I said I wouldn’t comment again until a resolution had been reached, but this weekend’s developments cannot go unanswered. Some of Father Pavone’s supporters in the pro-life movement have descended on Amarillo, Texas, with tactics normally reserved for the enemies of life. Banners being towed by planes showing aborted babies, and trucks sporting images of aborted babies circling St. Mary’s Cathedral and school, a campaign to vilify Bishop Zurek…
It’s twisted, and it’s wrong. It’s also starting to alienate allies.
Here is a comment from a mother of a child being besieged with such disturbing photos, as written at Deacon Greg Kandra’s blog:
Angry Mom
My children attend St. Mary’s Cathedral School. I wish someone in this group protesting would realize that my kids shouldn’t be able to view these pictures. They are outside of a school. My kids shouldn’t have to be around pictures of dead fetuses. If they have a problem with the bishop’s decision, they need to wait until he comes back, or get a petition going. Hello????
I agree with her. I don’t want my children seeing those images either. They are too young and not ready emotionally for such a sight. This is thuggishness, holding children and parents hostage until the activists get their way.
Is this what Father Pavone is all about? Is this his great life’s work? I think not, but people are asking why he hasn’t called off the dogs.
Bishop Zurek didn’t come to town and immediately change course, which is still his episcopal prerogative, anyway. He allowed Father Pavone to continue on in his ministry and launched an investigation of the finances and the prudential use of monies after receiving complaints from clergy and laity alike. That’s his responsibility.
Then he took further action (however clumsily and uncharitably) when he didn’t like the answers he was getting, which is also his responsibility. And now, here we are. Trucks sporting pictures of murdered babies circling a Catholic school until Father Pavone’s friends get their way.
Disgusting.
This is not how the Holy Spirit works. He unites. He does not divide.
It also might just work, but it will come at a terrible, terrible price. It is already creating a split in the pro-life community and causing Father Pavone to lose more stature than Bishop Zurek could with ten more letters like the first. It’s called a Pyrrhic Victory. From Wikkipedia:
The phrase is named after King Pyrrhus of Epirus, whose army suffered irreplaceable casualties in defeating the Romans at Heraclea in 280 BC and Asculum in 279 BC during the Pyrrhic War. After the latter battle, Plutarch relates in a report by Dionysius:
The armies separated; and, it is said, Pyrrhus replied to one that gave him joy of his victory that one more such victory would utterly undo him. For he had lost a great part of the forces he brought with him, and almost all his particular friends and principal commanders; there were no others there to make recruits, and he found the confederates in Italy backward. On the other hand, as from a fountain continually flowing out of the city, the Roman camp was quickly and plentifully filled up with fresh men, not at all abating in courage for the loss they sustained, but even from their very anger gaining new force and resolution to go on with the war.
In both of Pyrrhus’s victories, the Romans suffered greater casualties than Pyrrhus did. However, the Romans had a much larger supply of men from which to draw soldiers, so their casualties did less damage to their war effort than Pyrrhus’s casualties did to his.
The bishops are watching and taking careful note. We want more involvement from them, more outspokenness. We want more priests involved in the pro-life cause. How many bishops in their right mind would consent to further involvement if they suspect that this circus would arrive at their door should they dare to discharge the duties of their office, should the need arise?
The beauty of Priests for Life has been the visage of priests sent by their bishops to bring the heart of the Church to this fight. Priests acting in communion with their bishops, strengthening the hearts of the faithful who wage spiritual and political war on the storm troopers from Hell itself.
This siege on the Cathedral and children in Amarillo is a distortion of that visage. It suggests a loss of mission and perspective. We Catholics like our priests in union with their bishops. This has become ugly.
Father Pavone needs to call off the dogs. He needs to stress respect for his bishop in all matters. He needs to lead the movement in prayerful discernment and focus the faint of heart on God’s providence, which is boundless. He needs to protect the children at St. Mary’s School, especially as he is a priest of that diocese, and they are being assaulted in his name.
Not so far from Amarillo is the site of one of the great Pyrrhic victories in American history, The Alamo.
General Santa Anna had himself a victory there, even though he lost twice as many men as the Texians. However, he was perceived as so cruel that the battle cry, “Remember the Alamo” would lead to his defeat shortly thereafter.
Making war on children in order to muscle a bishop into submission to activists has the potential to make Amarillo not only Father Pavone’s Alamo, but ours as well.
Jesus started the Church from His Cross and left 11 men and the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother to carry on with the work….all were important…yes…they would educate the next generation and they did this.
IMHO, it would seem that a mortal man would do likewise and so imitate Christ.
But, that is MHO.
