Fr. Stephen Imbarrato, a veteran of Red Rose Rescues, worked directly with Fr. Pavone. His witness on this matter is worth listening to. Pray for everyone involved in this controversy. Celebrity priests are targets of satan and often pride damages much of their good work.
One thing that's clear here is that, as Fr. Imbarrato, Fr. Pavone "is not like the other cancelled priests." He will not be indigent. His future is secure. This event is likely to bring in even more money in fact. "The biggest problem is that people don't know what they don't know," Fr. Imbarrato says and that, "There were problems both internally and externally." The best thing for all of us is to pray. Fr. Imbarrato is correct when he says priests are not "Lone Rangers." And with money coming in by the millions, well, that kind of thing has corrupted many in the past. Let's all pray for Fr. Pavone and all those involved in this situation.
The Pillar has a good article on the entire controversy which is worth reading. (linked below) From all I've seen so far, it's accurate. I have to say that there is a danger to being a celebrity priest who considers himself above the law. When Padre Pio was disciplined, he obeyed and ultimately God decided things. Let's all pray for Fr. Pavone.
The problem with taking a "We don't know what we don't know" approach is that so many bishops and, I am sad to say this pope, have squandered the trust of the faithful. We do know that. They lack credibility.
ReplyDeleteAs always: the love of money is the root of all evil. I think the disobedience in this case is to give control over the funds of the pro-life organization
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love Fr. Stephen Imbarrato his video was lacking specific and updated information.
ReplyDeleteHe, like Benedict doesn't seem to believe in ecumenism of the return. He advises Catholics to put away their rosaries when praying with Prots in front of the slaughter houses.
ReplyDeletehttps://akacatholic.com/pavone-thrown-overboard/
I received this via e-mail and post it with permission.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann,
I watched the video made by Father Imbarrato. I also have a bit of a background as a gumshoe working both in and out of government. I further helped work 5-cases regarding Priests who had allegedly molested boys. Finally I used to carry around with me a tabbed copy of Canon Law.
I found Canon law to be fair and straight forward while providing many protections to the accused. However the Church bureaucracy was either ignorant of Canon Law or preferred to operate in deep secrecy. For instance I once called the Advocate for Justice for a great Archdiocese. Every Diocese is required to have one. I was curious as to why the Advocate was not assisting an accused priest as laid out in Canon Law. The advocate- priest in question had no idea what his responsibilities were under Canon Law. He actually thought that his duty was to advocate for fair housing! Fair and open Church legal proceedings are unknown in the USA.
For about 20-years now rumors have swirled around Pavone. Innuendo, gossip and tale bearing abound. Yet there have been no criminal trails either Church or secular for Pavone in the USA. During the same period hundreds of Cardinals, bishops,priests, seminarians and lay employees have molested children.
Pavone has the right to be considered innocent until proven otherwise. OTH Father Imbarrato has made numerous vague accusations of misconduct against Pavone without presenting facts, legal procedures, or investigative findings. Worse Father Imbarrato gave no opportunity in his video for Pavone to defend himself.
We need more transparency.
God bless
Richard W Comerford