Here is an authentic Catholic reaction to this situation:
I think we need to avoid the tendency to hard-boil two good (but typically flawed) men into opposite positions (Hes the Good Guy! and Hes the Bad Guy!). Lets pray for Fr.Pavone and Bishop Zurek. I dont have any reason to doubt that theyre both pro-life, they both take their responsibilities seriously, and they both want to fully carry out the duties towhich God has called them.
There are certainly a lot of pastors who would be grateful to have Fr.Pavone step in and say Masses and hear Confessions in many an Amarillo parish. His obedience is pleasing to God, just as Bishop Zureks oversight is pleasing to God. Given time, patience and charity, I think all missteps and difficulties can be corrected.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2787836/posts
See post #10
Literally?
OMG, I had no idea! To where has he been exiled? Siberia? Devil's Island? I'm speechless -- literally!
Dear dragonblustar: Please get a grip. "They" are not silencing anything. What Fr. Pavone "clearly" is, is a priest incardinated by his own free will into the diocese of Amarillo, who's now been reminded of the promises he freely undertook.
Frank Pavone needs to get over himself before he loses his soul and takes others with him.
God’s not a panty-waist! He doesn’t need Father Pavone to succeed. Have some faith!
Father Pavone will pull through if God wills it. Father Pavone will experience suffering as God allows it and if Pavone offers it up for our sins, it will be blessed by God and used for only good in the end!
Father needs to shrink to nothing to show God he is nothing and God is everything. God has lots of time - only WE feel our life passing by and the issue passing over us like a wave. God is in control. Father Pavone needn’t worry about who’s in control, his life’s work, or who’s going to win in thie pro-life effort!!!
Obedience is what God wants. Obey His (God’s) bishop be he wrong or right - and God will pull the good out of the affair!!!
Keep Fighting!
Yep. No pro-life movement anywhere, not a single person standing up for life except Father Pavone, who has terrifyingly been exiled to his home diocese. Now admittedly, people not familiar with Amarillo might consider that a fate worse than death ... but really, it’s a rather pleasant place - notable for excellent beef meals - especially with summer pretty much behind them.
Let’s all avoid going totally stark raving bibbling bonkers, can’t we?
Can someone pls summarize the complaint against him?
NO! I can’t listen to the video from here....
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.