Over the weekend, pro-life advocate Father Frank Pavone was removed from the Vatican. Amid the news, Pavone reaffirmed that he’d not stop fighting for life while other users stood with him in solidarity.
On Sunday, a representative for Pope Francis wrote a letter to the United States that was obtained by The New York Times. Pavone, head of the advocacy organization called Priests for Life and one-time religious advisor for President Trump, was dismissed back in November, The Times indicated, over “blasphemous communications on social media.”
Pavone mentioned that he hasn’t gotten any specifics as to which of his posts were “blasphemous.” Generally, he shares pro-life content and is very outspoken about his anti-abortion beliefs.
The letter indicated that there’d be “no possibility of appeal and directed that Rev. Frank Pavone be dismissed from the clerical state."
Pavone told LifeNews that despite pushback, he’d double down on his pro-life values.
This is not just an attack on me, but an effort by forces both inside and outside the Church to intimidate every courageous pro-life priest and lay activist. We see this in the arrests of pro-life advocates and the lack of response from law enforcement in more than 100 attacks against pro-life organizations. We see this in when some religious leaders provide cover for pro-abortion politicians like Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi. And we see it when some priests who violate canon law and also break civil law are supported while others, including myself, are chastised and ostracized for working to protect the unborn.
Pavone brought up a great point. While he’s getting shunned from the Church for affirming life, people who have no regard for unborn babies' lives like Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden are facing little to no condemnation regarding their idea that abortion is biblical.
Many Twitter users stood with Pavone.
What the hell is going on??? Father Frank PAVONE is a HERO. How many priests who MOLESTED CHILDREN have been allowed to stay in the priesthood, yet they KICK OUT Father Frank for making the case Against Abortion. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG! pic.twitter.com/6ySkfUXwHJ
— Greg Kelly (@gregkellyusa) December 18, 2022
“When you defend the unborn, you will be treated like them.” -Father Frank Pavone
— Abby Johnson (@AbbyJohnson) December 18, 2022
Keep defending them at all costs.
This brought tears to my eyes and pain to my heart.
— Obianuju Ekeocha (@obianuju) December 19, 2022
Frank Pavone has been a spiritual pillar within the pro-life movement.
He has preached the Gospel of Life to multitudes, and has accompanied so many on their conversion journey to the Faith.
He has been a gift to the Church. pic.twitter.com/LoYSePB2MM
Deeply shocking! Evidently the reason is he would not submit to his bishop’s attempt to restrict and control his organization “Priests for Life.”
— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) December 18, 2022
Vatican Dismisses Pro-Life Leader Father Frank Pavone From Priesthood - https://t.co/tHXA9frUzB https://t.co/VVODE47svY
Thing is, we aren’t told what Pavone did wrong. There have been no reports of actual demeanors, just accusations from people online. As of now, it just looks like the Church removed him on vague terms which is a pretty lefty thing to do.
What was clear here was that abortion is antithetical to biblical teachings and those who support abortion either have a different version of The Bible or choose to ignore said teachings.