Patricia in ST. Louis, MO
Gerry,
You once again, captured the heart of my concern about this, and the word “circus” had come to my mind as well.
What is more disturbing is that in this interview with Al Kresta done some days after this first took place, Fr. Pavone was asked about Greg Cunningham’s campaign to use graphic banners for all to see in an effort to win his freedom from “ecclesiastical house arrest”.
Go to this link and listen to Fr. Pavone’s response in Part 1 starting at the 15:45 mark where Al questions him on this, then listen for the next few minutes. It sounds to me like he has distanced himself from it. At one point he claims to have talked to Cunningham about his saying it was inadvisable.
Oddly enough, at about 6:00 pm EDT, there was Tweet from Fr. Pavone which practically boasted about the banners on the planes with aborted baby pics http://twitter.com/#!/frfrankpavone/status/117720030787022848. It reads:
Tow [sic] banner planes with photos of #abortion are flying over Amarillo this weekend, and trucks with the photos are on the road.
He then posted the same thing to Facebook where I, and several others got into a disagreement over the use of these graphic images where small children would be exposed to them. The thread can be seen here. I am floored at how casually people are willing to shove these photos in the faces of a 5 or 7 year old who can do absolutely nothing about it, has no need to know about it, and could be traumatized. There’s a right place for the use of graphic images, and it’s not in the open public where young children are exposed without warning.
Take a look at the discussion there. http://www.facebook.com/#!/fatherfrankpavone/posts/10150297114595670
I cannot reconcile his response to Al Kresta on Greg Cunningham’s campaign with his actions on Facebook and Twitter.
Although, I don’t know if it’s just me, but his answer to Kresta did not come across very strongly.
Oops – forgot the link to the Kresta interview, which goes with my comment above. Go to Part 1 and begin listening at the 15:45 mark. It’s only a few minutes long.
http://krestaintheafternoon.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-perspective-fr-frank-pavone-speaks.html
Dr. Dr. Dr., I’m sorry, but you are wrong. This Bishop and many like him, do what ever the hell they want to manipulate and bully. This issue is about money and nothing else. This bishop cares NOTHING about the unborn, he cares only about the $8M sitting in a bank waiting to be used by his diocese. We are, once again, falling into the claws of disparity through the people who should be leading us! Your email is cowardous. There are ALWAYS innocent casualties in a war and the 53 million who have already died, deserve immediate action from those who truly believe in their cause. Not the rhethoric you just spewed. We are not being led by our Bishops, they are doing the exact opposite. We need a leader who cares deeply about God and God’s children. Fr. Frank Pavone is one of those leaders.
Lisa,
If you ever apply “rhetoric” like “spew” to me again, I’ll invite you to leave. I don’t need that sort of invective in response to legitimate pastoral, ecclesial, and political concerns. While you’re at it, you might wish to check your nasty attitude at my door. I don’t cotton to people ascribing such malicious motives to bishops.
Last warning.
Ouch! There’s more rash judgment and imprudence in Lisa’s comment than I’ve seen in some entire threads.
Unbelievable. As a mother of two young children in our own local Catholic school, I would be livid if my kids were exposed to this. I fear Fr. Pavone’s supporters are doing more harm than good at this point.
Veronica,
Your comments about the bishops are evil. Try reformulating them into something less strident.
There are a good many pro-lifers who feel that there is a time and a place for graphic images. For example, I know some sidewalk counselors use them right before a woman goes into a clinic in one last ditch attempt to show her what she is about to do. It is positioned in such a way that cars going by with young children would not see them.
A segment of pro-lifers believe the use of graphic images the way CfBR is using them in a way that is indiscriminate actually causes some pro-choicers and fence-sitters to harden their position.
[…] Priests for Life, including operating at a significant deficit.UPDATE: Dr. Gerard Nadal has some harsh words for the protests in Amarillo:Is this what Father Pavone is all about? Is this his great life’s […]
I couldn’t agree with you more, Gerry. Thank you for your very fitting words. If you haven’t read it already, Dr. Ed Peters, who teaches Canon Law and a host of other subjects at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, has posted an excellent response to Fr. Pavone’s post on his own blog. I have respect for what Fr. Pavone has done with Priests for Life, but you are correct in that he has to tell his followers PUBLICLY that they must be quiet and obey his bishop just as he has until the whole matter is solved. These tactics are just as demonic as the forces that are behind the army the Priests for Life and Fr. Pavone fight.
