Frank Pavone |
The bishop of the Amarillo diocese of the Roman Catholic Church has ordered the national director of Priests for Life to return to his home diocese.
Bishop Patrick Zurek says that concerns over Father Frank Pavone's management of the Priests for Life finances are the reason he's telling the pro-life activist to return to Amarillo for a time of prayer and reflection, according to reports.
The Catholic News Service said Zurek has suspended Pavone from ministry outside the diocese.
A spokesman for Pavone says the story misrepresents the facts. In a statement released by Priests for Life Senior Vice President Jerry Horn, Amarillo diocese spokesman Harold Waldow says Pavone is still a priest in good standing.
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The statement said Pavone "is needed for work in Amarillo."
Pavone said that those who say he's been accused of financial wrongdoing have the wrong idea.
"What we need to clarify is that there have been no accusations or
charges of any specific nature. In other words, nobody has said to us, 'You did
something wrong,'" Pavone said.
"What it is is this cloud of constant questioning. It's this fear of some potential problem in the future. I think the bishop feels, as best as I can read it, is that he wants to make sure there are adequate safeguards against any possible future financial scandal," said.the priest.
"I appreciate that there is a high sensitivity to keeping economic, financial accountability strong. And I think the bishop probably feels that in his case, this thing is bigger than his diocese. This thing is bigger even than the United States," Pavone said.
"Our ministry is worldwide and feels like, 'Gee you know if this guy gets in trouble, I'm in trouble,'" Pavone added. "I can appreciate that and that's why we have been fully cooperative with them."
Listen to an interview with Pavone:
Records show Father Pavone has not received a salary from Priests for Life.
Pavone further explained that Priests for Life has complied with all requests for information.
"I can say without hesitation that we've given him everything in terms of anything he's ever asked for regarding accountability, financial and otherwise," the Priests for Life national director said.
"We have shared with him a list of specific documents that we've sent to bishop on financial things. Everything he's asked us for we've sent him," Pavone said.
"In a recent letter though he's said we've been holding back information. It's as baffling as that. I don't know what to make of it, but I can assure everybody that anyone who has any need for our information is going to get it," he said.
Officials say Priests for Life also has had independent audits.
"Frankly we're baffled. It doesn't make sense to us. We see the fruits of
the work around the country, around the world," Pavone said.
"Sometimes I think that maybe I've been a little negligent in showing the bishop effectively and adequately the immense fruits of this work. Sometimes it's easy for us to presume that those people to whom we're accountable know what we're doing," Pavone said.
"I don't know that some of it is that I need to be keeping him more informed of the great things that are happening," he said.
Pavone said that some people will speculate that there is a need for priests in the Amarillo diocese and that's the only reason he was asked to go back home.
However, Pavone said the move will also highlight a weakness in America's clergy to address important issues.
"For some this will tie in to their frustration of the lack of response of the clergy to the abortion problem. Some will say some of the church officials are uncomfortable because you, Father Frank, and Priests for Life are too aggressive on the abortion issue," Pavone said.
Pavone added that he has a message for those who have reservations about how aggressively he speaks out on abortion.
"To that I say get used to it because this is a problem with the abortion thing. It's that we're not reacting strongly enough," Pavone stated.
The diocese did not respond to WND's request for comment.
Pavone said he believes that he will be allowed to return to active service in Priests for Life.
"I think it's important to point out that it's a temporary thing. He's not saying I'm coming back permanently," Pavone said. "From what I can understand at this point, he's saying 'Come back here for a little bit of time and let's sort out any of these misunderstandings."