Vatican dismisses Trump-supporting, anti-abortion leader from priesthood

FILE PHOTO: Father Frank Anthony Pavone, the dedicated National Director of Priests for Life from New York, gives a Homily during a funeral Mass in Gulfport, Florida April 5, 2005. . REUTERS/Jim Stem JMS

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Father Frank Pavone, a leader of the U.S. anti-abortion movement and a strong supporter of former president Donald Trump, has been dismissed from the Catholic priesthood for "blasphemous" social media posts and disobedience to bishops.

The Vatican defrocked Pavone in November, according to a letter sent to U.S. bishops from its ambassador to Washington. The letter, seen by Reuters, says Pavone will not be allowed to appeal.