Thanks Dr. Nadal. I agree and have attempted to alert many of my friends to the divisiveness of many peoples reactions to Fr. Pavone’s (and other priests) recent problems. I am met almost universally with a wall of self righteousness that fails to acknowledge the divisive nature of each sides response. Divide and conquer is the adversaries most successful tactic. He’s been using it since the Garden of Eden. We must bide now, allow things to run their course and, above all, trust in God that His will be done. May God bless you, my brother in Christ, and may he always bless and keep his servants – our holy priests and bishops.
The catholic church doesn’t seem to mind about fostering gay masses. But the unborn, such an untidy topic. The kids probably aren’t even focused on the banners. They want to get home to go out and play or play xbox.
Sheila,
There are a great many bishops who have assigned their priests to ministry at PFL, who work in support of the pro-life movement. Posts like yours sugest that you are the type of Catholic that Father Pavone has cultivated or attracted these past 20 years:
Rebels who trash the bishops.
So, of course they’ll just warm to the cause, right?
Dr., I’ve thought about my comments and I sincerely apologize for attacking you personally. You ‘re right, I should not make rash or uncharitable judgments.
In my personal opinion, I believe that the current state of our Catholic Bishops is 90% self-serving and socially/politically motivated and 10% true, joyful sufferers willing to spread the truth of Our Lord Jesus at all costs. I believe that Frank Pavone is one of those priests – even if he isn’t a Bishop.
I don’t agree with your comments. I believe that the pictures are necessary and the protest is acceptable. The church has been silent for too long, sleeping for too long, tip-toeing for too long. If the church didn’t want scandal, the bishop may have handled it differently and more charitably. Again, I don’t think the bishop was thinking of the church or her members, he was thinking of his own political and monetary advances. This is comparable to Bishop Ochoa in Texas, Bishop Cupich in Spokane and all the other Bishops who openly support immoral actions and are completely silent when it comes to defending the unborn.
I can tell you that I am almost ALWAYS in line with your thinking, which I”m sure matters zero to you, but on this post, I disagree.
Thank you to Diane at Te Deum for the examination of concience. It was necessary. Thank you!
Lisalu,
Apology accepted, and yes, your thoughts do matter, especially when we differ.
Your assessment of bishop Zurek is off kilter. This man came to Amarillo and allowed Father Pavone the generous latitude that his predecessor, Bishop Yanta allowed him, which was preceded by the generous latitude by Cardinal O’Connor. In fact, Father Pavone has had twenty years of wide latitude by the bishops.
If our bishops seem less than engaged in the life issues, look in the mirror. We laity have thumbed our noses at them for decades.
Next, where do you get this wild notion that Bishop Zurek stands to gain financially from this whole affair? In severing ties to PFL, he severs ties to its money, which wasn’t exactly flowing in to the diocese in the first place.
I’m a leader in the pro-life movement. I’m now the National Director of Medical Students for Life of America. I meet regularly with other leaders in the movement. They raise their own money, run their own ministries, cultivate their own volunteers, all independent of PFL. If PFL folded tomorrow, the movement would contine on. That’s a testimony to the collective leadership and the influence of Father Pavone on the leaders, so no, we don’t need to traumatize children because Father Pavone is in a dispute with his bishop. You’ll never sell me on the need to traumatize kids in order to save other kids, however indirectly.
If I were a bishop looking at this circus in Amarillo, I’d pass on ever getting involved. In fact, the reason I stayed away from the pro-life movement for decades was because of the shrill voices we hear from in this mess. They lack love and decency. Remember what Saint John the Evangelist says in his letters:
“If you can’t love your brother who you can see, how can you love God, whom you can’t see?”
Pray for all those bishops who have failed the faithful. Had they acted with the courage their office requires to the many great evils of our day, most of all abortion, perhaps this mess would never have existed.
@ Diane. “A segment of pro-lifers believe the use of graphic images the way CfBR is using them in a way that is indiscriminate actually causes some pro-choicers and fence-sitters to harden their position.” People who are OK with the murder (yes murder) of children in the womb have already been hardened.
Dr. Nadal, thank your for ALL of your writings!! I would like to leave a quote from Fr. John A. Hardon regarding abortion.
<<>>
I’m not familiar enough with Fr. Pavone to know if he heavily encouraged the reception of the Eucharist as a means to end abortion, but I do know that he did not employ the recitation of the Rosary when he spoke/prayed for pro-Life. (This was a huge disappointment to me when I attended one of his prayer rallies; Mary went missing, at least from “his” lips.) A quote from Fr. John A. Hardon follows regarding the overall importance of the Rosary:
<<>>
There had been something like $8M raised to build a seminary for Fr. Pavone’s former religious order back around 2007, but it never was built. The order was suppressed by Bishop Yanta, partly due to PFL exercising too much control over the religious order, At the end of 2010 per the audited financial statements provided, Bishop Zurerk would have been looking at $238K in the bank with $1.8M in debt (and no seminary), so I don’t expect he’d be looking to enrich the diocesan coffers from PFL.
