Say what? Chicago’s Joe Scheidler taking a pass on a pro-life protest?

Earlier this week, Joseph Scheidler, director of the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, said his group strongly supports Pavone but would not participate in the Amarillo protests.

We try to discourage that, Scheidler said. The bishops are kind of a fraternity. You attack one bishop, you are attacking the whole episcopal gathering.

It’s huge, as we say these days — not Scheidler’s demurrer but the protest, which is about Fr. Pavone and his bishop.

Center for Bio-Ethical Reform Executive Director Gregg Cunningham and Operation Rescue President Troy Newman said Thursday they are mobilizing activists and billboard trucks from cities nationwide to converge next week in Amarillo for peaceful protests outside Diocese of Amarillo facilities and activities.

Cunningham and Newman said the groups will use graphic images of aborted fetuses in informational pickets designed to spur people to urge Amarillo Bishop Patrick J. Zurek to allow the Rev. Frank Pavone to return to his international pro-life ministry.

We’re talking trucks, planes, graphic images, etc. Enough to make you sympathetic with a bishop.

It’s too much to ask what will be done with the extra 90 minutes in the Chi Public Schools day? Or what’s the argument for it other than, as Rahm told the union president, to keep the kids off the street for that much longer? 90 minutes doing what? That is the question.