Pro-life Hero, Protestant Minister to Catholic Priest: Fr. Paul Schenck, Prophetic Sign of Coming Full Communion

By Deacon Keith Fournier
6/16/2010
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

I had the privilege of being part of Church history on Saturday, June 12, 2010. My friend of many years, former Protestant minister and Pro-Life hero, Paul Schenck, was ordained as a Priest of the Catholic Church. My history with Fr. Paul Schenck goes back decades.I believe that Fr. Paul Chaim Schenck is a prophetic sign of the coming full communion of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. With a dispensation from Rome waiving the celibacy requirement, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood of the Catholic Church on the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Photo of Fr. Paul Schenck being ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Victor Galeone. Photos furnished by Michael and Yolanda Moul of Total Magic Video productions in York Pennsylvania. Michael is also the President of the Holy Name Society.

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HARRISBURG, PA (Catholic Online) - I had the privilege of being part of Church history on Saturday, June 12, 2010. My friend of many years, former Protestant minister and Pro-Life hero, Paul Schenck, was ordained as a Priest of the Catholic Church. My history with Fr. Paul Schenck goes back decades. I first met his twin brother, Rob, through now deceased Lutheran Pastor and ecumenical giant Harald Bredesen. Always "moving in the Spirit", Harald told me back then he "knew from the Lord" I had to meet the Schenck brothers. He was right.

At the time Rob Schenck was leading a ministry calling attention to the plight of the Poor in Mexico. I joined his Board of Advisors. It was the beginning of a treasured friendship which has spanned decades. He introduced me to his brother Paul. Both of these men shared with me a dedication to bringing an end to the killing of our youngest neighbors in the womb by abortion. They were raised in a Jewish home, came to faith in the Lord Jesus as teenagers and became Protestant Pastors.

The two brothers were already Pro-Life Champions in the Buffalo, New York area. I had gone to Law School to help overturn the infamous decision which opened the door to the Culture of death, Roe v Wade. So, when I was asked by the brothers to come to Buffalo to speak on behalf of Paul who had been wrongfully arrested for peacefully distributing Pro-Life literature, I said "Yes". It was the beginning of an association which has changed my life.

At the time I was a Dean at the Franciscan University of Steubenville which was still in its early stages of spiritual recovery and renewal. I was also practicing law, trying to do what I could to advance the fundamental human rights cause of our age, the Pro-Life movement. I stayed in touch with Paul and Rob throughout those years.

In 1991, I accepted an invitation from Pat Robertson to move to Virginia Beach and build the American Center for Law and Justice. (ACLJ) Pat knew I was a fully committed Catholic Christian. He read my first book "Evangelical Catholics". I moved to Virginia Beach and served as the first Executive Director of the ACLJ. Jay Sekulow, its Chief Counsel, soon joined me in the effort. A gifted Constitutional Advocate, he has led the Public Interest legal group since I left in 1997.

In the subtitle of my first book "Evangelical Catholics" (out of print), I called for "Christian Co-operation to penetrate the Darkness with the Light of the Gospel." Those were days of what I call "trench ecumenism". An example was the Pro-Life movement. We all heard the cry of those whom Mother Teresa called the "poorest of the poor", children in the womb. We worked together on their behalf. In the trenches of that just battle we rediscovered one another as brethren in the One Lord Jesus Christ.

This kind of cooperation in the cultural mission is widely accepted now. Back then, it was highly controversial in both Catholic and Protestant circles. A man I have long admired, Chuck Colson, wrote the forward to "Evangelical Catholics". He was pilloried for doing so in some evangelical circles for years afterward. My relationship with Paul and Rob Schenck grew in those Pro-Life trenches as did their vibrant ministry. We were doing Catholic/Evangelical cooperation long before it was "cool".

The first case I took as the head of the ACLJ came through Rob and Paul Scheck. Paul was wrongfully arrested for distributing Pro-Life literature in front of an abortion facility. The early ACLJ was just getting what my deceased father would have called its "sea legs." We represented Paul and turned it into a Constitutional case. We lost at the Federal District Court level.

However, that would not be the end of the case. Years later I had the privilege of serving as a co-counsel when Jay Sekulow successfully argued the same case at the US Supreme Court. It was styled "Schenck v. Pro-Choice Escorts". Paul's courageous efforts for children and Jay's insistence that Pro-Life speech is protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution, won the day. Paul was completely vindicated.

