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

[TheRealJuliane]

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.

I’m going to donate, and write them a letter of support. I really feel for them. Lots of people are saying “They should have done this,” and “they should have done that,” but it’s easy for others to say things when they have no idea what really happened from the inside. No religious order expects a PROFESSED member to carry on this way! It’s a voluntary vow, after all, that Corapi took! They would have assumed that he meant it for life!

 

[jwinch2]

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…

I was completely unaware of that. Wow. Boy does that ever put things in a whole new light. Very sad if that is accurate.

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.

Same here and good point about their ministries and donations. I have been on their website a few times recently and from what it seems, they do some great work.

 

[mom4mary]

I think he was sincere. Look SOLT said he is guilty, that may be the truth or not the truth,God knows.

I just have to ask, while it is possible that it may not be the truth, why would SOLT lie about this? I know that conspiracy theories abound, from jealousy to just wanting to “silence” him. Honestly, I do not believe the conspiracy theories, because Fr. Corapi, while a gifted speaker, is certainly not the only gifted speaker in the Church, and they cannot all be silenced. Instead, I have to seriously consider that SOLT and their investigative panel are sincere and have legitimate evidence against him as they say that they do. And finally, this does not help Fr. C. in his claim of innocence (emphasis mine):

“As the Society was engaging this team, Fr. Corapi filed a civil lawsuit against his principal accuser. He contended that she had defamed him and breached her contract. The contract, according to Corapi’s lawsuit, contained a provision binding the woman to silence about him. He offered the woman $100,000 to enter this agreement.”

Why anyone would do that in the midst of an ongoing investigation is very hard to imagine, and at very least gives the appearance that there is some kind of information Fr. C. does not want the investigators to have access to. Not a good situation for him.

 

[jwinch2]

I’m going to donate, and write them a letter of support. I really feel for them. Lots of people are saying “They should have done this,” and “they should have done that,” but it’s easy for others to say things when they have no idea what really happened from the inside.

I have sent a couple of e-mails and posted on their Facebook page but sending a donation is a great idea. Thanks for that!

No religious order expects a PROFESSED member to carry on this way! It’s a voluntary vow, after all, that Corapi took! They would have assumed that he meant it for life!

This is the thing I keep coming back to again and again. He made vows, they were voluntary, he appears to be breaking them. I am having a very difficult time getting around those three simple facts.

 

[mom4mary]

This is the thing I keep coming back to again and again. He made vows, they were voluntary, he appears to be breaking them. I am having a very difficult time getting around those three simple facts.

Well said, I agree.

 

[guanophore]

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.

No doubt they are still reeling from the recent settlement on the molestation case just prior to the present scandal.

Let us pray for SOLT and all the leadership of Corpus Cristi, and that Fr. Corapi will turn over his assets to them in reparation for wrongs.

 

[jwinch2]

No doubt they are still reeling from the recent settlement on the molestation case just prior to the present scandal.

Ouch. I did not know about that.

Let us pray for SOLT and all the leadership of Corpus Cristi, and that Fr. Corapi will turn over his assets to them in reparation for wrongs.

I will pray for them but I will let them work out what they do from there should Father C. agree to return to his society.

 

[Veridical16]

CHARACTER ASSASSINATION
Originally Posted by Veridical16 Glenn Beck another guy with megalomania,

Originally Posted by cargau
John Corapi is a big phony.

Respectfully, that is a tenuous case. Firstly, I was making an observation, that his recent behavior reminded me of a not so good direction.

How is that character assassination??

Firstly, the omission of my whole statement makes it seem like, I’m saying being compared to Glenn Beck in actions is immediately an assassination of character, rather than an observation of behavior. It assumes a complete negative. Beck has a soul too! Earlier I merely pointed out that Glenn Beck has an ego and also a history of alcohol abuse addiction and a tragic family…the comparison is just contextual. Megalomania – that’s a neutral word in itself.

Particularly the second definition.

1. an excessive enjoyment in having power over other people and a craving for more of it
2. psychiatric disorder with delusions of power: a psychiatric disorder in which the **patient experiences delusions of great power and importance
   **

Not any confirmation that HE IS but with words like these I was troubled:

I shall continue, black sheep that I am, to speak; and sheep dog that I am, to guard the sheep—this time around not just in the Church, but also in the entire world. I am, indeed, not ready to be extinguished.

