Fr. Corapi Responds to Some of His Order's Charges

[guanophore]

  The best thing he could do is to slip into obscurity and just be quiet.

Yes, I agree.

Yes, but what I am saying is that it’s always been “FR JOHN CORAPI preaches the Gospel” He is the headiner, not Jesus.

I don’t think this is the case. I really liked his catechism series because the opposite was true. He called it the Teaching of Jesus, and throughout, reiterated that he was not teaching anything “new”. It was very solid church teaching. I have not listened to more recent stuff, but I will defer to others who testify that his center has changed. Certainly his recent behavior would indicate that is true.

a little humility would go a long way.

Amen.

 

[guanophore]

I am also seeing a man who used to view his priesthood as an amazing gift, who now chooses not to be called "Father" but rather just John Corapi or "The Black SheepDog".  I see a man who used to wear his Roman collar with honor now donning a leather motorcycle jacket and jeans.

This is not entirely his choice. Since he was put on Admin leave on Ash Wed, he is not allowed to refer to himself as “Father” or put himself out to the public in such a manner. He is not to act before others as “Father”, which includes wearing his clerics, and being videotaped or photographed in them.

It is a stretch that his fathercorapi website has not been closed already.

I see a man who told us that obedience is the path to Heaven now telling us that disobedience in his case is justifiable.  I see a man who tells us "You follow the Church" while it is unclear to me who he is now following, but clearly it is not his religious superiors at SOLT.

Yes. Telling one thing, and doing the opposite. Not a good sign. I also see a very hurting man that I think is suffering a personal problem. I reject the idea of schizophrenia, but it seems clear that he is not living according to what he has preached as the Truth all these years.

Yes, he is a very sad and pathetic looking figure.  But perhaps, just perhaps, he is choosing by his own actions to make his sadness even deeper than it would otherwise be.  I truly believe that if her returned to SOLT house today, they would welcome him home and do everything possible to help him.  Sadly, he is choosing not to do that.  And that, perhaps, is the saddest thing of all.

Yes, I think he is going to suffer either way, but as the youtube video on suffering states (out of his own mouth), one must bear one’s cross and be obedient, joining them with Jesus’ on the cross. I think, in fact, God is exactly calling him to crall under the rock and die, and he is resisting with every ounce of willfulness.

I was thinking this morning of St. Stephen and St. Paul when they were stoned, and lay there under the rocks dying. May they pray for Fr. Corapi, that he may be able to join them in laying down his life.

Acts 14:19-20

19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Ico’nium; and having persuaded the people, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city; and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

May Fr. Corapi return to SOLT, so that the disciples can gather around him, and raise him up.

 

[jwinch2]

May Fr. Corapi return to SOLT, so that the disciples can gather around him, and raise him up.

Amen!

 

[cargau]

I am also seeing a man who used to view his priesthood as an amazing gift, who now chooses not to be called “Father” but rather just John Corapi or “The Black SheepDog”. I see a man who used to wear his Roman collar with honor now donning a leather motorcycle jacket and jeans. I see a man who told us that obedience is the path to Heaven now telling us that disobedience in his case is justifiable. I see a man who tells us “You follow the Church” while it is unclear to me who he is now following, but clearly it is not his religious superiors at SOLT.

Yes, he is a very sad and pathetic looking figure. But perhaps, just perhaps, he is choosing by his own actions to make his sadness even deeper than it would otherwise be. I truly believe that if her returned to SOLT house today, they would welcome him home and do everything possible to help him. Sadly, he is choosing not to do that. And that, perhaps, is the saddest thing of all.

Seriously! I don’t think he can ever go back. I can’t believe SOLT would ever want this situation to fester or morph into something more. He paid this woman to keep her mouth shut. That is why he is suing her. By doing that he is, in effect putting a muzzle around the others he paid off.

He was a priest commissioned to preach in an effort to save souls and he betrayed his calling and the people he was supposed to serve. Look, we can forgive, but I can’t stand there and feel sorry for him.

Good riddance…I will, however pray for him. I believe as a human being he has a long road. But, I will not participate in his new website.

 

[guanophore]

Good riddance…

I can understand feeling angry, as I do myself. However, I don’t think this position is any better than the wrong road he has taken. I have read several posts if this kind, and I do not think this is the attitude that Jesus has taught.

Gal 6:1-5
6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if any one thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each man will have to bear his own load.

