Frank Pavone
Encyclopedia
Father Frank A. Pavone is an American
Roman Catholic priest
and pro-life
activist. He was the national director of Priests for Life
and serves as the Chairman and Pastoral Director of Rachel's Vineyard
. He also is the President of the National Pro-Life Religious Council, an umbrella groups of various Christian denominations working to end abortion, and serves as Pastoral Director of the Silent No More awareness campaign.
to Joseph Pavone, who worked in his father's shoe supply business, and his wife, Marion, a bookkeeper until she became pregnant, and later worked as the Head Cashier in the local E. J. Korvette store. Pavone aspired to be an astronaut
as a child but decided to become a priest after volunteering at his parish, and after attending the 1976 March for Life
, decided to devote his life to the pro-life cause. After graduating as valedictorian
of his high school class, he enrolled in the Don Bosco College, a Salesian Major Seminary in Newton, New Jersey
, later leaving the Salesian Order and joining the Archdiocese of New York
.
John Joseph O'Connor at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City
. He served as a parish priest from 1988 to 1993. He is currently a priest of the Diocese of Amarillo, Texas
, and serves in pro-life ministry with his bishop's permission.
of the Diocese of Amarillo
, Texas
. In a letter sent to fellow bishops on September 9, 2011, Bishop Zurek pointed to "persistent questions and concerns about stewardship of finances" from clergy and laity about how the millions of dollars donated to Priests for Life are used. Pavone said he would comply with the request. On September 12, 2011, Pavone sent his own letter to the bishops, saying Priests for Life has operated with financial transparency and that Priests for Life has never paid him a salary and only covers a small residence, which costs about $2,000 a month, and "very small" expenses associated with the ministry. On September 14, 2011, Monsignor
Harold Waldow, head of clergy in the diocese, said Pavone remains a priest in good standing with the diocese and was ordered back because he was needed for work in the diocese. Pavone said, "I fully expect that my time in Amarillo, both in terms of this immediate trip and in terms of my affiliation with that diocese is going to be temporary." On September 22, 2011, Priests for Life mailed a fundraising letter from Pavone to supporters asking for donations. In the letter, Pavone said,
On September 30, 2011, Bishop Zurek said Pavone would remain in Amarillo "indefinitely". On October 3, 2011, Bishop Zurek sent a letter to Pavone saying, "I want only what is best for all organizations that support and promote those teachings that come from the heart of the Catholic Church on the dignity and gift of human life." Bishop Zurek and Pavone were set to meet privately on October 13, 2011, but Pavone did not attend at the advice of a canon lawyer working with Priests for Life.
controversy, having been on the limited visitors' list and having been at her bedside many times, including during her final hours. He delivered the homily
at Schiavo's funeral Mass
at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Gulfport, Florida
on April 5, 2005. He serves as a member of Dr. James Dobson
's Focus on the Family
Institute.
and Mother Angelica
. He received Norma McCorvey
, the "Jane Roe" of the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade
that legalized abortion in America who became a pro-life activist, into the Catholic Church in 1998.
. He was one of a few people legally allowed to enter Schiavo's room as she died and witnessed her final hours. The night before Schiavo died, Pavone spoke to the media and called Schiavo's husband, his attorney, and Judge George Greer
"murderers" for ordering the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube
.
where the child received a tracheotomy, and then to have him flown back home, breathing on his own without a machine. After successfully receiving the procedure in March 2011, Maraachli did return home, where he died in September 2011.
. Pavone explained in 2004 that most priests would vote for Bush, saying, "The President understands Christian moral values far better than John Kerry
does. In fact, the President, though not Catholic, also understands Catholicism better." In a controversial homily delivered on EWTN on July 14, 2008, Pavone reportedly indicated that if a person does not take steps to make abortion illegal, God would not hear that person's prayers. Pavone has also made statements comparing pro-choice politicians to terrorists. On his blog on September 18, 2008, Fr. Pavone wrote that Catholic Church property was an acceptable place for individuals to distribute literature stating that it is immoral to vote for Barack Obama
-- provided that the Church itself is not distributing or sponsoring the literature.
At the time that Republican presidential candidate John McCain
chose Sarah Palin
as his running mate in the presidential campaign, Pavone stated that Palin (who was raised a Protestant in the Assemblies of God
, although her mother was a "cradle Catholic") was a better Catholic than Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden
.
In January 2010, Pavone weighed in on the special election victory of Republican Scott Brown
to fill the late Ted Kennedy
's U.S. Senate seat. Although Brown has a moderately pro-choice stance, supporting certain restrictions, and supports keeping abortion legally available, Pavone hailed his victory as an example that "elections are the answer". Pavone added that the Democratic party ignored the will of the people and that the election of the pro-choice Brown showed that "the people respond at the voting booth to reclaim their own voice".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Roman Catholic priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
and pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
activist. He was the national director of Priests for Life
Priests for Life
Priests for Life is a Roman Catholic pro-life organization based in New York. It functions as a network to promote and coordinate pro-life activism with the primary strategic goal of ending abortion and euthanasia and to spread the Gospel of Life according to the encyclical of the same name...
and serves as the Chairman and Pastoral Director of Rachel's Vineyard
Rachel's Vineyard
Rachel's Vineyard is an organization offering weekend retreats for women who have had abortions and others who have been hurt by abortion.Rachel's Vineyard is a ministry of Priests for Life...