I made an observation.
Secondly, Cargau’s post came clearly after you were already accusing others of being uncharitable whilst others were saying they were not seeing what you were looking for…

Cargau made a post in haste, that’s the only post I’ve seen that was posted in haste or without gentility.

IDLE NEGATIVE SPECULATION:

Scooby:
I think he is being influenced by satan and he don’t realize it. Could that be the reason why he is going through the metamorphosis we are seeing? satan finaly winning the battle and called voctory?

Was it Idle speculation, when Fr. Corapi at the time, himself said to watch for spiritual warfare?
Is it idle for any Catholic to wonder about Peter’s epistle saying Satan is like a ROARING lion???



Is it speculation to say this image is scary??

CALUMNY

As has been revealed by those who really did listen to his tapes, and repeatedly, not only did he not lie about being a Green Beret, he specifically said he was not a Green Beret. I heard it myself at least twice in his talks. I mentioned this on another thread.

That’s telling the half truth in that later on he may have amended his talks.

A third party watchgroup who pay attention to people misrepresenting their service already pointed out his Biography had discrepancies even the Helicopter story he told.
The links have been posted here numerous times already. They speak because they SAW proof that his BIO which Corapi’s people themselves edited, exaggerated his service as ONE example where he embellished, exaggerated or misrepresented himself.

I rest my case.

In making assumptions or projecting subjectively to accuse other Catholics on here discussing something trying their best to keep charity in mind.

It seems some just want to stick their fingers in their ears. Before calling out others for bieng uncharitable look at someone who is uncharitable to his superior. His current actions are clearly wrong and have to be pointed out.

From Sojo:

If Fr. Corapi had written this on CAF instead of his own website:

“They are not leaders, they are delusional oxygen thieves—taking up the space and breathing the air that a real leader should occupy…”

His post would have been pulled as horridly uncharitable, he would receive a warning and if he pushed the subject, banned.

And Fr. Corapi’s blogs

“I love the Catholic Church…and will defend to the death the Church’s right to proceed” in his case, but then calls these same bishops and supervisors “immoral leaders” who "threw me under the bus…threw me out like yesterday’s garbage [then] shot me in the head and watched me bleed to death.

It’s also wrong to stifle people bringing up GOOD EXAMPLE v. Father Corapi’s **Erroneous Example **which leads to misguided Catholics like this on Black Sheep Dog’s site :

From Julianne. . .

“Fr. Corapi our BlackSheepDog thank you for what you shared about the sheepdog. You are definitely our wonderful sheepdog and how blessed we are to have you……You are so very wise and speak such truth. This truth you give us is so very needed and how we do need it and how we need you to give it to us. Thank you so much for all the decisions you have made since March. I hate to think of the loss we would have had if you had decided to just wait it out which could have taken forever if ever. I believe some in our church felt threatened, even jealous by your popularity and this was their chance. However, for the time being it is their loss. We, your sheep, are not dumb we are smart for we have been trained well by you……we know who to follow. THANK YOU WE LOVE YOU AND I CANT WAIT TO READ YOUR BOOK…….”

Again, Elizabeth your concerns are valid and for the defense of the office of a priest.

I’m sorry if my earlier posts came off a little bit too emotionally corrective, regarding Corapi earlier in my posts if that’s how they are perceived. I tried to use other priests thoughts.

But most on here, really are in line with Fr. Joe’s careful and balanced thoughts on the situation.

 

[Veridical16]

I have sent a couple of e-mails and posted on their Facebook page but sending a donation is a great idea. Thanks for that!

This is the thing I keep coming back to again and again. ** He made vows, they were voluntary, he appears to be breaking them. I am having a very difficult time getting around those three simple facts**.

Good Idea Jwinch, Julianne…

Even if he didn’t have those personal sins, or was innocent. He is taking the wrong direction.

 

[Veridical16]

Here’s Fr. Joe who does have an more oomhph fraternal correction. Father Joseph responds to someone defending Corapi’s defiance.

The problem is apparently that he wanted to retain his current media business and ministry along with practical autonomy from ecclesial authority. Had no allegations been brought to the Church leadership, he might still have resigned from priestly ministry. It was no secret that he was not happy. His blog touts the word “independence” in a recent post about his future life and direction, and as usual with the almost mandatory military story. Priests are not independent. We do not get into public fights with our immediate superiors. We do not disrespect them or say and do things that would lead others to mock or ridicule them. We do as we are told. When Father Corapi says that “surrender is not an option,” he is really saying, “No one will tell me what to do!”