The man clearly has been overtaken in trespass, and needs to be restored.

 

[valient_Lucy]

The man clearly has been overtaken in trespass, and needs to be restored.

Amen. God loves us just the way we are, but he loves us too much to let us stay that way.

I think most people feel the same way about Fr. Corapi. Not all, but most.

 

[jwinch2]

Seriously! I don’t think he can ever go back. I can’t believe SOLT would ever want this situation to fester or morph into something more.

Its hard for me to understand as well as I don’t most of us who are not called to that kind of community life truly get what it is that they are called to do. If I had to speculate, I would suggest that the fact that he does not want to come back to his community would be the most disappointing and hurtful part of this whole situation for SOLT. Being the kind of men that are called to that life, I would strongly suspect that the vast majority are praying fervently for his return so that they can aid in his healing.

Whether or not Ft. Corapi returning to SOLT is the best thing that can happen for them or not, I think is up for grabs. My suspicion is that for most of them, they are more concerned about what is best for his soul, rather than what makes things easier for their community.

 

[didymus]

I don’t think this is a fair judgment, because when Corapi joined, they had no property or community living. All the members of the society lived in private residences and supported their own ministries (at least, those in the Corpus Cristi chapter. We don’t know if Flannigan urged him to move in when they did get a “motherhouse”. We know the community has been doing that for years, and Corapi was non-compliant. Perhaps they erred in being too generous and permissive with him because his ministry was so powerful and successful?

I wasn’t trying to criticise SOLT. As I said it was just an observation. Also, I was unaware they had no motherhouse (abbey?) at the time of their founding.

I am sure they are wishing now that they had, and that is one reason they are now strongly directing him to come home. One blog I read said they have evidence for a long time before this that could have warranted a suspension. Perhaps if they had done that, the whole thing may not have come to this point?

I’ve read the current superior, Fr Sheehan has been urging Fr Corapi to return to community for a long time. As you say, perhaps he should have directed/ordered him. Maybe they were trying a soft approach rather than alienate him.
It just makes me realise what an awesome responsibility rests upon priests who care for the faithful, and the bishops & superiors care for them.

So praying for Fr C, all our priests & bishops.

 

[coco2]

I think he was sincere. Look SOLT said he is guilty, that may be the truth or not the truth,God knows. From his teachings I have not one time,not once seen anything taught that was contrary to the Catholic faith. He has always been honest about his past. Imagine people who hear him preach struggling with addiction, think about how many times his past was thrown in his face…Did he fall, I do not know. I have seen Catholics curse him on facebookhttp://bestsmileys.com/sad/2.gif. Some of the comments about the image being dark the beard being dark, looks as though it is more of a reflection of how he feels rather than something sinister.

Honest about his past? No no. He was not honest about his military experience, ( green berets) When I found this out quite some time ago, I have been wary.

 

[Elizabeth502]

Honest about his past? No no. He was not honest about his military experience, ( green berets) When I found this out quite some time ago, I have been wary.

This is probably the fifth time now I have posted this, and I will continue to do so every time someone brings this up. It’s become Urban Legend that FC said he “was a Green Beret.” Not in any of the tapes I have listened to multiple times, has he. He said, “I was not a Green Beret.” He described some limited-time high-intensity military workouts that “had some things in common with Green Berets; now, it wasn’t the GB’s, but it was like them in some ways.”

Given the context of this training, it appeared to be a special-mission training that might not even have come to fruition. The military trains units for particular missions that may or may not be executed later. Sometimes the selection for that training is made, the training itself begins, but the mission is cancelled for one reason or another. Some of you clearly have limited understanding of how the military works. Since I grew up in the military, I understand some of the gray areas, perhaps, a little better. There are several kinds of special units that don’t make the headlines and that no one ever hears about. It is also possible that he began the training for something like the GB’s, but did not make the ultimate selection cut for it (whatever the special unit was), depending on his performance during that training.

Separately, FC was also honest about having been rejected for some role or assignment in the military, based on not passing the physical requirements, which was a significant disappointment to him.

All of this,^ including this last part, were facts related in order to support the metaphor of doing spiritual and counter-cultural battle within a God-defiant society and within our proclivities to relax our guard in the face of modern culture with its overwhelming enticements and permissions. They were not offered by him to focus on any ability or accomplishment in himself. In fact, he repeatedly admitted that he was just as disinclined as his military buddies to go the distance, finding it just as hard as everyone else found it, and just as hard as we all, including him, find spiritual warfare.

