EWTN's Father Corapi

[dulke]

***PauloFreire2, you are not alone my friend. Father Corapi has said that even he can’t stand the sound of his own voice and he can’t wait to finish a sermon and just be quiet. Must be quite a hardship on a man whose only desire is to be a contemplative priest, would you not agree.
His loss, Our gain. He has renewed my Faith and I thank the Blessed Mother Mary for him.
Father Corapi started his journey back to God thru the constant prayers and intercessions of his devout mother and aunt who prayed the Rosary for him daily. His is an inspiring story of one man’s salvation. Pray that we may join him on that road.

Holy Mary Mother of God I place all my trust in thee!

---

 

[o_o_82]

Just for my 2 cents. I have watched Fr. Corapi on EWTN.

I should say that in principle I agree 100% with this guy i.e. as far as the catholic faith is concerned I believe/agree with what he says. (In fact I actually learnt a good deal from him.)

However there are two things I disagree or hate about him.

Firstly he is always making a show of himself. I resent this because this negates his true message. I feel that the message of the Catholic Church is in itself true – and does not require such a show that he put on.
I also think that he does this as part of personal pride.

I disagree with some of his comments that he makes about other matters – not concerning the doctrinal teachings of the church. But I guess this is a personal matter.

As the original post has mentioned this guy also gets under my skin – and I watch him only if there is nothing else to see. I really think that Father Corapi’s sense of pride is what makes him repulsive – at least to me.

 

[fix]

Just for my 2 cents. I have watched Fr. Corapi on EWTN.

I should say that in principle I agree 100% with this guy i.e. as far as the catholic faith is concerned I believe/agree with what he says. (In fact I actually learnt a good deal from him.)

However there are two things I disagree or hate about him.

Firstly he is always making a show of himself. I resent this because this negates his true message. I feel that the message of the Catholic Church is in itself true – and does not require such a show that he put on.
I also think that he does this as part of personal pride.

I disagree with some of his comments that he makes about other matters – not concerning the doctrinal teachings of the church. But I guess this is a personal matter.

As the original post has mentioned this guy also gets under my skin – and I watch him only if there is nothing else to see. I really think that Father Corapi’s sense of pride is what makes him repulsive – at least to me.

What is prideful in his presentation? I can’t see that point at all? Have you ever seen the old tapes of Bishop Sheen’s TV show? He was theatrical. Would you consider that prideful, too? I mean these folks who do public speaking have a personality as we all do, but having a personality does not equal sinful pride.

 

[o_o_82]

What is prideful in his presentation? I can’t see that point at all? Have you ever seen the old tapes of Bishop Sheen’s TV show? He was theatrical. Would you consider that prideful, too? I mean these folks who do public speaking have a personality as we all do, but having a personality does not equal sinful pride.

Yes I see (in fact love) Bishop Sheen’s. (I watch it through EWTN.)

What is prideful in his presentation?

Your question is tough to answer – because this is really a feeling. If we had a tape in front of the two of us – I would certainly be able to point out what I did not like, and where his pride is evident. 


For the sake of a more concrete comparison between Bishop Sheen and Fr. Corapi, I would like to point out that even though Bishop Sheen had his presentation theatrics – he gave more importance to the message that he was delivering i.e. the understanding of the audience was more important than them being amused. Fr. Corapi does not do this. For e.g. many times you find him quoting some Latin – when he is sure that most of his listeners would not be able to understand it. He does this as part of his self pride.

 

[fix]

Yes I see (in fact love) Bishop Sheen’s. (I watch it through EWTN.)

Your question is tough to answer – because this is really a feeling. If we had a tape in front of the two of us – I would certainly be able to point out what I did not like, and where his pride is evident.

For the sake of a more concrete comparison between Bishop Sheen and Fr. Corapi, I would like to point out that even though Bishop Sheen had his presentation theatrics – he gave more importance to the message that he was delivering i.e. the understanding of the audience was more important than them being amused. Fr. Corapi does not do this. For e.g. many times you find him quoting some Latin – when he is sure that most of his listeners would not be able to understand it. He does this as part of his self pride.

Why is that seen as pride? He is making a point. It is a type of emphasis. I appreciate such things. I do not see it as pride.

 

[Carrie_Andrews]

Many use Latin quotes, myself included. I don’t think it’s prideful, I think it’s knowledgeable. Why dumby down, instead expect the most from people, he tells you what it means, then you can use it in future.
I think you are misunderstanding him, which happens to all great reformers, which is what he has been called by God to do.

 

[o_o_82]

Why is that seen as pride? He is making a point. It is a type of emphasis.

Because of the way he uses it. As I mentioned in my post – he does this as a show – not for emphasis. When he preaches he pays more attention to glorifying himself than the message that he provides.

