thy hand.

I Look to Thee in Every Need

I look to Thee in every need, and never look in vain;
I feel Thy strong and tender love, and all is well again.
The thought of Thee is mightier far than sin and pain and sorrow are.

Discouraged in the work of life, disheartened by its load,
Shamed by its failures or its fears, I sink beside the road.
But let me only think of Thee and then new heart springs up in me.

Thy calmness bends serene above, my restlessness to still;
Around me flows Thy quickening life, to nerve my faltering will.
Thy presence fills my solitude, Thy providence turns all to good.

Enfolded deep in Thy dear love, held in Thy law, I stand;
Thy hand in all things I behold, and all things in Thy hand.
Thou leadest me by unsought ways, and turn my mourning into praise.

- Samuel Longfellow

[Tax-chick]

Thank you, that was lovely.

[Dajjal]

"This bishop is conducting psychological warfare against Father Frank. And I think what he is trying to do, it's pretty clear to me, he's trying to keep this pressure up on Fr. Frank, and force Fr. Frank to become disobedient. That's what he's trying to do. And then he'll be able to stand up and say, 'You see, I told you this was a bad priest. He's disobedient. Now you see what I'm talking about.' He's trying to force him into that position."
-- Prolife activist Mark Crutcher reporting on his visit with Fr. Frank Pavone (13:20 - 13:50 of Youtube video)

Dragonblustar: Thank you very much for posting this interview. I can tell by their comments that not one of your critics has taken the time to hear what Mark Crutcher has said.

I am not endorsing Crutcher's opinions carte blanche -- he himself admits that Fr. Pavone would disagree with the conclusion quoted above.

But, that said, I find many of Bishop Zurek's actions troubling.
* Repeatedly stating the falsehood that Fr. Pavone has been suspended from priestly duties.
* Refusing to allow Fr. Pavone to see his doctor.
* Refusing to allow Fr. Pavone to speak to his parents.
* Refusing to allow Fr. Pavone to speak to the Amarillo diocese Vicar of Priests.
* Making extremely public accusations against Fr. Pavone, then leaving the country for two weeks, and since he has returned neither meeting with Fr. Pavone nor answering questions posed by third parties inquiring on Fr. Pavone's behalf.

I would encourage your critics to take a few minutes and watch the interview. At the very least, they would know what you and Cructher mean by "exiled" -- which may be an exaggeration, but is only one small accusation leveled by Crutcher.

[Dajjal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aFlVhD5Npc

[dragonblustar]

Thank you Dajjal. I appreciate that.

I just don’t understand the attacks against Father Frank from Freepers. He’s done a lot of good and they don’t even want to look at what is happening to him.

[dragonblustar]

Have you seen the video I posted?
I just find the actions of Bishop Zurek to be quite disturbing.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Yes,I did; but I think Crutcher's accusations are dubious.

Since returning to Amarillo, Fr. Pavone has not at all been held incommunicado- the allegation is insupportable. Fr. Pavone has continued to use social media to promote Priests for Life events and causes. He recently had his organization send a four-page solicitation letter to donors. The Sept. 22 appeal was sent via overnight UPS courier services, according to a National Catholic Reporter story published Monday. He asked the donors to respond to him, and indicated no problems with incoming or outgoing communications.

Bishop Zurek has repeatedly confirmed that Fr.Pavone remains a priest in good standing, clarifying that he was "suspended" only from activities outside of the Diocese of Amarillo---notsuspended from his priestly faculties. And the bishop has not alleged fiscal impropriety, according to information from the diocese.

I think that Greg Cunningham, Troy Newman and Mark Crutcher ---motivated by their sincere love for Fr. Pavone and their concern for the prolife mission--- may nevertheless have inadvertently hurt Fr.Pavone. They claim Bishop Zurek is trying to "force" Fr. Pavone into disobedience. This is really a rash judgment, since it imputes malice on the part of Bishop Zurek ---a grave slander unless they have the supernatural power to read souls --- and it drives a wedge between Fr. Pavone and his spiritual father, to whom he is striving to remain loyal in accordance with his sacred vows.

[dragonblustar]

Fr. Pavone has continued to use social media to promote Priests for Life events and causes.

I get his updates along with Dr. Alveda King and I know with Dr. King, she has someone post updates for her. I don't know if Father Pavone has someone doing the same for him as well.

The only priest that I know of that actually posts their own comments are my friends on FB. I don't want to name names here but if you'd like, I can email them to you.

[dragonblustar]

I’m just a bit concerned about what’s going on. I know there are many people out there, especially the family of baby Joseph who are appreciative of what Father Pavone did for them. I don’t understand why so many here want to attack Pavone. They say its idol worship of him but its not. I get ticked because it takes a lot of courage to stand up for the truth. ( I wish more people would take a stand. )

There are a ton of liberals in the catholic church that’s making it hard for some priests to speak out, plus the media is quick to condemn them for the slightest infraction. I wish conservative catholics would support some of those priests instead of quickly tossing them on the fire like the liberals want us to.

[Mrs. Don-o]

If you have the names of any FReepers who are "attacking" Fr. Pavone or "throwing him on the fire,"-- send me the names and I will go after them with hammer and tongs. I will personally pound them with a rhetorical 10-pound rail-splitting maul.

But I have not seen ANYBODY attacking Fr. Pavone. On the contrary, we all value his outstanding work, and we view with admiration the way he is keeping his vows, obeying his bishop, and giving service to Christ's Church with his priestly ministry.

It is you who imply that all this constitutes "attacking" him.

Such language is hardly accurate or helpful.

[dragonblustar]

It is you who imply that all this constitutes "attacking" him.Such language is hardly accurate or helpful.

From Mr. Get a Grip: Frank Pavone needs to get over himself before he loses his soul and takes others with him.

Why would Father Pavone need to "get over himself" before he loses his soul?

[Mrs. Don-o]

"From Mr. Get a Grip: Frank Pavone needs to get over himself before he loses his soul and takes others with him."

Why would Father Pavone need to "get over himself" before he loses his soul?

---

Romulus? I think the above question was directed to you.

[Romulus]

I don’t think Mrs Don-o should be made to answer for me.

I am the one who said Fr. Pavone needs to get a grip. It’s a common expression, which means to dial back one’s emotional engagement in a situation, the better to consider it rationally and judiciously.

Do I know for a fact that Fr. Pavone is emotionally overwrought to a degree that has clouded his judgment? Actually, I don’t. He could be coolly engaged in irresponsible rhetoric, to cloud the judgment of others. At this time, I choose not to believe that. I believe it more charitable to believe that one has temporarily lost control of his passions, than to believe he has set out to manipulate and deceive others.

Bishop Zurek has not handled this affair blamelessly, I think most observers will agree. But he is the bishop, and does have certain rights which Fr. Pavone must respect not only in outward, technical senses, but in his heart. This is grave matter, for Fr. Pavone and for those looking to him as a moral exemplar. That’s why I say that souls are at risk.

It is a spiritual work of mercy to bear wrongs patiently. Let’s all remember that. Pass it on to your priest friends if you like.

[Mrs. Don-o]

That was well said.