 

[Charbeau]

I keep checking back here every day hoping for some kind of miraculous update about this situation. I know he said in the video to not be sad about this but I’m not sure how those of us who relied so heavily on his teaching during our own personal conversions to not find this entire series of events deeply disheartening. I hope he finds his way back, I think he must be a very good man with some flaws (just like the rest of us). God has used him so wonderfully to help so many faithful Catholics continue on their way and he has preached solid truth for so many years that hopefully that is all deeply written on his heart and will help him see the error of his ways.

God bless John Corapi and many prayers will continue to be said for him. Praying the St. Michael the Archangel Chaplet with him as the intention seems very appropriate.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

I keep checking back here every day hoping for some kind of miraculous update about this situation. I know he said in the video to not be sad about this but I’m not sure how those of us who relied so heavily on his teaching during our own personal conversions to not find this entire series of events deeply disheartening. I hope he finds his way back, I think he must be a very good man with some flaws (just like the rest of us). God has used him so wonderfully to help so many faithful Catholics continue on their way and he has preached solid truth for so many years that hopefully that is all deeply written on his heart and will help him see the error of his ways.

God bless John Corapi and many prayers will continue to be said for him. Praying the St. Michael the Archangel Chaplet with him as the intention seems very appropriate.

I will pose this question. Who is sad for SOLT?? anyone? Who is sad for the Church?? This will be old news soon and life will go on. I pray that he goes back to SOLT and I pray the they take him back. After his seperation from Montana it will be like tearing a cloth but after a while I am sure he would find happiness if he would just give in. I am sad for SOLT and the Church.

 

[jwinch2]

This is probably the fifth time now I have posted this, and I will continue to do so every time someone brings this up. It’s become Urban Legend that FC said he “was a Green Beret.” Not in any of the tapes I have listened to multiple times, has he. He said, “I was not a Green Beret.” He described some limited-time high-intensity military workouts that “had some things in common with Green Berets; now, it wasn’t the GB’s, but it was like them in some ways.”

I was under the impression that he had claimed that he was training for Special Forces but was injured and could not complete the training. This article has some pretty compelling information. markshea.blogspot.com/2011/06/gaping-hole-in-fr-corapis-story.html

And this web capture from the SOLT website states quite clearly that Father Corapi was a green beret prior to joining the society: web.archive.org/web/20031004224454/http://www.solt3.org/americanmissions.htm

Where are you suggesting that they received that information?

Given the context of this training, it appeared to be a special-mission training that might not even have come to fruition. The military trains units for particular missions that may or may not be executed later. Sometimes the selection for that training is made, the training itself begins, but the mission is cancelled for one reason or another.

Not for people who enlist as typists it doesn’t. When you enlist in the Army you choose an MOS (Military Occupation Specialty). Those persons wishing to go to Special Forces would be assigned a MOS Moniker of “18”. Before even beginning the course which would represent “selection” for Special Forces, known as SFAS (Special Forces Aptitude and Selection) followed by the QC (Qualification Course), Father would have had to go through Basic Training, Infantry School, and Airborne School. One does not simply enlist as a typist and then volunteer for Special Forces training.

Furthermore, one is not even eligible to try out for Special Forces until one is an E-4 (corporal or specialist) or a commisioned officer. All persons actually in Special Forces units as a Team Member are E-5 (sergeant) or above. There are of course support staff who do not fall into this category.

It is also possible that he began the training for something like the GB’s, but did not make the ultimate selection cut for it (whatever the special unit was), depending on his performance during that training.

My recollection of his claims was that he specifically stated the Green Berets which would indicate the United States Army Special Forces. The links I posted above suggest that this is the case.

Regardless, you are correct in that there are other units in the Army which are similar in that they are stationed under the JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command). However, you are not correct in that there are similar units in regard to their mission or their training. Both of those are unique. There is also a question that any logical person would ask here and that is: why in the world would he be wearing a Special Forces pin and quoting their motto if in fact he was part of another unit?

