The Pros and Cons of Reinstating Frank Pavone and Bishop Strickland

The Pros and Cons of Reinstating Frank Pavone and Assigning a Diocese to Bishop Strickland: A Church Divided

The Catholic Church has faced significant internal tensions in recent years, particularly under the papacy of Pope Francis, whose progressive reforms have clashed with conservative factions. Two prominent figures, Frank Pavone and Bishop Joseph Strickland, have been at the center of these controversies, both disciplined by Pope Francis for actions deemed divisive and disobedient. The election of Pope Leo XIV in May 2025 has sparked speculation about whether he might reverse these decisions—reinstating Pavone to the priesthood and assigning a diocese to Strickland. This blog post examines the pros and cons of such moves, their potential to deepen division, and why Pope Leo XIV is likely to maintain the status quo to avoid undermining his predecessor.

Background: Pavone and Strickland’s Controversies

Frank Pavone, former national director of Priests for Life, was laicized by the Vatican in November 2022 for “blasphemous communications on social media” and “persistent disobedience” to his diocesan bishop, Patrick J. Zurek of Amarillo, Texas. Pavone’s actions included a 2016 video where he placed an aborted fetus on an altar to endorse Donald Trump, an act Bishop Zurek called a “desecration” and “against the dignity of human life.” He also tweeted inflammatory remarks, such as withholding absolution from Catholics voting Democrat without repentance, which the Amarillo Diocese disavowed as “scandalous” and inconsistent with Church teachings. Pavone’s persistent defiance, including continuing to celebrate Mass post-laicization, and his claim that “the next pope can reinstate me” reflect a pattern of disobedience.

Bishop Joseph Strickland, former bishop of Tyler, Texas, was removed from his diocese in November 2023 after an investigation deemed his leadership “not feasible” due to his vocal criticism of Pope Francis. Strickland accused Francis of undermining the “truth of the Gospel” and posted on X in 2020, “You cannot be Catholic and be a Democrat,” endorsing a video that fueled division. His 2023 X post called Pavone’s laicization a “blasphemy” while decrying “evil” Vatican officials and priests promoting “gender confusion,” further stoking distrust in Church leadership.

Both figures have cultivated followings among conservative Catholics, amplifying their influence through social media and public appearances, often framing their punishments as persecution for their pro-life stance or orthodoxy.

Pros of Reinstating Pavone and Assigning Strickland a Diocese

1. Appeasing Conservative Catholics
   Reinstating Pavone and giving Strickland a diocese could placate a significant portion of the U.S. Catholic base, particularly those aligned with traditionalist and pro-life movements. Pavone’s Priests for Life is a leading anti-abortion organization, and his reinstatement could energize pro-life activism. Similarly, Strickland’s outspoken defense of traditional teachings resonates with Catholics wary of Francis’s reforms. Their return might reduce perceptions of alienation among conservatives, fostering unity. Pavone’s 2022 X post, “May God Richly Bless and Guide Pope Leo XIV!” suggests he sees potential for reconciliation under the new pope.
2. Recognizing Their Pro-Life Contributions
   Both Pavone and Strickland have been vocal pro-life advocates. Pavone’s decades-long leadership of Priests for Life has made it a powerhouse in anti-abortion advocacy, while Strickland’s public stance against abortion has earned him admiration. Reinstating them could be seen as affirming their contributions to a core Catholic issue, potentially strengthening the Church’s moral witness. Pavone’s 2019 Vatican permission to transfer dioceses indicates some prior support for his ministry.
3. Countering Progressive Bias Perceptions
   Some conservatives argue that Francis disproportionately disciplined traditionalists while leniency was shown to progressive clergy. For example, critics question why priests advocating for same-sex marriage or other non-traditional views faced less severe penalties. Reinstating Pavone and Strickland could signal a balanced approach, addressing claims of ideological bias in Church governance.