 

[o_o_82]

Many use Latin quotes

I am not against Latin quotes.

he tells you what it means, then you can use it in future.
I think you are misunderstanding him, which happens to all great reformers, which is what he has been called by God to do.

Yes he does not tell you what it means – because he knows that if you would not know it, you would at least know what a great person he is.

Latin quotes is not my basic problem with him. (I pointed this out – because I needed to have something concrete.) My basic problem with him as I pointed out in my first post in this thread is his pride. He is sometimes more engrossed in glorifying himself than conveying the truth that he has. 

Personally I think I would find it easier to read his articles rather than listen to him. I have learnt a lot from him – but I really cannot stand his pride. I feel that he does this as part of his personal weakness i.e. he still thinks he is in the business world

 

[tkdnick]

Latin quotes is not my basic problem with him. (I pointed this out – because I needed to have something concrete.) My basic problem with him as I pointed out in my first post in this thread is his pride. He is sometimes more engrossed in glorifying himself than conveying the truth that he has.

Personally I think I would find it easier to read his articles rather than listen to him. I have learnt a lot from him – but I really cannot stand his pride. I feel that he does this as part of his personal weakness i.e. he still thinks he is in the business world

I guess I would just say no one’s perfect. Maybe he is doing it out of pride, maybe he isn’t. If it is out of pride, maybe that’s something that he struggles with. It’s not like just because someone becomes a priest they stop struggling. I know lots of people who struggle with pride, both lay persons and religious. It doesn’t stop me from respecting them and listening to what they have to say (unless it’s really bad).

 

[o_o_82]

I guess I would just say no one’s perfect. Maybe he is doing it out of pride, maybe he isn’t. If it is out of pride, maybe that’s something that he struggles with. It’s not like just because someone becomes a priest they stop struggling. I know lots of people who struggle with pride, both lay persons and religious. It doesn’t stop me from respecting them and listening to what they have to say (unless it’s really bad).

I am not expecting him to be perfect. Also I accept (or in fact I think that it is justifiable) that he be harsh at times. I do manage to listen to him – and I can acknowledge I have learnt something’s from him that I had not known before. Finally I respect him.

However with all of this -  I still feel him repulsive. I feel that his pride comes too much into the way of his message – at least that’s how it comes across to me.

 

[auppie]

I am not against Latin quotes.

Yes he does not tell you what it means – because he knows that if you would not know it, you would at least know what a great person he is.

Latin quotes is not my basic problem with him. (I pointed this out – because I needed to have something concrete.) My basic problem with him as I pointed out in my first post in this thread is his pride. He is sometimes more engrossed in glorifying himself than conveying the truth that he has. 

Personally I think I would find it easier to read his articles rather than listen to him. I have learnt a lot from him – but I really cannot stand his pride. I feel that he does this as part of his personal weakness i.e. he still thinks he is in the business world

This is not intended to be disrespectful to you; just something to ponder:

Perhaps since you feel Fr. Corapi has pride, then you should pray about it and why you feel this way…is there something nagging you at the back of your mind? Do you perhaps see a part of yourself when you feel Fr. Corapi is being prideful? Or is it just you point out other’s weaknesses, rather than contemplating your own? (read Matthew 7 1-5)

 

[o_o_82]

This is not intended to be disrespectful to you; just something to ponder:

Perhaps since you feel Fr. Corapi has pride, then you should pray about it and why you feel this way…is there something nagging you at the back of your mind? Do you perhaps see a part of yourself when you feel Fr. Corapi is being prideful? Or is it just you point out other’s weaknesses, rather than contemplating your own? (read Matthew 7 1-5)

Actually I thought over this. If it is true that it is my own pride is causing me to find Fr. Corapi repulsive – then why is it that I find others like Bishop Sheen humble.
As pointed out by “fix” I understand that public speakers are theatrical – and I don’t think I have a problem with that.

 

[the_phoenix]

I am not expecting him to be perfect. Also I accept (or in fact I think that it is justifiable) that he be harsh at times. I do manage to listen to him – and I can acknowledge I have learnt something’s from him that I had not known before. Finally I respect him.

However with all of this -  I still feel him repulsive. I feel that his pride comes too much into the way of his message – at least that’s how it comes across to me.

Hello o_o_82,

Your post makes me think of two things. The first is harshness, on which point I can relate to and agree with you, if you will permit a bit of a tangent. There was a certain nun who taught the fourth grade who talked about hell so much that I like to say she scared the hell out of me. Out of all the teachers I’ve ever had, it was this strict, stern nun to whom I took time out to write and mail a personal thank-you letter. Thanks for reminding me of this.

As for Father Corapi and pride … I can see how he can come across that way to some people, because he’s incisive and direct. As for me, I saw him speak while he had the flu … He wasn’t afraid to show his weakness. While he did his best to control his symptoms for the sake of his audience, he did at one point cough and need a glass of water. He didn’t make a big deal about it at all and did his best not to draw attention to himself, but rather tried to be matter-of-factly cheerful and continue on, keeping the focus on God and not on himself.