There never was a trial, only the investigative process. The investigators were authorized by his friends in SOLT. They were on his side. They sought the truth. You are mouthing his words. There was no bus. No one wanted him to die. **Be careful that you are not manipulated. **Check out the book ELMER GANTRY by Sinclair Lewis. It is a good education in such matters.

And this advice is CERTAINLY important for this thread.

Defender :
Surrender is not an option” Father Corapi knows he is innocent. Father Corapi has been betrayed by SOLT. I don’t care how much evidence they say they have against Father Corapi. Father knows he has been framed. Everyone is innocent until PROVEN GUILTY. SOLT wrote this SWEET (lying) letter to us saying that Father was not guilty according to them (a few men) and when all along they believed Father was guilty. Why???
Father Corapi was not going to lie Under the Bus and die. He got out from under that bus to have a fair trial—which he wasn’t getting. He has every right to get out of an abusive order and away from a superior that has given up on him with out any fair trial (AND PUBLICLY ALL OF A SUDDEN ADMITS IT). Many saints left there orders and were still with the Church. SOLT is basically trying to throw Father back under the bus. Father has a canon lawyer helping him. Father is still a priest and working with the Church AS BEST AS HE CAN. Those three men are not the entire Church

*Father Corapi, has told the truth and the truth is light. SOLT HAS LIED BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS THEIR OWN STATEMENTS DON’T MATCH UP.

God love you
Lisa*

FATHER JOE:

Actually, when it comes to our posture before God, surrender is the only option. Our Lord surrendered himself to the will of his Father and was faithful to his mission, accepting the cup of our redemption. We wrestle with God over issues of sin and pride; we only win when we surrender to him all the joys and sorrows of our lives. Everything that we are and all the things we will ever accomplish must be handed over to the Lord. A priest does this by obedience to his promises, even if the authorities are unworthy of such loyalty. We are all sinners. We come into existence afflicted by original sin and are washed clean by baptism. However, we quickly find ourselves in tension with grace and struggling with iniquity. We must neither be presumptuous nor gullible about the presence of evil. Great and even good men can do terrible things. Neither you nor I can say with certainty what has transpired in Father Corapi’s life. But we must accept as faithful Catholics what legitimate authority judges to be the case in such situations, at least until proven otherwise. We do not judge the soul of this priest; that is for God alone. There is no criminal case against him. However, we can as Christians make determinations about what is morally right and wrong.

Faith is a SURRENDER. Bishop Fulton Sheen literally laid down and died before the blessed sacrament.

There are two examples that come into mind, about Father Corapi’s situation one is King Saul. Who was aware of his sins, but tried to save face, the other was King David.

I hope Fr. Corapi, reads David’s Psalm 51, his personal sins are forgivable; he doesn’t have to leave his order. He doesn’t have to be sad.

People should also read the Holy Father’s intentions this week. He talks about how we are to be a witness of the faith. Even by just saying I am a follower of Jesus Christ.
Julianne and others mentioned something good that we already have a shepherd on Earth to look to in the mean time…no need for Sheepdogs.

 

[guanophore]

Respectfully, that is a tenuous case. Firstly, I was making an observation, that his recent behavior reminded me of a not so good direction.

How is that character assassination??

… It assumes a complete negative…the comparison is just contextual. Megalomania – that’s a neutral word in itself.

Particularly the second definition.

I don’t see how anyone can possibly construe the term “megalomania” as a “neutral word”. It is clearly disparaging. The context of the thread is about Corapi’s status. You are using the word to describe his condition, or attitude.

meg·a·lo·ma·ni·a n.

1. A psychopathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of wealth, power, or omnipotence.
2. An obsession with grandiose or extravagant things or actions.

How is your use of this term not derogatory? Do you find these qualities Christlike and uplifting?

I made an observation.

Yes, you did. Your “observation” has much more to say about your state of mind than anyone else.

You said he is “phony”

Now you are demonstrating that you cannot take responsibility for your own disparaging comments.

Cargau made a post in haste, that's the only post I've seen that was posted in haste or without gentility.

Do you honestly believe that you have expressed yourself with gentility? Would you say these things to his face?

Is it idle for any Catholic to wonder about Peter’s epistle saying Satan is like a ROARING lion???

No. It is speculation to claim that you know the man’s heart. It seems to many of us that he is not living according to his own teachings. There could be many causes for this.

Is it speculation to say this image is scary??

