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

[Lux_et_veritas]

I have a new post up with some thoughts after watching Corapi’s latest video.

It’s only meant for those who have the time, and the inclination, to read it. It’s not meant to parade this matter out forever, but rather directed at those souls who are confused and still trying to process this sad affair. It’s also for those who think that it’s a benign matter to simply dismiss all that has happened and to follow the Black Sheep Dog in his new endeavor.

My combox permits anonymous comments there, but I appreciate when a pseudonym is used so we don’t have numerous “anon’s” and can distinguish one person from another. I’ll also look for any replies in this thread.

te-deum.blogspot.com/2011/07/corapi-appears-in-video-caves-but-how.html

 

[catharina]

As someone who has seen Father Corapi mulitple times and have gotten others to listen to him, I am beyond sad about the whole thing. I just can’t believe this is really happening to be honest, it is really depressing me.

Our Lord reminds us:

John Chapter 14
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
2 In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be.
4 Where (I) am going you know the way.”

 

[fisherman_carl]

As someone who has seen Father Corapi mulitple times and have gotten others to listen to him, I am beyond sad about the whole thing. I just can’t believe this is really happening to be honest, it is really depressing me.

True. It is sad. For me it is sad because scandal is never a good witness for the church, especially from someone who claims to preach the catechism. But, I think we need to distance ourselves somewhat from these events and not let them trouble us too much. Because for one we can’t do anything about what has already happened. Fr. Corapi has been accused of misconduct. Regardless of whether those allegations are true or false we have to look at what he is actually doing today. He can’t change what he has done or not done in the past anymore than we can.

From what I have heard is he refuses to listen to his order. That to me is a big red flag. I was sad about it yesterday and wondered how could someone like Fr. Corapi, who is well know, and seems to be a champion of the faith be living such a double life style. I decided to listen to some recordings I had of him and randomly picked one. And, I believe it was the Lord who was showing me something through this video of Corapi talking about priests who fall away because of scandal. And he talked about how the priest can get lonely and if he is not careful he can fall into sin. It seemed to answer my questions. You can read the transcript of this here - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=8087148#post8087148

I don’t think we should judge Fr. Corapi, only his actions. Have we not heard of many a TV evangelist who falls away into some sin and scandal? Why is this? Upon reflecting on this I think that for many who with good intentions start a ministry that becomes widely popular and successful, this can be a source of pride and the ministry itself becomes an idol. The ministry takes the place of God. And, whenever we substitute God for something else in our lives we trade the real thing that satisfies us for a cheap substitute. And, with the resulting void in us we become susceptible to the temptations of the flesh, of which the devil never stops offering.

Ultimately we can take comfort in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who never disappoints us or lets us down if we trust in him. Let us not put our faith in fallible men but rather in Christ. And let us pray for Fr. Corapi that the Lord will change his heart. Because it is only God’s love that can change men’s hearts. We can do nothing apart from him.

 

[Marie5890]

I have a new post up with some thoughts after watching Corapi’s latest video.

It’s only meant for those who have the time, and the inclination, to read it. It’s not meant to parade this matter out forever, but rather directed at those souls who are confused and still trying to process this sad affair. It’s also for those who think that it’s a benign matter to simply dismiss all that has happened and to follow the Black Sheep Dog in his new endeavor.

My combox permits anonymous comments there, but I appreciate when a pseudonym is used so we don’t have numerous “anon’s” and can distinguish one person from another. I’ll also look for any replies in this thread.

te-deum.blogspot.com/2011/07/corapi-appears-in-video-caves-but-how.html

Diane, I did take the time to read your blog post. I don’t have anything to really comment on other than to say you articulate well the source of questions, concerns, sadness and confusion…

I have all sorts of thoughts and questions that make me wonder this that and the other.

There does seem, this far into his priesthood journey, some sort of re-branding as you call it, though I dont know his intent behind it.

The quote from “Coronary” was very enlightening though. Made me pause. Actually it made me stop in my thought tracks. He seems(ed) to know what what is (one of) his achielle’s heels was (is) and that would be one of being able to give up the worldly goods. He seems he is unable to follow thru with that call to obedience, for whatever reason.

It’s too bad. I learned a great deal from his Catechism series . But his behavior, at least for now, is not in alignment with the promises he made.

Ah well…I can’t say this has really shaken me because he really wasn’t that instrumental in my formation. But I truly feel for those, like yourself, who were greatly impacted by his ministry. And you all have my prayers.

It’s a time for growth for all.
I said it before that his comment in his latest video message of 7-8, the idea the past 10 years has been very hard from him make me think the man really wants out of his priesthood promises and wants to live the secular life.

When push has come to shove, he wants his toys. He wants his material toys to play with. And that is what he is chosen. IMO anyway.