Father Corapi stayed at the parish for a weekend. I forget now whether or not he had to cancel one of his talks to take vital time out to recover, but I’m sure the decision was made based on a wise discernment which took into account both the many hundreds of people who were coming out to see him, as well as his physical capability healthwise. In any case, for what it’s worth, he didn’t strike me at all like a prideful type who would want “the show to go on” at any price just to hear himself speak or impress anyone.

He was there rather to impart encouragement to us in our spiritual lives.

~~ the phoenix

 

[o_o_82]

The first is harshness, on which point I can relate to and agree with you, if you will permit a bit of a tangent.

I don’t know where you got the word “harshness” in any of my posts. (I may be wrong – but I reread the 6 of them so far.)
This “harshness” was there in the original post – but not in mine. As far as I am concerned I am not sure what exactly that means i.e. Father Corapi is firm at times – but does this mean he is harsh. I would prefer him to many of the Bishops we have – who would not face the situation.

As for Father Corapi and pride … I can see how he can come across that way to some people, because he’s incisive and direct. As for me, I saw him speak while he had the flu … He wasn’t afraid to show his weakness.

I did not understand this. If a person is sick and he admits it – do you consider it humility? (I am not saying that this is pride – but it is not an example of humility. I think it is normal behavior.)

Feelings are abstract – so I really feel it difficult to point of something concrete here. I know he has a good number of people who like him – but I don’t.

To digress a bit:
All of the Corapi I get is from EWTN. I remember watching their celebrations (sometime in August – but they were playing all of it of the past year). After watching all of their keynote speakers – I think my favorite speaker was Fr. Brian Mullady. (I am not saying that he is the best – but from the 10 or 15 keynote speakers that they had for their 5 or 6 celebrations.) Now I also watched the audience when he was speaking – and I found more than a few people sleeping. (In fact EWTN which usually does not do this – actually focused the camera on a group of sleeping people for a moment.)

P.S. I don’t know much about Fr. Brian Mullady. (I am sure he is from the religious life – but I am not sure if he is a priest though i.e. I may have my facts wrong. I think he spoke in the EWTN celebration in San Francisco if I am not mistaken.) I liked him, because he was well prepared, did not put on any show and was logical.

That’s just to say that I am not with the majority – but still I stand by what I am saying. 


Another thing to illustrate Father Corapi’s pride is how often he quotes his qualifications i.e. how many degrees he has etc. Almost in every other speech he gives he does not fail to mention this. Bishop Sheen on the other hand rarely did this. If I remember correctly in the first part of his Catechism series (I think it was a 24 or 34 part series) where he introduces himself – he does not even mention that he is a Bishop. (This is not “Life is Worth Living” – but is intended for a purely catholic audience.)

 

[BBoy]

I love fr. corapi

 

[tonyg]

I’ve been following this Thread for about a week and have read alot of negative comments about Father Corapi. In his defense
I think if more of us sinners were willing to humble ourselves by using our sinful past to help others this world might be a better place. Like Jesus said " let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone." Unfortunately there are alot of stone flying around in here.

 

[Carrie_Andrews]

Maybe part of the problem is that all you have seen of Father Corapi is on EWTN. I mean maybe you don’t have the full picture? Anyway, I still don’t see the pride, when you go to the Dr.s office there are all his diplomas and degrees on his wall, so that you know he’s qualified to help you, I always thought that was the reason Father Corapi tells you about his degrees and such, so that you know he’s not just making statements that aren’t backed up with actual knowledge. But maybe he’s just not for you, there are plenty of other great Catholic speakers you can listen to

 

[Carrie_Andrews]

I’ve been following this Thread for about a week and have read alot of negative comments about Father Corapi. In his defense
I think if more of us sinners were willing to humble ourselves by using our sinful past to help others this world might be a better place. Like Jesus said " let the one among you who is without sin cast the first stone." Unfortunately there are alot of stone flying around in here.

I think there are also alot of very complimentory comments here about Father too!!! I hope that comes across also.

 

[JudieK]

I love Fr. Corapi, too! I saw him in person at a conference (along with Scott Hahn!) and was even more “wowed” by him in the flesh. I think we NEED this no-nonsense approach to the faith. In the 70’s and 80’s the church abandoned meat and potatoes doctrinal teaching for the lovey-dovey feel good approach to catechesis and it had been a disaster. These are the Catholics who had left for evangelical churches, or who know absolutely NOTHING about the faith. 70% of Catholics don’t believe in the real presence!!! We need Fr. Corapi’s in every church!

 

[Al_Masetti]

When Father Corapi opens his mouth, I visualize the words of the Holy Spirit coming out!

He says he has no particular personal wisdom, but that he has received the charism of preaching.

And I believe him.