All of this,^ including this last part, were facts related in order to support the metaphor of doing spiritual and counter-cultural battle within a God-defiant society and within our proclivities to relax our guard in the face of modern culture with its overwhelming enticements and permissions. They were not offered by him to focus on any ability or accomplishment in himself. In fact, he repeatedly admitted that he was just as disinclined as his military buddies to go the distance, finding it just as hard as everyone else found it, and just as hard as we all, including him, find spiritual warfare.

The question is whether or not they are actually facts. I have no problem with the military approach to spirituality but to state that he did not offer those statements to make things about him is completely off. He could have just as easily made the same approach and left any statements regarding his military background out of it if he preferred it not to be about him. He was making those statements to establish his bona-fides and probably because, like all of us including myself, he struggles with issues of pride.

All of this would be very easy to silence should Father. C wish to. Every last thing that someone does in the Army gets placed in a file known as the DD214 file. This is a record of every set of orders you ever received, every school you attended and training you received, every place you were stationed, every award or reprimand you ever received, promotions, rank at entry, rank at ETS, etc. There is nothing that Father Corapi could have been a part of, even for a very short time, that would not have been part of his DD214 records.

 

[Ahimsa]

I will pose this question. Who is sad for SOLT?? anyone? Who is sad for the Church?

What is there to be sad about?

 

[jwinch2]

I will pose this question. Who is sad for SOLT?? anyone? Who is sad for the Church?? This will be old news soon and life will go on. I pray that he goes back to SOLT and I pray the they take him back. After his seperation from Montana it will be like tearing a cloth but after a while I am sure he would find happiness if he would just give in. I am sad for SOLT and the Church.

I agree. To be honest, I am probably more sad for SOLT and for the souls that have the potential of being led astray than I am for Father C. That is not to say that I am not sad for him, because I am; or that I do not pray for him, because I do. Just so that’s clear.

However, I look at his brothers in SOLT, most of whom were probably not even in the Society at the time that the deals were made regarding Father C. living in community or not, and think to myself: here these poor guys are, the name of their small Society getting drug through the mud all over the place, and all they ever wanted to do was serve Christ and His Church.

That, is the part that makes me the most sad in all of this.

 

[guanophore]

I agree. To be honest, I am probably more sad for SOLT and for the souls that have the potential of being led astray than I am for Father C. That is not to say that I am not sad for him, because I am; or that I do not pray for him, because I do. Just so that’s clear.

However, I look at his brothers in SOLT, most of whom were probably not even in the Society at the time that the deals were made regarding Father C. living in community or not, and think to myself: here these poor guys are, the name of their small Society getting drug through the mud all over the place, and all they ever wanted to do was serve Christ and His Church.

That, is the part that makes me the most sad in all of this.

I am sad for SOLT too, and for the Bishop of Corpus Cristi, who has to deal with all this.

But there was no “deal” made for Fr. Corapi to live in community, or not, since when that chapter of SOLT was formed, there was no communal living. It was a society of both religious and lay persons committed to ministry. As the society matured and grew, they were able to purchase a residence, at which time I understand Fr. Corapi was asked to come and live with them. Apparently he has been avoiding this invitation ever since, and now that it has become an order, has decided to leave.

 

[jwinch2]

I am sad for SOLT too, and for the Bishop of Corpus Cristi, who has to deal with all this.

But there was no “deal” made for Fr. Corapi to live in community, or not, since when that chapter of SOLT was formed, there was no communal living. It was a society of both religious and lay persons committed to ministry. As the society matured and grew, they were able to purchase a residence, at which time I understand Fr. Corapi was asked to come and live with them. Apparently he has been avoiding this invitation ever since, and now that it has become an order, has decided to leave.

My understanding was that after their constitution was altered, Father C. was still given dispensation to live away from the community by the founder for a time. Following that, it was my impression that they had been trying to get him to come back to the fold, as it were.

I could be entirely wrong on that and if so, I will stand corrected.

Either way, my point is till the same that I am very sad for the good people of the SOLT who are dealing with this junk, especially right now at what is probably one of the more joyous times of the year for them normally, that being their annual General Assembly.

 

[sojo]

I was under the impression that he had claimed that he was training for Special Forces but was injured and could not complete the training. This article has some pretty compelling information. markshea.blogspot.com/2011/06/gaping-hole-in-fr-corapis-story.html

And this web capture from the SOLT website states quite clearly that Father Corapi was a green beret prior to joining the society: web.archive.org/web/20031004224454/http://www.solt3.org/americanmissions.htm

Where are you suggesting that they received that information?

