Outspoken pro-life priest defrocked by Vatican

Roman Catholic priest Frank Pavone was removed from the priesthood on Nov. 9 over what the Vatican called “blasphemous communications on social media” and disobedience to his bishop. A letter to U.S. bishops from Archbishop Christophe Pierre was released over the weekend and says Pavone has no chance to appeal the decision. The letter did not detail the actions that led to Pavone’s defrocking. Pavone leads the pro-life organization Priests for Life and regularly posts on social media about his support for work protecting unborn children. His laicization comes at a time when Catholic bishops in the United States have recommitted to ending abortion.

What other disagreements led to this point? Pavone frequently came into conflict with Amarillo Bishop Patrick Zurek, and in 2011 was successful in appealing restrictions on his ministry that Zurek placed on him. He was later investigated in 2016 by the Diocese of Amarillo for criticizing the Democratic Party for its continued support of abortion. Pavone’s supporters, including the bishop of Tyler, Texas, have called his defrocking unfounded.

Dig deeper: Read Leah Savas’ story in Vitals about a group of abortion survivors who found community and forgiveness.