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Vatican dismisses Father Frank Pavone from priesthood

December 19, 2022

» Continue to this story on CNA

CWN Editor's Note: The Dicastery for the Clergy, led by Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, has dismissed Frank Pavone, the national director of Priests for Life, from the priesthood, for “blasphemous communications on social media” and “persistent disobedience of the lawful instructions of his diocesan bishop.”

The “blasphemous communications” may be a reference to the 2016 placement of the body of an unborn child on an altar while Pavone made a last-minute plea for voters to support Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

Catholic News Agency learned of the decision when it obtained a copy of a December 13 letter from the apostolic nuncio to US bishops. Pavone, who said he had not been informed of the decision, responded with a statement.

The above note supplements, highlights, or corrects details in the original source (link above). About CWN news coverage.

 


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  • Posted by: feedback - Dec. 19, 2022 12:18 PM ET USA

    This is the most heartbreaking news under the current pontificate, along with Francis turning his back on the suffering Catholics of China. In Father Pavone's response (final link) he addresses the papal nuncio: "Could you not work in a single expression of gratitude - just in passing - for these past 30 years of my ministry in service to the Gospel of Life?" Indeed!

  • Posted by: johnhinshaw8419405 - Dec. 19, 2022 10:49 AM ET USA

    Child rapists remain priests in this Church for years after their killing is known - but Fr. Pavone must go NOW. A Jesuit is automatically excommunicated for sacrilege, but is restored quickly. The foul miasma from an Argentinian swamp continues to rise. The corpses are rotting.