Available in the United States is a book entitled Padre Pio Gleanings by Pascal Catanco, which has been translated into English. On pages 58 and 59 one reads the following passage:
Among the many, many people who came to see Padre Pio was Archbishop Lefebvre who, later clinging stubbornly to Catholic Tradition, as he called it, questioned the authority of Vatican II and was removed from office by Pope Paul VI.
The archbishop had a meeting with Padre Pio in the presence of Professor Bruno Rabajotti. This witness reported that at a particular moment Padre Pio looked at Lefebvre very sternly and said: ‘Never cause discord among your brothers and always practise the rule of obedience; above all when it seems to you that the errors of those in authority are all the more serious. There is no other road than that of obedience, especially FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE MADE THIS VOW.’
Padre Pio could give this advice because he had had to obey some rather questionable orders himself. His attitude was to put this in God’s hands because He would find a way for truth to triumph. It seems Archbishop Lefebvre did not see things in quite the same way even if he did respond to Padre Pio with: “I will remember that, Father.” Padre Pio looked at him intensely and, seeing what would soon happen, said: “No! You will forget it! You will tear apart the community of faithful, oppose the will of your superiors and even go against the orders of the pope himself and this will happen quite soon. You will forget the promise you made here today, and the whole Church will be hurt by you. Don’t set yourself up as a judge. Don’t take powers that do not belong to you and do not consider yourself as the voice of God’s People, as God already speaks to them. Do not sow discord and dissension. However, I know this is what you will do!” Unfortunately, the truth of Padre Pio’s prophecy is obvious to everyone.
Fr. Pavone please stop the madness! Without the Church, you are not a priest and there is no Priests for Life. The Church is bigger tha. The pro-life movement. Please just listen to wise counsel – listen to Our Lady who always urges obedience – and stop this senseless rebellion.
@Pawel Palen,
Perhaps there are better ways to win hearts than through indiscriminate use of graphic photos. The bishops in my diocese have no problem getting involved. It’s all in the “how”
http://te-deum.blogspot.com/2011/09/division-in-pro-life-movement-over-use.html
Diane,
Would that the use of the photos were indiscriminate. They aren’t.
The photos are being paraded around a Catholic school filled with young children while the bishop is out of town. It is the deliberate use of dead babies’ images in order to force the release of a priest from his vow of obedience to his bishop.
I won’t argue with that. Perhaps there is a more fitting word. I meant it more in the context of unrestrained, without regard for guarding the little ones who can do nothing about abortion.
Once again (following the scandals involving Father Euteneur and the former Father Corapi) the enemy is having a field day. Priests are scandalizing the faithful, the faithful are rebelling against their bishops and attacking each other, and the pro-life movement is being trashed and diminished.
Heaven help us.
Just a question, Gerry – is the group behind this a Catholic group or is it Protestant? I seem to recall that Father Pavone said the person in charge of this is a Protestant, ergo, he doesn’t know the damage he is really doing to the cause.
Greg Cunningham of CBR is running it and he is not Catholic.
See my first two comments in this thread for a link to an audio with Father Pavone’s response when asked by Al Kresta.
Unfortunately, Father has done nothing publicly to repudiate these actions. In fact, if you look at the links I provided in those two posts, you will also see that Fr. Pavone boasted about the two planes carrying banners of aborted babies.
This is a serious contradiction to what he said to Kresta.
This circus has been orchestrated in his name. He ought to publicly repudiate it.
I’ve been trying to figure that out, Ann. However, Father Pavone knows the damage being done and needs to speak out very publicly. To hear the Pavone supporters, the narrative has shifted to “Pavone v. the Weak and Corrupt Bishops”. Maybe he didn’t bargain for that, but it’s the new buzz on the pro-life street. If PFL is going to be authentically Catholic, then Pavone needs to redirect the dialogue of his more vituperative supporters.
I like Greg Cunningham and the work of CfBR. In this case, he is acting disastrously. If Pavone doesn’t call him off very publicly, the Catholics who stand with the bishops will abandon him, leaving him the head of a group whose base are right wing dissidents, as opposed to the more common left-wing variety. That might make them more exotic, but no less toxic.
BTW, now that I think of it, I believe I’m up for renewal with CWG. Please remind me if you don’t hear from me in a week.
So much in all of this, article and comments, is bothering me. I don’t know where to begin, so this comment may be disorganized.
