Priest expelled by Vatican says he is victim of persecution

Father Frank Pavone, the well-known priest, pro-life activist and national director of the organization Priests for Life, was dismissed by the Vatican for "persistent disobedience" and "blasphemous communications on social media."

Father Pavone received a letter from Pope Francis' U.S. representative alerting him of his expulsion, stating that he "was found guilty in canonical proceedings of blasphemous communications on social media, and of persistent disobedience of the lawful instructions of his diocesan bishop."

Father Pavone was investigated in the past for posting videos in which he placed an aborted fetus on an altar. The video was meant to convey the message that the Democratic Party was going to allow abortions to continue, while Donald Trump sought protection for the unborn.

While the issue of abortion was never named in the letter, Father Pavone mentioned that the Vatican doesn't "like the work I'm doing for these babies."

"I’ve been persecuted in the church for decades, decades. This is nothing new for me," he said.

No opportunity to appeal

Father Pavone was able to appeal for restrictions placed on his ministry in 2011. However, he will not have the opportunity this time around.

According to the letter, Pavone was given several opportunities to defend himself and "submit himself to the authority of his diocesan bishop."

"It was determined that Father Pavone had no reasonable justification for his actions," the text states.

Father Pavone's supporters speak out

The priest's supporters came to his defense, even calling Joe Biden's promotion of abortion "evil."

According to the Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, the true "blasphemy" is the decision to cancel Father Pavone. "Vatican officials promote immorality and denial of the deposit of faith and priests promote gender confusion devastating lives," he said on Twitter.