Frank Pavone, a prominent and outspoken Catholic leader in the anti-abortion movement who also once served as a spiritual adviser for Trump, has been removed from the priesthood by the Vatican without any stated possibility of an appeal, although Pavone talked about what he perceived as an opportunity for action by whoever becomes the Pope next.
Pavone’s past record of public activism and commentary includes a suggestion he would deny absolution for Catholics who voted for Democrats and a 2016 incident in which he delivered pro-Trump remarks with fetal remains taken from an abortion on what appeared in footage to be an altar in front of him. Pavone was both officially and unofficially involved with Trump’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns, although he departed from Catholic and pro-life 2020 campaign groups amid what was apparently a lack of the required approval for political involvement from higher-ups in the Catholic Church. The bishop leading the diocese under which Pavone served at the time spoke out after the incident involving the now former priest’s speech alongside fetal remains, promising an investigation and characterizing what happened as an affront to both the dignity associated with human life and the religious significance of the altar.
Pavone was also once suspended, although that move was undone in 2012. A letter from a representative of Pope Francis to the United States says Pavone’s removal was initiated “after Father Pavone was found guilty in canonical proceedings of blasphemous communications on social media, and of persistent disobedience of the lawful instructions of his diocesan bishop.” The letter sought to provide recipients with details in stated connection to Pavone’s high-profile status, in case parishioners had questions. That missive didn’t specify the nature of the disputed social media comments or his conflict with the bishop, although events in recent years certainly provide what seem like a lot of potential explanations for the removal. The letter from the Pope’s representative indicated Pavone was provided “ample opportunity to defend himself” as well as “multiple opportunities to submit himself to the authority of his diocesan bishop.”
Pavone admitted he refused to cooperate with an investigation that was opened after he spoke alongside fetal remains. Pavone has his own organization, Priests for Life, which he founded. It’s not an official church group, so it’s up to him and the others involved to grapple with potential hurdles poised by a group with that name seeing someone dismissed from the priesthood as its leader. He delivered the infamous pro-Trump remarks in 2016 at a headquarters for the organization.