Not for people who enlist as typists it doesn’t. When you enlist in the Army you choose an MOS (Military Occupation Specialty). Those persons wishing to go to Special Forces would be assigned a MOS Moniker of “18”. Before even beginning the course which would represent “selection” for Special Forces, known as SFAS (Special Forces Aptitude and Selection) followed by the QC (Qualification Course), Father would have had to go through Basic Training, Infantry School, and Airborne School. One does not simply enlist as a typist and then volunteer for Special Forces training.

Furthermore, one is not even eligible to try out for Special Forces until one is an E-4 (corporal or specialist) or a commisioned officer. All persons actually in Special Forces units as a Team Member are E-5 (sergeant) or above. There are of course support staff who do not fall into this category.

My recollection of his claims was that he specifically stated the Green Berets which would indicate the United States Army Special Forces. The links I posted above suggest that this is the case.

Regardless, you are correct in that there are other units in the Army which are similar in that they are stationed under the JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command). However, you are not correct in that there are similar units in regard to their mission or their training. Both of those are unique. There is also a question that any logical person would ask here and that is: why in the world would he be wearing a Special Forces pin and quoting their motto if in fact he was part of another unit?

The question is whether or not they are actually facts. I have no problem with the military approach to spirituality but to state that he did not offer those statements to make things about him is completely off. He could have just as easily made the same approach and left any statements regarding his military background out of it if he preferred it not to be about him. He was making those statements to establish his bona-fides and probably because, like all of us including myself, he struggles with issues of pride.

All of this would be very easy to silence should Father. C wish to. Every last thing that someone does in the Army gets placed in a file known as the DD214 file. This is a record of every set of orders you ever received, every school you attended and training you received, every place you were stationed, every award or reprimand you ever received, promotions, rank at entry, rank at ETS, etc. There is nothing that Father Corapi could have been a part of, even for a very short time, that would not have been part of his DD214 records.

Very true - several very serious investigators who specialize in researching these things have proven to most’s satisfaction that Fr. Corapi did not have the military training he claimed. And lots of screen captures of proof that at one time Fr. did claim more than was true. He and his people attempted to go back and scrub the record clean.

There are also folks attempting to prove he was never a 3rd degree black belt, and possibly never the upscale real estate salesman he claimed. No real estate records with his name on it have been found, and some realtor in Hollywood who knows lots of movie stars claimed that he has never been able to find any “stars” who ever heard of him as a realtor.

His wealth is quite well documented, though. And the 7 days spent in jail in 1999 on a DUI in Sacramento. He used his alias Tony Coradi and real name John A. Corapi (though he didn’t mention he was a priest - that wasn’t on the official booking sheet that I saw, and I assume that would have been mentioned?)

 

[sojo]

What is there to be sad about?

I am very sad for SOLT, too. The Society was in the process of qualifying to “graduate” from a Religious Society of Diocesan Right to a Religious Pontifical Order (sorry if I messed up the exact titles). That is why they were in the process of tightening up their administrative procedures and rules of discipline, and that is why they had been attempting to rein in any priests that were in the order before the “new” charter.

Most people are saying this whole episode by Fr. has set back the Society’s chances by a good deal if not eliminated them completely. Their error in not taking a firmer stance (which seems they attempted but in light of Fr.'s reputation for and money to start law suits, they may not have wanted to push the point too much).

Any order or society would be scandalized when their most famous member became massively disobedient, broke his promises publicly and continued to rally support from his “fan base.” To lose their chances at a goal (becoming a full-fledged Order), towards which they were working hard for some time… that’s just the clincher.

I’m sad for SOLT and all the good, loyal and honest priests, nuns, and laity involved. I imagine donations will be down, which will also affect their ministries, which are many and good.

 

[CrunchyCathMom]

I am really surprised at the reaction of many people. Lack of charity…lack of humility…just lack of Christian love (not just on this forum but on blogs where I’ve seen comments like “have you taken your medication today?”–referring to another post. Yikes…is that Christian?) . I am sorry for anyone who feels like they followed Fr Corapi and now they are angry, but didn’t we believe in what he was saying? And wasn’t he preaching the Gospel?

We all fall…maybe not so hard and rarely so publicly. We need to take this to prayer instead of harsh words We need to pray for all involved. We need to take a step back and give this one to God.