Pavon said he didn’t learn about the Vatican’s decision, which includes on possibility for appeal, until it was reported Saturday in by the Catholic News Agency.
The news outlet based its reporting, at least in part, on a Dec. 13 letter to U.S. bishops from Archbishop Christophe Pierre, who serves as Pope Francis’ representative to the United States.
“Father Pavone was given ample opportunity to defend himself in the canonical proceedings, and he was also given multiple opportunities to submit himself to the authority of his diocesan bishop,” an attachment to letter states. “It was determined that Father Pavone had no reasonable justification for his actions.”
Pierre also writes: “This action was taken 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.”
Pavone is a member of the group Priests for Life, which says on its webpages that he remains a “priest in good standing,” but the page appears to include only information from 2020.