As for the pictures – It should be up to the parents if their children view those pictures. A 4-D ultrasound of an unborn baby in the first trimester is far more powerful to children than disgusting pictures that make them turn their heads and ask all the wrong questions. Both of my children have a communication disorder. Comprehension is very difficult for them. I drove past one of these “demonstrations” at one of the malls in Indianapolis. My son cried for weeks because he thought that could happen to him. He couldn’t comprehend the difference between unborn and born. My children are not the only ones with some sort of disorder that these pictures can completely traumatize.
As for the Bishops. Let’s see….and if Bishop Zurek didn’t do anything and it comes out later that there is some serious problems with the finances, then what? You and others would be complaining that he didn’t do anything when he should have. The Bishop was more generous than many are giving him credit for. He says that clergy and laity had complained. He failed to mention that the BBB and at least one non profit watchdog group had complaints about transparency with in PFL. http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/priests-for-life-in-staten-island-ny-2166 This has actually been handled very well by the Bishop’s office.
The only complaint has been “transparency” as far as I can tell. Do you have any idea how many non profits have that complaint and it ends up being nothing?
Bishop Zurek’s responsibility goes far beyond Priests for Life. He has a responsibility to the Church. Look at the hate being spewed on your blog alone. Imagine how much fire would be under the anti-Catholics behind if Bishop Zurek didn’t do anything when he should have! Look at all the priests jokes still going on in major media outlets when their is no foundation for their stereotypes. Imagine, just imagine, what you would be writing about it the Bishop wasn’t transparent to us.
Valerie,
Are you suggesting that I am spewing hate?
Gerry,
We must have been writing at the same time earlier.
See my last response, which was in response to Ann.
– CBR is not Catholic.
– in radio interview I provided above, Fr Pavone seems to say he discouraged CBR, calling the campaign inadvisable.
– a few days later, Fr. Pavone boasted on FB and Twitter about having seen two planes with banners sporting pics of aborted babies.
Go figure.
.
@Valerie Jane
Thanks for the testimony of how such pics can adversely affect a young child.
I do think, however, you may want to clarify who you were referring to when you said, “you and others…”
I think I know what you meant, but it may not be apparent to other readers.
Thank you Gerry for bravely stating the unwanted probobility on your blog posts. I and others I work with in the pro-life movement have been concerned for some time about the problems we’d seen with Fr Pavone followers and his own ego. No priest benifits from the innordinate amout of fanfare that he’s recieved in the last few years. In fact few if any of us could survive such adulation without the temptation to an over inflated ego..
I respect what you have said about those in leadership in the pro-life movement. I have had the joy of knowing and working closely with soem others in leqadership and the common theme is humility. Therer is a big job to be done and no one man or woman is the answer to the problem. It will take the combined talents of many people, in medicine, law, media, school, church, and around the kitchen table..
I believe that Father and his followers are prolife, but they are causing serious trouble now. These tragic pictures are pictures of real children. we must remember that and show their memories respect! They should not be used to vent our frustration.
There are still several solid good pro-life groups continuing to do the work called for. PPL never was the only game in town nor is it now, w/ or without Fr Frank. Let’s get back to work saving babies, God will protect father Frank from harm.
Gerald,
Although I do agree with my whole heart that we do need unity at this time, I feel that there is a problem with our bishops today. I am not in particularly concerned about this issue with Fr. Frank and Bishop Zurek. I feel that it will be settled by the grace of God. I am always concerned about the welfare of our children also and to put those pictures on display at a school where young children are educated is a disgrace. We need to pray about this issue. It is not time to be a zealot.
To get back to the bishops or maybe the Church in general. I am a senior citizen so I date back prior to Vatican II, however I feel we have lost something. So many places have Ascension Thursday on Sunday and we no longer do Ember Days among a few of the changes. A lot of these decisions were made by our Bishops and although their hearts are in the right place I believe we need to get some more strictness back. We do things for convenience sake. Was it convenient for Jesus to hang on the Cross? We need to start to go back to Mass on the Holy Days of Obligation not avoid them because they fall on a Saturday or Monday.
Gerry, you know in the Bible Jesus said he came to serve and the Apostles were to serve also but there are those among the clergy who feel they should be served. I feel that they should be respected as I do my Parish priests as they are great people as well as priests but there are those out there who have put themselves above the people. I realize that it is our duty to help our priests and religious and I certainly agree. It should not be an expectation.
Anyway, I will pray for all and enjoy this site very much.
Thank you.
