Posted on 09/10/2001 1:34:08 PM PDT by electron1
Father Pavone Asked to Leave Priests for Life
New York -- Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life for the past eight years, has been asked by Cardinal Edward Egan to resume full-time work within the Archdiocese of New York and leave his present position with Priests for Life. The reason for the decision is the need for parish priests in New York, and is consistent with similar decisions of the Cardinal to call back many other New York priests who are on special assignment.
Anthony DeStefano, Executive Director of Priests for Life, made the following statement:
"We are shocked at what has happened and frankly can't make heads or tails of it. Neither can other pro-life leaders worldwide. I know that Fr. Frank has committed his entire life to ending the tragedy of abortion. He has told me that he is preparing an important public statement to be made in the near future. He is continuing to negotiate with the Cardinal through all the proper channels and in accordance with the demands of Canon Law.
"In the meantime, in order to avoid any wrong impression that Priests for Life would operate without the blessing of the Church, Fr. Pavone has officially transferred the leadership of the organization to me and his other close associates, until such time that a new priests director is chosen. He and the organization have a long track record of fidelity to the Church and the bishops, and Fr. Frank does not want the organization which he built and which he loves so much to suffer because of a decision to transfer him."
DeStefano also said that Priests for Life would continue on the course Fr. Pavone has set for the organization.
"We have detailed plans that were formulated by Fr. Pavone which we will follow to the letter. Nothing is going to stop this organization from doing the things that have made us so effective in the past eight years. I am confident that all our friends and benefactors in the pro-life movement will continue to work harder than ever with us to make this happen."
Fr. Pavone is one of the leading voices in the pro-life movement. Cardinal John O'Connor appointed him to Priests for Life in 1993. Since that time, Fr. Pavone has transformed the fledgling group into an international organization with a multi-million dollar budget, a staff of almost 40 full-time employees, four full-time priests, and a global media outreach.
You are correct, of course, patent. I deserved this rebuke. Its one thing to hold cynical views, unbeckoned as they may be at times. It is another thing to air them out for all to see, and possibly scandalize the faithful.
My apologies folks. Please forgive my fit of cynicism. There is no room in JPII's clarion call to "Be Not Afraid," for such cynicism as I displayed above..
"Social Justice Review" ... who puts that out?
We are talking about the Archdiocese of NY. The most important Catholic Diocese in the country. Administration is important. But this is the only Archdiocese in the Country that merits such media scrutiny.
I share your desire to hear more from Egan, even if it is only the expression of solid Catholic thought. In his defense, he did go to Albany a while back to voice his concern about a pending bill that didn't have a conscience clause in it. I don't remember the details, something to do with contraception or abortion. Anyway, I think and hope that once he tends to the administrative details and the financial, vocational, and pastoral affairs have stabilized that he will pursue communication with the community. The Archbishop of NY has a powerful pulpit. Egan is very bright and I'm sure he is aware of this.
I believe it was Cardinal Law of Boston who gave the sermon at O'Connor's funeral.
patent
I believe it was Cardinal Law of Boston who gave the sermon at O'Connor's funeral.Correct.
Also ... it would be interesting to see who else he's recalled and from what sort of special assignment.It would. Once I knew that I would feel much more comfortable judging.
patent +AMDG
The good Lord's mercy has been tested with the abortion holocaust. I have wondered how long it would be before a great evil would strike our country. I believe it has happened today. And this announcement seems to fit into place.
You should be. Fr. Pavone is so highly visible that even if the excuse were true (that the bishop is calling home parish priests) an exception would have to be made in Fr. Pavone's case because, at the very least, it would appear that the bishop disapproved of Fr. Pavone's work.
There is no question in my mind that evil is at work here. See my post #91.
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