Well-known pro-life priest Fr. Frank Pavone has been denied an award he was scheduled to receive for his pro-life work, after the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum backtracked on its original decision citing political and ecclesiastical reasons.
The Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum is run by the Legionaries of Christ. The university had originally announced on January 7 that Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life since 1993, would receive the “A life for life” award. Swiss-based Associazione Sant’ Elena Imperatrice would also provide a financial gift to “support Father Pavone’s mission.”
The award was intended to honor Pavone’s “decades of service in the promotion of a culture of life,” according to the now-deleted announcement. “The event will highlight Father Pavone’s role as founder and director of the Priests for Life organization. In addition, it will recognize his activism in speaking in defense of the unborn.”
However, a few days later, the university withdrew the award from Pavone, as announced in a very brief press release: “After taking into account aspects that were not considered in the original decision, the School of Bioethics will withhold from offering the prize to Fr. Frank Pavone. We apologize for any trouble that this has caused. We thank all people who value, love, respect and defend human life. The next edition of ‘Una vita per la vita’ will be offered in 2022.”
Reportedly, Fr. Gonzalo Miranda L.C, dean of the faculty of bioethics at the university, had previously mentioned that “members of the faculty considered possible objections to honoring Pavone, including the ‘political questions where people can have different opinions, but that is not what we are rewarding.’” Despite reservations by members of the faculty, the decision to bestow the award on Pavone was made because “the award honors a person who has dedicated his life to defending the sacredness of human life.”
However, after canceling the award, Miranda then said that the most recent decision had been taken due to “a sum of factors, especially in relation to the political situation, but also ecclesial….”
The above comes from a Jan. 15 story in Life Site News.
I think the ecclesiastical reasons relate to his current status as a priest.
Does anyone know the diocese of which he is a priest?
I learned directly from the diocese where Priests for LIfe is located that he is not a priest of that diocese and has not been granted faculties to administer the sacraments. (Similarly, I contacted a diocese that, at one time, he seemed to indicate he was being transferred to and they denied any association with him.)
He has been in two dioceses and a religious order. I know he has issues with his last diocese, Amarillo, and I’m still waiting for a reply from them regarding his status as a priest. I know his activities outside of the diocese were suspended by his bishop.
While I often agree with what Priests for Life and its associated ministries have done, it appears at least that Fr. Pavone is a rogue priest acting on his own. Catholic clergy are not independent or congregationalists and are not free to free lance ministry on their own.
I’ve asked Priests for Life directly on numerous occasions and have not received any response (except their website has a letter from his canon lawyer, which is not the same as a letter of good standing from a bishop).
This is a sad situation.
Oh, you do need to get up to speed comrade. It’s because he’s a Trump supporter, don’t cha know?
Some little research may be enlightening for seekers of truth.
From The Catholic World Report:
“But on Friday, Pavone said that he had “been asking for permission to serve on these advisory boards” when he was “requested” to resign from them.
Pavone did not indicate what authorities had directed him to resign from the Trump campaign. In 2005 Pavone was incardinated in the Diocese of Amarillo, Texas, when he transferred to that diocese from the Archdiocese of New York with plans to begin a pro-life religious order of priests. Those plans did not materialize, and Pavone found himself at odds with Bishop Patrick Zurek, soon after the bishop was installed in 2008.
In 2011, the dispute between Pavone and Zurek became public, after the priest was recalled to the diocese and suspended by the bishop. Pavone appealed to the Vatican, and the suspension was eventually lifted in 2012.
https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2020/07/24/priests-for-life-fr-frank-pavone-resigns-from-trump-campaign-roles/
Celebrity priests should be avoided. Fr. George Rutler was another one. Anyone know his status? It’s been over a month since the incident.
Craig, do you mean celebrity priests like Rev. James Martin SJ, the Saturday Night Live chaplain, too?
Or, did you mean Rev. Michael Pfleger, accused of sexual abuse, the famous friend of Jeremiah G-D America Wright, Mr. Obama’s pastor?
All of them. Why so defensive?
Not defensive, just looking for consistency. Often there is a double standard. “Conservative” priests and “liberal” priests, and all persons for that matter, should be held to the same standard and treated equally. Since only Pavone and Rutler were mentioned by name previously, thank you for your clarification and consistency.
Father Zuuldorf was another. and Michael Rodrigue, not being in the diocese where they were incardinated. There was another one that made headlines years ago that was like that. Seems like a red flag, although missionaries are like that too.
It seems that priests that run afoul of bishops, for whatever reason, no longer face a tribunal and due process under Canon Law.
Instead, they’re now sent into limbo where they must still serve their bishop but are unable to serve either Christ or Man because they have been found to be neither innocent nor guilty.
The “cancel culture” has entered the Church.
Fr. Pfleger has been accused, but not yet convicted. of abuse. I wonder if he will get a fair ‘trial’.
In today’s world, we need all the pro-life help from our Church that they can possibly give. I just read a truly horrifying news story, all about a great big recent article in “Reader’s Digest Canada,” strongly promoting euthanasia, with a bunch of practical tips in planning for a euthanasia death. Made me sick. Is America next?