Concerning the argument about whether the pictures of the aborted babies should have been used…..I was a young girl in Catholic school and considered myself in favor of abortion…..then I saw a picture….I immediately became pro life. A picture is worth a thousand words.
New post by Dr. Peters: http://canonlawblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/is-john-wesley-really-ministerial-model.html
Am I wrong in saying that I dont’ understand why Father Frank is constantly posting on his FaceBook page like some kind of crusader? The responses are getting as scarey as they were with the Father Corapi mess turning into a “cult like atmosphere” where Father Frank is their all hailed leader?!!?!?!?!? I would think with what is going on between himself and his bishop he really should be silent until it is worked out no matter the outcome or am I wrong? Is that the wrong way to go about it? Thank You
Bishop Zurek took it public. He should now take his medicine.
From the Catechism:
“Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one’s neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity” (2479).
“…detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them” (2479b).
This sounds right up Bishop Zurek’s alley.
“Humility might make us indifferent even to a good reputation, were it not for charity’s sake; but seeing that it is a groundwork of society, and without it we are not merely useless but positively harmful to the world, because of the scandal given by such a deficiency, therefore charity requires, and humility allows, us to desire and to maintain a good reputation with care” (St. Francis de Sales, Bishop, Introduction to the Devout Life).
Enough! Apologize for releasing the letter Bishop Zurek!
[…] Fr. Pavone and the Alamo […]
May I make a geographical correction?
You say, “Not so far from Amarillo is the site of one of the great Pyrrhic victories in American history, The Alamo.” Actually, Amarillo is a 511-mile drive from San Antonio, where the Alamo is located.
Given the size of the state and the fortitude of its residents, perhaps, to a Texan, 511 miles may seem “not so far”!
The heart of the Fr. Pavone story is so obvious that we are all missing it. Politics. No, not Church Politics, National Politics. In 2008, Fr. Pavone was outspokenly anti-Obama. In 2010, Fr. Pavone paticipated in the protest against Obama speaking at Notre Dame University. The Presidential election is next year. Right now, Obama’s poll numbers keep sinking. Obama needs every vote he can get to get re-elected. So how does this look to Obama and his people? Fr. Pavone needs to be taken out. This is National Politics, Chicago-Style.
Where does Bishop Zurek come in? According to Huffington Post columnist Father Alberto Cutie (Episcopalian), Sept. 19: “His bishop in Amarillo is certainly much more progressive than he is, so there could be some ideological clashes there…” Okay, do these “ideological clashes” translate into the Bishop’s Democratic associations? Those associations include a relationship with former Mayor of San Antonio, Ed Garza. Garza appointed Bishop Zurek to serve on his Committee on Integrity and Trust in Local Government for the city of San Antonio. Ed Garza, sharing the Democratic leanings of other Hispanics in Texas, endorsed Obama in 2008, saying: “Senator Obama’s unique ability to bring people together and bridge partisan divides make him the best candidate to bring change we can believe in.”
I don’t want to suggest that Bishop Zurek himself is being a party to a ‘dirty tricks campaign’ against Fr. Frank Pavone, but the possibility exists that circumstances around the Bishop have been manipulated, with an agenda in mind.
Obama and abortion: according to Fr. Pavone, these are two tragedies, and they are linked. And so, Fr. Pavone is being targetted by very powerful people, including multinationals. UNFPA (the United Nations Population Fund) is an abortion provider in China which was found complicit in the coercive implementation of China’s One Child Policy, following an investigation headed by Secretary of State Colin Powell in 2001. Coercive implementation includes fines, detentions, forced abortions, forced sterilizations, beatings,and home destructions.
Obama stated that he “strongly opposes” forced abortion in China. Really? Then why did he restore funding of the UNFPA?
Now, sweetening up Obama’s class warfare strategy, Warren Buffett may claim to pay less taxes than his secretary (in fact, with the current level of sleght-of-hand accounting practices, perhaps he pays zero), but he is the director of Berkshire Hathaway, and that organization is one of the largest donors to abortion clinics in America.
There are people who are now advocating a One Child Policy worldwide. A One-World Government, put into place after the panic of a carefully planned worldwide financial meltdown, would institute many draconian regulations. Fr. Frank Pavone would be an encumbrance in this Brave New World, wouldn’t he?
I respectfully disagree with the complaints parents are having about their childern seeing the graphic images. You said that young children are not mentally and emotionally ready to process these images. And forgive me if I am being too presumptous, but I believe that it’s more about the parents not being mentally and emotionally ready to talk to their children about abortion and explain what the pictures mean. It’s understandable that any parent would want to protect their children from even knowing of the evils in this world. But imagine how much good they could do if you explain to them in a calm manner what these evils are and to instill in them, at a young age, the courage and desire to fight these evils. Of course this is my own opinion.
