Amarillo, Texas, Sep 28, 2011 / 10:12 am
Following demonstrations of support, Priests for Life founder Father Frank Pavone has asked his supporters to be thoughtful, respectful and prayerful in the dispute with his bishop.
“I would not presume to tell others how to exercise their expressive rights under the U.S. Constitution, but I want to encourage everyone in this great pro-life movement of ours to continue to be to calm, respectful, thoughtful, peaceful and above all prayerful in the manner in which they go about supporting me, personally, and the Priests for Life family of ministries that I head,” Fr. Pavone said on Sept. 27.
Bishop Patrick J. Zurek of Amarillo, Texas suspended Fr. Pavone from public ministry outside his home diocese, beginning Sept. 13. He cited “deep concerns” about the financial stewardship of Priests for Life ministries and said Fr. Pavone had disobeyed him. Fr. Pavone had failed to audit the financials of all the Priests for Life ministries, he said.
Some supporters of Fr. Pavone organized protests in Amarillo. An airplane and large trucks featuring graphic images of aborted babies circled St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral and school in Amarillo, the Amarillo Globe News reports. One demonstrator, Gregg Cunningham, also was outside the cathedral, carrying a sign asking Bishop Zurek to “free” Fr. Pavone.