Cons of Reinstating Pavone and Assigning Strickland a Diocese

1. Deepening Division and Distrust
   Reinstating Pavone and Strickland risks exacerbating divisions within the Church. Their public criticisms of Pope Francis have sown distrust among the faithful. Strickland’s X post labeling Vatican officials as promoting “immorality & denial of the deposit of faith” undermines Church unity. Pavone’s defiant response to his laicization, calling it an “ecclesiastical abortion” and continuing to present himself as a priest, models disobedience. Their reinstatement could embolden further rebellion against papal authority, particularly among conservative factions already skeptical of Francis’s legacy.
2. Endorsing Disobedience
   Both Pavone and Strickland have histories of defying their superiors. Pavone’s conflicts with bishops, including Cardinal Edward Egan and Bishop Zurek, span decades, culminating in his 2022 laicization for “persistent disobedience.” Strickland’s removal followed his refusal to moderate his criticisms of Francis, despite warnings. Reinstating them could signal that defiance of Church authority is tolerable, undermining the canonical requirement of obedience vowed at ordination.
3. Fueling Hate and Scandal
   Pavone’s inflammatory actions, like the 2016 fetus video, were deemed scandalous, violating the dignity of human life and desecrating sacred space. His social media posts, including calling Democrats “baby killers,” have been criticized for fostering hate rather than dialogue. Strickland’s endorsement of Pavone’s laicization as a “blasphemy” and his broad attacks on Church leadership contribute to a rhetoric of animosity. Their reinstatement could amplify such divisive rhetoric, alienating moderate Catholics and harming the Church’s credibility.
4. Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Pavone
   In 2023, Pavone faced sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women, reported to the Amarillo Diocese and New York Archdiocese before his laicization. These unresolved claims, including a detailed 2009 report, raise serious concerns about his fitness for ministry. Reinstating him without addressing these allegations risks further scandal and distrust.

Pope Leo XIV’s Likely Stance

Pope Leo XIV, elected on May 8, 2025, as the first American pope, has emphasized continuity with Francis’s priorities, such as inclusivity and dialogue. In his first remarks, he stressed building “bridges and dialogue” and showing “charity, presence, and love.” Reinstating Pavone or assigning Strickland a diocese would likely be perceived as overruling or correcting Francis, whose decisions were made with papal authority. Such a move could alienate Francis’s supporters and signal a reversal of his reformist agenda, undermining Leo’s call for unity.

Moreover, the canonical processes behind Pavone’s laicization and Strickland’s removal were thorough. Pavone’s dismissal, approved by the Dicastery for the Clergy and Pope Francis, was deemed final, with “no possibility of appeal.” Strickland’s removal followed an investigation into his governance, reflecting deliberate Church judgment. Overturning these decisions would require extraordinary justification, which neither figure’s public behavior—marked by ongoing defiance and division—supports.

X posts reflect the polarized sentiment. One user called Pavone and Strickland “unrepentant sinners” who should not return without public confession, highlighting their perceived harm to the Church. Conversely, Pavone’s and Strickland’s supporters view their punishments as unjust, tied to their pro-life zeal. Leo XIV, aware of these fault lines, is likely to avoid actions that inflame tensions, maintaining the status quo to foster stability.

Conclusion

Reinstating Frank Pavone and assigning a diocese to Bishop Joseph Strickland could temporarily appease conservative Catholics and affirm their pro-life contributions but would come at a steep cost. Their histories of disobedience, divisive rhetoric, and scandalous actions risk deepening division, fostering hate, and eroding trust in Church authority. Pope Leo XIV, committed to unity and dialogue, is unlikely to reverse Pope Francis’s decisions, as doing so would appear to correct his predecessor and destabilize the Church. For now, Pavone and Strickland’s return seems improbable, as the Church navigates its path toward healing and reconciliation.

Sources:

• Newsweek, “Conservative Ex-Bishop Strickland, Who Francis Removed, Reacts to New Pope”
• Catholic News Agency, “Vatican Dismisses Father Frank Pavone from Priesthood”
• Wikipedia, “Frank Pavone”
• Reddit, “What did ‘Fr.’ Frank Pavone do?”
• Catholic News Agency, “Priests for Life’s Frank Pavone: ‘The Next Pope Can Reinstate Me’”
• OSV News, “Former Priest Frank Pavone Faces Sexual Misconduct Allegations”
• Angelus News, “Vatican Dismisses Father Frank Pavone for Blasphemous Posts, Disobedience”
• Catholic Telegraph, “Frank Pavone Cancels Mass But Vows Legal Action”
• Catholic News Agency, “Vatican Dismisses Father Frank Pavone from Priesthood”
• NEWSMAX, Nov. 17, 2023
• @StevanBolton

  , May 13, 2025