This novena for both Bishop Zurek & Fr. Frank is an awesome way to give some real support both ways. I must say though: Father Frank has been fighting to rid the country of legalized abortion which is not an “occupation”, it’s a vocation. It’s his life calling. The late Cardinal John O’Connor knew this. And so do countless bishops and cardinals in the Church. They know how valuable Fr. Pavone’s work is. And when all is said and done, they will make sure that the voice of Father Frank and the work of Priests for Life remains strong and vibrant! I pray and hope that the “self-fulfilling prophecy,” pro-abortion bloggers who are filling the Internet with false claims that Priests for Life is about to close its doors understand that we Catholics can hold it together and that we will not be dormant. Holy Priest of Ars, I have confidence in your intercession. Pray for all those whose faith is shaken by this rupture between a priest and his bishop, that these two men may come to understand that the faith of the faithful is an equal concern alongside zeal for the unborn.
Karl,
My Texas friends tell me it’s just a stone’s throw! 😉
Dan,
My children are pro-life activists’ kids. They know about abortion and all about my life’s work. However, they get information in doses that I think they are ready to handle. They’re MY children and I”M their father. Part of why I homeschool them is so that they don’t get sex ed shoved down their throats in the early grades. The same issue is at play here.
Beyond that, there is the ethical issue of the right use of a murdered human being’s remains being used for public display. If the case could be made that these babie’s images may be rightly used for educational purposes, fine. But what is going on in Amarillo is not educational, and just as with sex ed, the rights of the parents must be respected. It’s crap like this that kept me away from the movement for years.
Bang on again, Dr Nadal! Your children are fortunate!
I am struck by how rightgeous so many who use the tragic pictures of our little dead brothers and sisters sound. It seemd that they feel justified by once again almost turning these babies into objects not people.
I am a woman that had an abprtion many years ago now, and I have been loved and prayed back to sanity by the gentle and merciful care of good priests and any fine pro-life folks. i was never required to loom at those sad pictures. I knew who I had killed, my own child. No woman needs to be shown those pictures to soften our hearts. We needed compsssion mingled w/ truth about our dignity and our children’s.as well. We feel their death more completely then i fear Fr Frank ever will. It is only God’s mercy that lifts that burden.
I wish Fr Frank would reject the use of these images, as well as the current protest. I know it will just harden the hearts of those who will see them and understand only anger in the use of them agaiinst their Bishop.
Lili,
God Bless you! I’ve always felt for post-abortive women where these pictures are concerned. You’re right, women need to be loved and prayed back to health.
Gently.
Mercifully.
Dr. Nadal,
Of course you have to right as a parent to decide what your children learn and when and how. I was not insinuating otherwise, I just meant to offer a perspective that some may not have thought of.
Yes Fr. Pavone and Greg Cunningham are friends. Yes Fr. Pavone is a Board Member of CBR. But neither of these factors can stop Cunningham from doing something he is determined to do. Friends can disagree, a single Board Member cannot override the president of the organization. And it seems to me that Cunningham has his own agenda in this. Probably just trying to use the situation to gain exposure for CBR.
ed peters said the following in his blog at IN THE LIGHT OF THE LAW: “Both sides have made mistakes in this mess but Zurek’s errors have to some degree been corrected. Pavone, however, continues to operate, I fear, on a faulty understanding of, among other things, Church structure and practice.”
How very Draconian of the bishop and how presumptuous and closed minded of ed peters to claim and state that the bishop has corrected his errors BECAUSE MR. ED PETERS: HE HASNT!
First the bishop put clouds of doubt and smeared the good name of a man who stands up to people JUST LIKE THE BISHOP, planned parenthood, as well as those who does not have the balls and the backbone to stand up against abortion.
AND … zurek even went so far as to tell people to STOP GIVING DONATIONS TO PRIESTS FOR LIFE?
That is absolutely INSANE!!! in fact IS the BISHOP insane? Who in their right minds will tell people to stop donating to an organization that survives on donations without any proof at all that the funds are being mismanaged? Did zurek discover and exposed Fr. Frank that he had a house in the swiss alps? did zurek discover off shore accounts of Fr. Frank?
what? …
WHAT? ….
Just what did he see for him to say what he said and do what he did?
All that zurek said was Fr. Pavone is not suspended and is in good standing.
How did he correct his mistake? WHERE is it that he said, “I MADE A RUSH TO GIVE COMMENT ON THE FINANCIAL ASPECT OF PRIESTS FOR LIFE SO PLEASE … PLEASE CONTINUE TO DONATE TO PRIESTS FOR LIFE BECAUSE THEIR WORK IS ALL ABOUT SAVING LIVES”.
