A Reader comments on Eric Sammons' Article: The Sad Case of Frank Pavone

Crisis Magazine published The Sad Case of Frank Pavone by Eric Sammons a few days ago. Frankly, I'm getting a little tired of the discussion over Fr. Pavone and will probably drop it after this post. But some things are instructive and I think this situation is. Let's face it, celebrity priests do not have a good track record. Have you ever noticed how adulation often builds pride in the one basking in the spotlight? Being the center of attention sometimes makes people think rules don't apply to them -- even God's rules.

Think of Fr. Ken Roberts, Fr. John Corapi, Fr. Thomas Euteneuer, Fr. John McCloskey, Fr. Bruce Ritter, and possibly the most infamous, Fr. Marcial Maciel -- celebrity priests all. Don't misunderstand. I'm not saying Fr. Pavone is like any of them. I'm simply pointing out the danger of being a celebrity priest or, for that matter, being a celebrity Catholic layman. Celebrity is a serious danger! Being in the limelight, receiving accolades and awards.... sought out as keynote speakers on national platforms? To say the least, adulation is a heady narcotic, a temptation to pride which, as the Bible says, "goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov. 16:18) 

For the record, I don't think Fr. Pavone should be laicized. It sounds like the biggest accusation against him is disobedience to his ordinary, although, since there's a question about who that is, it adds to the tangle. Canon lawyer, Fr. Gerald Murray, questioned the legality of the action in an interview with Catholic News Agency. Apparently the public charges are not sufficient for forced dismissal from the priesthood under canon law. No doubt the controversy will continue for some time, one more exhausting battle in the Church. We sure don't need any more. The Vatican opened a real can of worms here, most likely, in my opinion, because of Fr. Pavone's promotion of Donald Trump. (One can certainly question the prudence of his passionate support.)

A friend, Art Benedetti, sent an e-mail commenting on the Crisis Magazine article by Sammons and I thought many of his points were spot on. (The literal meaning of the name "Benedetti" is "good sayings" which makes me smile.) I've known Art for decades. We sidewalk counseled together in Alexandria every week for many years. He is a dedicated pro-life activist who would give you the shirt off his back. He used to live in D.C. near the Missionaries of Charity and spent countless hours helping the sisters with all kinds of projects. He is one of my heroes. I saw him save many babies with his bold confrontation of the men practically dragging their wives/girlfriends into the facility to kill their little ones. Some people objected to his style. All I could respond was, "He saves babies." His voice is one that should be heard. So I'm sharing his email here with his permission:

Sidewalk counseling saves babies from death and moms from regret!

To All: 

There are two separate actions here. One of course is that of being a Priest assigned to a Diocese.

The second is that of running a Corporation.

Fr. Frank Pavone made his choice.  There has been a decades long bartering between Fr. Pavone and his Ordinary.

Certainly Fr. Pavone and the Corporation Priests for Life does fantastic things and will continue to do so no matter who runs the Corporation.

A Priest of God takes an Oath to be Faithful and Obedient to his Ordinary.

Padre PIO remained obedient as have many others.

Our Confession does not begin Bless me Father for I have Sinned not hardly as bad as these others.... We are judged by our Thoughts Words and Actions not in comparison to another's Thoughts Words or Actions.

What greater gift can a Priest of God be given?  Having God truly present in the Eucharist something only a Priest of God can do, Absolving Sins and saving Souls from Eternal Damnation, administering the Sacraments?

 Simply the point is -- being a Priest or a CEO.  Humility is not a gift given to CEO's.

Anyone can now run Priests for Life.

Fr. Pavone could have taken a PFL work sabbatical until he had a new Ordinary, current one to retire soon, but he didn't.

I met Fr. Pavone many times commencing before PFL forming.  I love the guy and wish him the very best.

Please understand that even though Fr. Pavone has been laicized the Corporation Priests for Life gets exceeding financially stronger and wealthier the more controversy is created.

Money does strange things to us Post Conceived Human Beings.

What greater gift is there, other than being a lowly Priest of God?

Merry Christmas to everyone.  

Thank God for Life!

Arturo Benedetti

I'll close with several observations of my own. I've never had any personal contact with Fr. Pavone, but I've certainly admired much of his work from a distance. However, there are things that gave me pause. Even the name of the organization, Priests for Life, was somewhat dishonest. How many priests were involved? The group has never been Catholic. It's inter-denominational and Fr. Pavone actually discouraged praying the rosary at abortion facilities in favor of the psalms, since that wouldn’t offend Protestants. If that doesn't make Catholics a little queasy, they don't consider the rosary much of a weapon against abortion. When I was sidewalk counseling I always depended on the rosary support of those who came so faithfully to pray for Our Lady's intercession. God bless them all. I attribute all our saved babies to those prayer warriors.

I don’t think Fr. Pavone should be forcibly removed from the priesthood, but neither do I think he is a totally innocent party pure as the new-driven snow. There seems to be plenty of evidence that he sees himself as a lone ranger who has no need to listen to his superiors if what they say conflicts with what he wants to do. And the fact that the controversy is fueling a push for even MORE MONEY for a corporation that brings in millions raises a big red flag for me. It doesn’t seem like Fr. Pavone ever accounted for the multi-millions the organization has taken in already, especially in the early years with the understanding that he was going to start a priestly congregation and build a seminary. He abandoned that plan within a few years. Where did all that money go?

This latest controversy, from a financial point of view, is a a great fund-raising opportunity. 

We all need to pray for Fr. Pavone, but I personally won't be sending any money unless there's accountability for the millions already donated.