The fact that you might be frightened by it is not. To assert that it has some evil source, yes.

  exaggerated his service as ONE example where he embellished, exaggerated or misrepresented himself.

It certainly does appear that way.

 In making assumptions or projecting subjectively to accuse other Catholics on here discussing something trying their best to keep charity in mind.

I don’t see how your selection of the terms “megalomania” and “phony” can be construed as doing your best to be charitable, but maybe this is the best you can do?

   It seems some just want to stick their fingers in their ears. Before calling out others for bieng  uncharitable look at someone who is uncharitable to his superior. His current *actions* are clearly wrong and have to be pointed out.

They are, and they have. There are rules on here about disparaging the clergy, and whatever his status at present, he has been ordained a priest.

It’s also wrong to stifle people bringing up GOOD EXAMPLE v. Father Corapi’s **Erroneous Example **which leads to misguided Catholics like this on Black Sheep Dog’s site

I dont’ find your expressions exemplary at all.

I’m sorry if my earlier posts came off a little bit too emotionally corrective, regarding Corapi earlier in my posts if that’s how they are perceived. I tried to use other priests thoughts.

We are all having to work hard at expressing ourselves around this. I appreciate your efforts.

 

[Robert_Bay]

MODERATOR WARNING

If you folks can’t discuss this topic charitably and without talking about each other, the threads will all be closed

 

[LSK]

I, too, was disturbed by the way Father Corapi appeared on the video. I am still disturbed by the action he took in leaving his ministry and I am troubled by the manner in which many Catholics have attacked or disparaged the person(s) who made the accusations.

Like many people on this forum, I was a big ‘fan’ of Father Corapi’s Catechism series. I learned a great deal from that series and I am so grateful that he made it. It is still a very good source of information, a great teaching tool and it is faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

That being said, I did not come Home to Rome because of one priest. I do not remain a practicing Catholic - and not a very good one, but I am trying - because of one program on EWTN.

My prayers are with Father Corapi, his accuser(s) and the SOLT ministry. May the Holy Spirit guide them, May Our Lady cover them with her mantle of love and may their Guardian Angels kick them in the butt when they need it.

 

[Ahimsa]

I don’t know why he has to dress like Sarah Palin.

 

[CatholicFireman]

You obviously didn’t read post # 242

 

[CatholicFireman]

I don’t know why he has to dress like Sarah Palin.

You obviously didn’t read post # 242

 

[guanophore]

I have been asked, and am happy to comply with, a request to retract and apologize for attributing these words:

cargau:

John Corapi is a big phony. He has duped many if not all of us. He is no different than any of the televengelists who touch hearts to extort money.

SOLT said he is guilty. There is too much evil in this whole charade to think otherwise.

I say the sooner we are rid of Corapi, the better.

erroneously to Verdical16.

While I strongly object to what is being said here, it was not said by Verdical16.

May we now return to the regular broadcast?

 

[catharina]

No. It is speculation to claim that you know the man’s heart. It seems to many of us that he is not living according to his own teachings. There could be many causes for this.

This is the heart of the matter.

We know and can see that a problem exists.
None of us can know the source of the problem.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I keep being drawn back to these threads.

It is a weakness in myself, I see that clearly.

I just need to remind everyone, that regardless of whatever else has transpired, Fr. Corapi has been ordered to return to his community (that he joined voluntarily, he was not conscripted) and told that he is not fit for ministry at present. That order is valid, since he is under their authority. His situation, as much as he likes to use military images, is that of a solider going AWOL. I don’t think SOLT has the wherewithal to send the MPs out to pick him up, so I don’t know what the next move is.

But regardless of whatever else he is guilty of, he is guilty of ignoring authority and an order to return to his community and stop his public ministry. (He has also insulted the Church leadership by calling them “oxygen thieves,” which takes my breath away - and does make me wonder what has happened to him, to make him say such things and not shock and disgust himself.)

 

[jwinch2]

But regardless of whatever else he is guilty of, he is guilty of ignoring authority and an order to return to his community and stop his public ministry. (He has also insulted the Church leadership by calling them “oxygen thieves,” which takes my breath away - and does make me wonder what has happened to him, to make him say such things and not shock and disgust himself.)

Good points. The guilt or innocence of the claims made by SOLT have obviously not been established (at least in a public forum, we don’t know what private evidence they may or may not have). However, his guilt of disobeying authority is public knowledge and is really not up for debate at all. In addition, his guilt of insulting his legitimate leadership is also public knowledge and is not up for debate.