Again I ask: Just what exactly has he done to rectify the situation because I find there is none! If releasing that clarification statement is considered him rectifying the situation then somebody has to explain something to ed peters.
The damage is already done!!! Can anyone else not see this?
Planned Parenthood is having a party right now! All they are doing are sitting back and laughing because while all this drama, chaos and controversy that zurek himself caused is unfolding, “THE LUCRATIVE BUSINESS” of the abortion industry is surely increasing.
How many babies are being slaughtered each and every single day?
Some of us need to stop hiding behind the bishops albs and grow a backbone for once in their lives and start to speak up for those voices that cant.
To all those that say Fr. Frank Pavone is a priest first and foremost and should just stay quiet, behind the scenes and just preach in masses … well … to that I say:
Just like there is only one St. Teresa of Calcutta,
One Ronald Reagan who ended the cold war
One Pope John Paul II
One Corporal Dakota L. Meyer
There is only ONE Fr. Frank Pavone.
{Note from Dr. Nadal} And as Deacon Greg Kandra wrote in response to this same post when you left it on his blog under the name “Faye”:
Faye…
Of that honorable list, only one has ever complained petulantly and publicly about being given an order that they didn’t want to follow.
Guess which one.
Dcn. G.
Seth,
So, why did Fr. Pavone boast about the flying banners on twitter if he really disagreed with Cunningham?
Thank you, Dr Nadal, for you gentle comments.
I am sorry that I am a terrible typist! Am grateful for your understanding and the wisdom with which you are discussing all of these matters.
What too many pro-lifers seem to forget is that if we are faithful people we do not need to fret over the fate of the babies. Mercifully they are in the hands of the loving Lord who made them. John Paul II spoke of that in the Evangelium Vitea.
We are called to work for justice here on earth for them because it is right and proper. that means we need not fear the struggle, we must do the work placed befor all of us. speak to our friends/family, write lawmakers, help mothers in crisis. We all can do what Fr Frank does, and we will speak to people he may never touch by doing so!
The idea that only he can do this is scary and shocking. We can all be movers and shakers for life. Stop being so star struck! Maybe God wants YOU to be the next good leader!
“It’s crap like this that kept me away from the movement for years.”
So you avoided the fight to protect babies in the womb because people were displaying what was happening to them? Shoud we have held back the pictures of murdered jews by the Nazis?
No Jasper, I fought it in other arenas, like working to save teen prostitutes in Times Square NY for seven years. They matter too. The shrill voices who lack charity do as much harm as they do good. These pictures can be used in an appropriate setting. Laser-guided bombs are more effective than high altitude carpet bombing.
“No Jasper, I fought it in other arenas, like working to save teen prostitutes in Times Square NY for seven years. They matter too.”
yes, they do. That is very good work too, well done.
You know what a good alternative to the dead baby photos (so you don’t scare the kids) is too use those 4d ultrasound pictures, they are quite amazing.
Although, our pro-life group at church only prays and recites the rosary at the locak abortion clinic and we still get shouted at with awful names, the finger, slandered in the local press.
Gerard M. Nadal
Sheila,
There are a great many bishops who have assigned their priests to ministry at PFL, who work in support of the pro-life movement. Posts like yours sugest that you are the type of Catholic that Father Pavone has cultivated or attracted these past 20 years:
Rebels who trash the bishops.
So, of course they’ll just warm to the cause, right?
SHEILA: I just found your reply because I was subscribng to a blog. Strange how I didnt gett a notice that you replied in my e-mail. So what does this mean,”Posts like yours”? I never even followed Fr. Frank. Just tired of people with blinders on their eyes. Say, have you heard the latest about Bish Z? He reported he never read Fr. Frank’s financial records. Strange isn’t it? He had a question about Fr. Frank’s finances, but doesn’t even bother to read the audits. Go figure. What cause are we talking about? the 50 million babies that were slaughtered? BTW, Jesus was considered a rebel in his time, so I am in great company.
You are referring to an article by Jill Stanek, who refers to a letter that has not been made public, and which is a mischaracterization of the record that does exist.
I generally agree with what you wrote. My only concern is the idea that this particular showing of pictures of aborted babies is unjustified because of its location, and that young children might see them. My concern is this: where then would you consider such pictures justified? Only behind closed doors on university campuses? Anywhere the public is, might be young children. I think that particular part of your argument is too strong, unless you really think that such pictures are generally and always unjustified, and so in this case a fortiori.