The thing is, Father Pavone said that it was an outside auditor the PFL employed to do the books, thankfully. All those millions will attract attention, and then you have now this red ink with a spin off organization and IRS complication, and the group who analyzes charities saying the ratio of cost/income was a little bit higher than average for administrative expenses, or whatever. That kind of money and the IRS designation was bound to attract the attention of any Bishop eventually, right? I mean Bishops are responsible for some modicum of knowledge of public activities and funds undertaken and collected by their diocesan priests, right? It is a mystery at this early point, on both sides, in what is ego and what is duty. I hope it turns out that both principle players are simply zealous for righteousness and that all will be transparent.
@Rita in regards to your comment > Recently my curiosity got the best of me and I went on to follow the Freefrfrank.com website a friend of mine sent me. I found an insightful commentary or should I say some intertesting statements regarding canonical law on the bishop/priest relationship and vice versa.
I’d like to share some with you as they are quite insightful:
The Vatican’s Vision of a Bishop: Father, Brother and Friend for the Common Good
In exercising his ministry, the Bishop relates to his priests not merely as a ruler towards his subjects, but rather as a father and a friend... The Bishop should encourage a spirit of initiative among his priests, avoiding anything that might lead them to understand obedience in a passive and irresponsible manner. He should ensure that each gives his best and does so generously, placing his own capacities in the service of God and of the Church, with the mature freedom of the sons of God.
Apostolorum Successores, 76: The Bishop: Father, Brother and Friend of Diocesan Priests
Introduction
One of the most misunderstood realities of the Church, both historically and presently, is the Bishop’s relation to the priests and faithful he serves.
The Congregation for Bishops in the Vatican has provided a document to clarify precisely this relationship:
The Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops Apostolorum Successores.
To properly view the current situation between Bishop Patrick Zurek and Father Frank Pavone, this document is crucial to understand the role of the Bishop as the Vatican and the Church herself understand it and NOT as any particular individual - no matter how well known, scholarly, or powerful - desires that it be understood.
General Principles: Truth, Justice, Use Talents of Your Priests Wisely for the Common Good
The Vatican says that the Bishop must be guided by certain fundamental principles:
The Principle of Truth The Bishop must have truth at the heart of his pastoral action. «Pastoral activity is authentic when it is anchored in truth» and thus inauthentic when it is not. (57) A Bishop is not allowed to lie to his priests, lie about his priests, or ruin the good reputation of his priests. Restitution is required if this is done. Further, if a priest provides his bishop with information he requested, and then the bishop cannot claim that he does not have it.
The Principle of Communion
The Bishop must promote unity with legitimate diversity: The Bishop should «work constantly for the common good of the diocese, mindful that this is subordinated to the good of the universal Church» (58) Priests for Life is a worldwide catalyst for the healing of women and families affected by abortion throughout the world. Countless numbers of children are saved by their efforts everyday. A ministry which greatly benefits the most sensitive pastoral missions of the universal church today - hurting women and mothers,wounded fathers, and unborn children - exemplifies this greater good par excellance.
The Principle of Cooperation
The Bishop must involve all Christians in the one mission of the Church. «In fact all
Christians, individually and collectively, have the right and the duty to cooperate in the mission which Christ entrusted to his Church, each according to his own particular vocation and gifts received from the Holy Spirit.» (59) Father Frank Pavone has been individually gifted with the ability to effectuate great good for salvation of souls and common good in a particular arena: the sanctity of life and the healing of women and men from abortion. Denying the Church and society this gift, by constraining him arbitrarily, does injustice to the Universal Church and especially the women and children who will suffer from this. One only has to ask Jane Roe/Norma McCorvey - whose conversion from the most vivid symbol of abortion in America to now outspoken Pro Life leader was due in a large part to Fr. Frank - to verify this.
To this I say: Veritas Omnia Vincit in other words Truth conquers all