During those 'ACLJ years' my friendship with Paul and his journey toward the full communion of the Catholic Church passed through a series of events. Appalled that this human rights hero would be adjudged a "criminal" for doing what should have been protected by the First Amendment and praised as heroic - I resolved to do everything I could to support him in his important work.

That included hiring him as the Vice President of the American Center for Law and Justice. At the time, he was under house arrest, wearing an ankle monitor. Paul, his wonderful wife Becky and all of their beautiful children moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia. He became a key leader in the early days of the ACLJ. He did during those years what he has always done in life; give himself without ...

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1 - 10 of 36 Comments

Dawn Stalker
4 months ago
I believe that Johny Hunter, Paul & Rob Shenk will lead a new pro-life
movement. As well as many others. We will glow in the dark.
My husband Steve worked in spring of life in 1992.
We will overcome this darkness with a new flow, a new and better way
All the dots and his body will connect with out any human effort.
We will turn back the tide of in justice, and see his glory cloud go before us. Everyone that cared then will be recognized now.
In his love, Dawn
AYDU
2 years ago
A sign of things to come in Christianity.
Thank God for the grace which he has given.
D Donovan
2 years ago
In response to Fr Kevin Lee written on July 14th.
Dear Fr. Lee, Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed! You must know that your sacrifice to forego everything for the sake of Christ and His Church does not go unnoticed! As in the story of the prodigal son the return of the disobedient son and the celebration that followed caused pain to the older brother. But the father said "My son you have always been with me. Everything I have is yours." Fr Lee everything in the storehouse of grace is yours and it has been from the beginning.
Deacon Fournier is experiencing the emotional elation of a soul dear to him coming into the fullness of truth. This will not carry Fr Paul when the emotional high is over and he begins to bear the weight of his sacrifice. His family life will be strained without question. In fact I was thinking that this will be an equally difficult sacrifice for his wife as it will be for him. He will not be as free as you are to serve and it will cause him much difficulty. There is no doubt.
A spouse thinks of the other spouse first before even the smallest decisions are made. Ask any married couple and you will find this is true. Who will Fr Paul think of first? I praise God that he has called Fr Paul even at this late hour but he will have much to suffer.
The church is your spouse and you will be glad when you look back and say yes I thought of her first. You will be glad when you see the power and weight and grace that the sacrifice of your celibacy has been.
Take heart! We know the sacrifice you have made for Jesus, His Church and for us.
We thank God for you and will keep you close in prayer.
Thank you Fr. Lee for your faithful service to Christ and His Church!
Peace.
Flory
2 years ago
May the Lord be Praised always. "We believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church". Do we need any more proof that The Lord is working in his vineyard slowly & steadily to fullfil His own prophesy that "All may be One". In time to come all Christians brethren will be One & this I pray always. Division in the name of Jesus Christ and just not done. Let us pray for the Unity of All Christians. Thanks & Praise be to God.
Deacon Bud Simmonds
2 years ago
May the "JOY" of the living Lord Jesus be in you and with you, Fr. Paul, today and for all time. What a blessing it is to read about someone's journey in faith. It was exhilarating, spiritually, in small part, to share Fr. Paul's journey as his "call" got stronger and more defined. May God's Blessings continue for you and your family!!!
Fr. Agustin
2 years ago
There is nothing impossible for Catholicism in US.......................... Anyway, welcome home Fr Paul Schenk!
Thokozani Msane
2 years ago
May God save and protect you fr Paul Schenck, am very pleased to read these great news.
Lori Harris
2 years ago
Absolutely beautiful article, Deacon Keith! What a blessing. Today I am in Phoenix attending the ordination of my precious brother in Christ, Fr. Eduardo Nevares, being installed as Bishop Elect of the Diocese of Phoenix. There is great hope for the Church when godliness is in place!
Praise the Lord. He is ever faithful!
tony dorado
2 years ago
God bless fr. paul schenck and his work for life
john smith
2 years ago
I am sorry, folks. "Scneck" stopped being a Protestant the moment he became a Catholic Priest. Considering the trouble Rome is having with Priests these days it was a "step down." in human terms.
Too many real saints have died at the stake and in torture chambers and on the battlefields to meekly go back to an church who were the responsible for the torture chambers and batlefields and burning stakes.
I follow the risen savior. I rely upon him, but not on my works. In Christ Alone I will make my claim.
Thank you.

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