[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 160 (Tuesday, November 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    25 YEARS A PRIEST: FR. PAVONE'S LEADERSHIP TRANSFORMATIONAL IN 
                      DEFENDING VULNERABLE PEOPLE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 12, 2013

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, some of the many friends of Fr. 
Frank Pavone are tonight in Staten Island, New York, celebrating a 
significant milestone in the life of this extraordinarily brave and 
compassionate priest--his 25th year since ordination and 20 years at 
the helm of Priests for Life.
   Fr. Pavone was ordained in 1988 by Cardinal O'Connor. By 1993 he 
became National Director of Priests for Life. His faith, determination 
and leadership ever since has been transformational in the cause of 
defending vulnerable people from violence, hatred and indifference.
   Fr. Pavone's passionate defense of the child in the womb is rivaled 
only by his compassion and outreach to post-abortive women--the other 
victims. His homilies are not only incisive and well composed but 
extremely sensitive to the pain and agony unleashed by abortion. He is 
the author of two books: Ending Abortion, Not Just Fighting It and Pro-
Life Reflections for Every Day.
   Fr. Pavone has persistently called on us all to recognize, ask and 
receive the unfathomable love, reconciliation and divine mercy readily 
available from God. Priests for Life ministries--Rachel's Vineyard and 
the Silent No More Awareness Campaign--provide a roadmap for recovery 
and healing for many. Even Norma McCorvey, the ``Jane Roe'' of the 
Supreme Court's infamous 1973 Roe vs. Wade abortion decision, called 
Fr. Frank ``the catalyst that brought me into the Catholic Church.''
   Underscoring the importance and relevance of Fr. Pavone's Priests 
for Life, last October twelve bishops and three cardinals, including 
Cardinals Schonborn, Martino and Keeler wrote: ``His Holiness Pope 
Benedict XVI has stated that the Church is called `to advance the 
common good and to show respect for the persons who are most 
defenseless, starting with the unborn.' '' The letter continued: 
``Throughout the world, one of the ways the Church is responding to 
that mission is through the work of Priests for Life, which encompasses 
an entire family of ministries involving both clergy and laity. This 
ministry, which includes education, parish activation, training in pro-
life spirituality, promotion of faithful citizenship and healing of 
women and men after abortion deserves the support of the entire Church 
. . . Established in 1991, Priests for Life has enjoyed strong support 
at every level of the Church . . .''
   Fr. Pavone radiates the love of Christ to the weak and 
disenfranchised yet shows no malice whatsoever to those who oppress and 
snuff out the lives of the littlest humans. Those in the abortion 
industry must be encouraged to rethink and reject the horror they do. 
They too are in need of God's amazing love, forgiveness and 
reconciliation.
   Join me today, Mr. Speaker, in giving thanks for the extraordinary 
commitment, faith and works of this tenacious priest.

                          ____________________