. He also is the President of the National Pro-Life Religious Council, an umbrella groups of various Christian denominations working to end abortion, and serves as Pastoral Director of the Silent No More awareness campaign.
Early life
Pavone was born in 1959 in Port Chester, New YorkPort Chester, New York
Port Chester is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. The village is part of the town of Rye. As of the 2010 census, Port Chester had a population of 28,967...
to Joseph Pavone, who worked in his father's shoe supply business, and his wife, Marion, a bookkeeper until she became pregnant, and later worked as the Head Cashier in the local E. J. Korvette store. Pavone aspired to be an astronaut
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
as a child but decided to become a priest after volunteering at his parish, and after attending the 1976 March for Life
March for Life
March for Life is an annual pro-life rally protesting abortion, held in Washington, D.C., on or around the anniversary of the United States Supreme Court's decision legalizing abortion in the case Roe v. Wade. The march is organized by the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. The overall goal...
, decided to devote his life to the pro-life cause. After graduating as valedictorian
Valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title conferred upon the student who delivers the closing or farewell statement at a graduation ceremony. Usually, the valedictorian is the highest ranked student among those graduating from an educational institution...
of his high school class, he enrolled in the Don Bosco College, a Salesian Major Seminary in Newton, New Jersey
Newton, New Jersey
Newton is a town in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the town population was 8,244. It is the county seat of Sussex County....
, later leaving the Salesian Order and joining the Archdiocese of New York
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York covers New York, Bronx, and Richmond counties in New York City , as well as Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties in New York state. There are 480 parishes...
.
Priesthood
Pavone was ordained a diocesan priest on November 12, 1988 by CardinalCardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
John Joseph O'Connor at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He served as a parish priest from 1988 to 1993. He is currently a priest of the Diocese of Amarillo, Texas
Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo is a Roman Catholic diocese in Amarillo Texas. It was founded on August 3, 1926 .The diocese's past bishops include:*Rudolph Gerken *Robert Emmet Lucey *Laurence Julius...
, and serves in pro-life ministry with his bishop's permission.
Suspension from extra-diocesan activity
On September 6, 2011, Pavone was ordered back to his diocese by his bishop, Patrick ZurekPatrick Zurek
Patrick James Zurek is the current Bishop of Amarillo since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI on 3 January 2008. Zurek trained in Rome as a moral theologian who was a chaplain at the Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital during his seminary days.Zurek was ordained a priest in Rome on 29 June 1975 by...
of the Diocese of Amarillo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo is a Roman Catholic diocese in Amarillo Texas. It was founded on August 3, 1926 .The diocese's past bishops include:*Rudolph Gerken *Robert Emmet Lucey *Laurence Julius...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. In a letter sent to fellow bishops on September 9, 2011, Bishop Zurek pointed to "persistent questions and concerns about stewardship of finances" from clergy and laity about how the millions of dollars donated to Priests for Life are used. Pavone said he would comply with the request. On September 12, 2011, Pavone sent his own letter to the bishops, saying Priests for Life has operated with financial transparency and that Priests for Life has never paid him a salary and only covers a small residence, which costs about $2,000 a month, and "very small" expenses associated with the ministry. On September 14, 2011, Monsignor
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
Harold Waldow, head of clergy in the diocese, said Pavone remains a priest in good standing with the diocese and was ordered back because he was needed for work in the diocese. Pavone said, "I fully expect that my time in Amarillo, both in terms of this immediate trip and in terms of my affiliation with that diocese is going to be temporary." On September 22, 2011, Priests for Life mailed a fundraising letter from Pavone to supporters asking for donations. In the letter, Pavone said,
On September 30, 2011, Bishop Zurek said Pavone would remain in Amarillo "indefinitely". On October 3, 2011, Bishop Zurek sent a letter to Pavone saying, "I want only what is best for all organizations that support and promote those teachings that come from the heart of the Catholic Church on the dignity and gift of human life." Bishop Zurek and Pavone were set to meet privately on October 13, 2011, but Pavone did not attend at the advice of a canon lawyer working with Priests for Life.
Pro-life activism
Father Pavone provided much commentary during the Terri SchiavoTerri Schiavo
The Terri Schiavo case was a legal battle in the United States between the legal guardians and the parents of Teresa Marie "Terri" Schiavo that lasted from 1998 to 2005...
controversy, having been on the limited visitors' list and having been at her bedside many times, including during her final hours. He delivered the homily
Homily
A homily is a commentary that follows a reading of scripture. In Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox Churches, a homily is usually given during Mass at the end of the Liturgy of the Word...
at Schiavo's funeral Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
at the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Gulfport, Florida
Gulfport, Florida
Gulfport is a city in Pinellas County, Florida and a suburb of St. Petersburg. The population of Gulfport was 12,527 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau was 12,740. Gulfport is part of the Tampa-St...
on April 5, 2005. He serves as a member of Dr. James Dobson
James Dobson
James Clayton "Jim" Dobson, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian author, psychologist, and founder in 1977 of Focus on the Family , which he led until 2003. In the 1980s he was ranked as one of the most influential spokesman for conservative social positions in American public life...
's Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
Institute.
Priests for Life
In 1993, Cardinal O'Connor appointed him the full-time national director of Priests for Life. He gained prominence through his work with the group, traveling to all fifty states and personally working with Mother TeresaMother Teresa
Mother Teresa , born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu , was a Roman Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, in 1950...
and Mother Angelica
Mother Angelica
Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA is an American Roman Catholic nun who founded the Eternal Word Television Network. In 1944 she entered the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, a Franciscan religious order for women, as a postulant, and a year later she was admitted to the order as a...
. He received Norma McCorvey
Norma McCorvey
Norma Leah McCorvey , better known by the legal pseudonym "Jane Roe", was the plaintiff in the landmark American lawsuit Roe v. Wade in 1973. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned individual states' laws against abortion by ruling them unconstitutional...
, the "Jane Roe" of the Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade, , was a controversial landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court on the issue of abortion. The Court decided that a right to privacy under the due process clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution extends to a woman's decision to have an abortion,...
that legalized abortion in America who became a pro-life activist, into the Catholic Church in 1998.
Terri Schiavo
Father Pavone was a spiritual advisor to the family of Terri SchiavoTerri Schiavo
The Terri Schiavo case was a legal battle in the United States between the legal guardians and the parents of Teresa Marie "Terri" Schiavo that lasted from 1998 to 2005...
. He was one of a few people legally allowed to enter Schiavo's room as she died and witnessed her final hours. The night before Schiavo died, Pavone spoke to the media and called Schiavo's husband, his attorney, and Judge George Greer
George Greer
George W. Greer was an American judge serving in the Pinellas-Pasco County Circuit Court, family law division, in Clearwater, Florida, who received national attention when he presided over the Terri Schiavo case....
"murderers" for ordering the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube
Feeding tube
A feeding tube is a medical device used to provide nutrition to patients who cannot obtain nutrition by swallowing. The state of being fed by a feeding tube is called gavage, enteral feeding or tube feeding...
.
Baby Joseph
In 2011, Pavone was involved in assisting the family of Moe Maraachli, a Canadian man who, with his wife, sought medical procedure for their dying son, who came to be known as "Baby Joseph", but were refused the treatment in Canada. They turned to Pavone for assistance, and he arranged, through his Priests for Life organization, to have the baby transferred to SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. LouisSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
where the child received a tracheotomy, and then to have him flown back home, breathing on his own without a machine. After successfully receiving the procedure in March 2011, Maraachli did return home, where he died in September 2011.
Political activity
In September 2004, Pavone addressed a group of delegates to the Republican National Convention in New York, saying, "Isn't it great to be among Catholics who aren't afraid to be political? And isn't it great to find a few priests who aren't afraid to be political?" Arguing that abortion was the "single issue" that mattered in the election of 2004, Pavone endorsed George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. Pavone explained in 2004 that most priests would vote for Bush, saying, "The President understands Christian moral values far better than John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
does. In fact, the President, though not Catholic, also understands Catholicism better." In a controversial homily delivered on EWTN on July 14, 2008, Pavone reportedly indicated that if a person does not take steps to make abortion illegal, God would not hear that person's prayers. Pavone has also made statements comparing pro-choice politicians to terrorists. On his blog on September 18, 2008, Fr. Pavone wrote that Catholic Church property was an acceptable place for individuals to distribute literature stating that it is immoral to vote for Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
-- provided that the Church itself is not distributing or sponsoring the literature.
At the time that Republican presidential candidate John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
chose Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
as his running mate in the presidential campaign, Pavone stated that Palin (who was raised a Protestant in the Assemblies of God
Assemblies of God
The Assemblies of God , officially the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, is a group of over 140 autonomous but loosely-associated national groupings of churches which together form the world's largest Pentecostal denomination...
, although her mother was a "cradle Catholic") was a better Catholic than Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden
Joe Biden
Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama...
.
In January 2010, Pavone weighed in on the special election victory of Republican Scott Brown
Scott Brown
Scott Brown is a United States senator.Scott Brown may also refer to:-Sportsmen:*Scott Brown , American college football coach of Kentucky State...
to fill the late Ted Kennedy
Ted Kennedy
Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. Serving almost 47 years, he was the second most senior member of the Senate when he died and is the fourth-longest-serving senator in United States history...
's U.S. Senate seat. Although Brown has a moderately pro-choice stance, supporting certain restrictions, and supports keeping abortion legally available, Pavone hailed his victory as an example that "elections are the answer". Pavone added that the Democratic party ignored the will of the people and that the election of the pro-choice Brown showed that "the people respond at the voting booth to reclaim their own voice".