In the mail this morning: "I'm writing on behalf of Father Frank…"

A colleague at work passed along an interesting and especially timely email he got this morning.  It’s dated yesterday and comes from Priests for Life.  Some of you may have gotten it as well.

It begins:

I’m writing on behalf of Father Frank [Pavone].

My name is Jerry Horn and I am the Senior Vice President for Priests for Life…

…Let me tell you why Father asked me to send you this email.

On Wednesday, October 5, Priests for Life will mark its 20th Anniversary with a Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco.  The Most Reverend George Niederauer, the Archbishop of San Francisco, has enthusiastically agreed [to] be the main celebrant for the 6:00 p.m. Mass.  His support reflects that of many bishops.

Father Frank had intended to write to you himself and invite you to join us for the Mass, but time simply got away from him.  In fact, he just finished taping the “Defending Life” series of TV shows at EWTN, and is now at his diocese in Amarillo.

So he asked me to write to you in his place.

It goes on to celebrate the great work of  Fr. Pavone for a couple more pages.  It also asks for a donation so they can present him with a sizable check at the anniversary Mass, to keep the PFL’s “important projects and programs going full-speed ahead.”

There’s no mention of yesterday’s big news.

UPDATE: Canon lawyer Ed Peters looks at the dispute between Fr. Pavone and his bishop and offers his analysis.