There are many articles in various publications, objecting to this “aid-in-dying” “Reader’s Digest Canada” article. Here is a simple way to just find and read the original article. I went to Google and typed: Reader’s Digest Canada The Ultimate Guide to End of Life Planning (the name of the magazine, and title of the article). “Reader’s Digest” has digital versions, online, of all of their publications. The article instantly appeared! It was written by Emily Landau. And it made me SICK! Canada desperately needs a solid return to Christianity, and moral decency!
Is there a petition for Fr. Pavone?
Do you mean something like a petition to urge him to get into a proper relationship with a bishop, any bishop?
(I’d sign that, with my real name. Their prolife message is being obscured by the controversy surrounding him.)
He apparently has no bishop to petition on his behalf, if that’s what you mean.
I would sign a petition recognizing Father Pavone for his tireless efforts to help the unborn!
I would too. But, if he continues to present himself publicly as a priest and offer sacraments, he needs to be in good standing with the Church, which means some bishop, any bishop. I do recognize Frank Pavone for his efforts and would sign that petition if either he isn’t presenting himself as a priest in good standing or he rectifies his situation.
Bottom line? Fr Frank Pavone is the most outspoken and actively pro-life priest in the world and has the courage to speak the truths of our Catholic faith. He has led other brave clergy and lay people of all faith traditions to do the same. Fr. Frank is more than deserving of this award but because he also stands in solidarity with the most unashamedly pro-life President since Roe v Wade the Vatican will now use cancel culture to punish him. Instead they will stand in solidarity with a “Catholic” man whose platform will be the most pro-abortion in US history. It is a time of reckoning when evil is celebrated and good is chastised. But in the end….God knows.
Well said my Brother in Christ. If we can’t stand up for the unborn or those protecting them, what can we do?
Can’t have a pro-life American Catholic priest getting an award in Rome as a pro-death American Catholic President begins his term.
I love to hear an important truth proclaimed. Well said Brother.
As our Lord and Savior said: “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Yes, this is all about Biden and his Angels of Desth: Harris and Becerra. So sad!
Pro-life award for a good pro-life priest cancelled in Rome, while a pro-abortion president elect is applauded. I guess that is all we need to know.
I wouldn’t trust the Legionaires of Christ, founded by the evil, Satanic sex abuser, “Fr.” Marcial Maciel. They are the ones who were to give the award to Fr. Pavone. The “individual freedoms”-promoting Vatican II Church, is untrustworthy and two-faced, and does not support her clerics and nuns who preach and teach the True Faith. “The Smoke of Satan has entered the Church,” as Pope St. Paul VI said. I have felt so badly for recent, outstanding nuns and clergy (Mother Angelica, St. Mother Teresa, Fr. Frank Pavone, etc.) who have been persecuted, and have received no support from our Church. Fr. Pavone is now supposedly relocated to Titusville, Florida, which I believe is in the Diocese of St. Augustine, shepherded by Bishop Felipe Estevez. Wonder if this bishop is supportive of Fr. Pavone and his work?
I know that some Church leaders are offended by Fr. Pavone’s outspoken support of Trump. They don’t like the clergy involved in politics. Anyway, Fr. Pavone certainly deserved an award like that one — plus much more. There shouldn’t have to be a separate, post-Vatican II “pro-life” grassroots Catholic movement, anyway. The top clergy leaders of the post- Vatican II era, should have always kept a strong grip on teaching and preaching Christ’s Faith and Morals– “No sex outside the Sacrament of Marriage, no pornography, no birth control, no Abortions. Period.” I do not believe in the ridiculous “individualism” style of post-Vatican II. And we Catholics certainly are not of the sinful world, and its passing, ignorant fads and fancies of the Satan-controlled, money-making, fraudulent media and entertainment world– we belong to Christ.
He is a priest of NY who is incardinated in the Diocese of Amarillo.
Priests for Life, the organization, is headquartered in Titusville FL.
He is not allowed to say Mass outside the Diocese of Amarillo because his diocese will not give him a letter saying that he is a priest in good standing,
I wrote this from Internet information. i do not have personal knowledge of this.
I’m much more offended that the Legionaries of Christ (LC’s) were proposed to give him the award. Jeez, why the heck is that “Order” still around ?!?
It feels, like the Catholic Church is being influenced by some of the affluent American people, politicians, groups that promote abortion and those who do not want to follow the Catholic Religion dictates.
I loved listening to Father Frank Pavone’s church service sermons. Now, after newly elected President Biden has been installed in office, suddenly, Father Frank Pavone has disappeared from sight and has been curtailed from speaking from the pulpit. Is it my understanding, that he is not allowed to say mass. This is so SICKENING!!! I would hate to think, that the Catholic Church is being influenced by politicians, proponents of abortion, possibly money, Etc. It is so wrongful, that the Legionaries of Christ withdrew Father Pavone’s much deserved award? As a Returning Catholic, I am appalled by what is happening.within the Catholic Church bureaucracy.
I say, let’s start a petition, to reinstall Father Pavone to his same rightful status as a Priest. Why hasn’t Pope Francis, spoken out out about this injustice directed against Father Pavone?
Praying for much beloved Father Pavone.