 

[Lux_et_veritas]

Ah well…I can’t say this has really shaken me because he really wasn’t that instrumental in my formation. But I truly feel for those, like yourself, who were greatly impacted by his ministry. And you all have my prayers.

I think many Catholics whom God reached through him, as the instrument that he was, are firm enough in their faith not to be shaken.

Myself, though I benefited especially some years ago, later was not so dependent. The reason for this is that the priests in my parish have done their job, unhindered by that which hinders many fine priests today, which is others over them who were “raised” to not ruffle feathers.

I feel really bad for those who don’t have what I have. For some people, Corapi was all they had.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I am glad he released this video. As far as I can see, it has led to almost total condemnation and many heartfelt entreaties for him to do as he has been told and return to his real home, the SOLT community in Texas. I think there are very few people who can watch that video and not feel very troubled and alarmed for Corapi. It was the best thing he could have done. Well, the 2nd best, the very best thing would have been for him to release a video saying that he is returning to SOLT and letting whatever process work itself out.

I will keep praying for him every day. I think lots of prayers are being said on his behalf right now. I prayed for him during Mass tonight and will continue to do so.

Thanks to the moderators for your patience during this time. I think most people have been remarkably restrained, compared to some of the comments on the Youtube page or his other social networking pages.

 

[jwinch2]

One thing which crossed my mind a while ago is the following and please understand that I am not attempting to judge here, I am simply concerned for Father C’s soul as well as those of his supporters.

My understanding of his orders of obedience to his superior upon his professor to SOLT as well as during his ordination are such that if he is guilty of disobedience, he is under pain of mortal sin. Is that accurate?

If so, it would imply that all of the people encouraging him to continue his disobedience are in in fact encouraging someone to commit mortal sin providing the know what it is that they are doing.

Am I wrong on that?

 

[Marie5890]

Yes I too appreciate the moderators great patience while people work thru this.

One of the most ironic things to come of all of this, at least for me, is the whole idea of being obedient to the commands of one’s superior.

Fr Corapi’s style of preaching has had that of a “military feel”, of “battle” and “never give up”…Of course he has talked about his own military career (I am aware of some of the issues even over that).

He knows, having served in the military, what it means to obey an order. You obey.
He knows what it means to have a superior officer. He had them in the army.
He has them in the priesthood.

The idea of being obedient to those above you is nothing new to him. So it just leaves me thinking the whole thing is odd.

 

[Elizabeth502]

I do not think you will find statements to that effect in this thread.

CHARACTER ASSASSINATION:

Glenn Beck another guy with megalomania,

John Corapi is a big phony.

IDLE NEGATIVE SPECULATION:

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?

There is a deep part of me that I am trying not to listen to which has started to feel as if the whole thing has been a charade for years and that, while he may have gotten into the priesthood honestly, he has in fact been drifting away for a long time as he has become more wealthy and famous.

I really dislike having those thoughts, and I don’t want to believe them but I would be lying if I said anything else.

Then the charitable and prudent thing to do would be not to share them.

CALUMNY

If Fr. Corapi was a big-time drug-dealer as he claimed to be (not likely though, given that he lied about being a Green Beret), then this would have precluded him from valid Holy Orders.

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.

I rest my case.

 

[Elizabeth502]

Clarifying: some of these are from another thread, but there were also 2 or 3 comments on this thread that there have been no violations against charity anywhere on the forum. The above is merely a sampling, hardly exhaustive.

 

[jwinch2]

Clarifying: some of these are from another thread, but there were also 2 or 3 comments on this thread that there have been no violations against charity anywhere on the forum. The above is merely a sampling, hardly exhaustive.

And those who have made such comments ON THIS THREAD have been called out as such, more than once. If you feel they are out of line then by all means report the posts in question to a moderator and have at it. In fact, where I have seen it, I have reported the posts myself. If you wish to be part of the solution you can do the same. Otherwise, please drop it.

As for my comment which you singled out, I strongly disagree. I was extremely careful to state that I was feeling this, not that I thought it was fact. I did not accuse him of such and I strongly resent your implication that I did. Lying to avoid saying something which is uncomfortable is not charitable in the slightest. For example, I would be lying if I did not say that I feel that your mission here is not to have a diologue on this issue but rather to bait people into saying something to cause moderators to close this thread. As such, I have just informed the moderators of your repeated attempts at derailing this conversation. I have noticed the exact same trend in other threads on this topic so I am left with no conclusion to draw other than this is intentional behavior.

Have a wonderful evening.

 

[mom4mary]

For example, I would be lying if I did not say that I feel that your mission here is not to have a diologue on this issue but rather to bait people into saying something to cause moderators to close this thread. As such, I have just informed the moderators of your repeated attempts at derailing this conversation. I have noticed the exact same trend in other threads on this topic so I am left with no conclusion to draw other than this is intentional behavior

Have a wonderful evening.

And I have done the same, three times now, and will do it again if this persists.

 

[Marie5890]

I have greatly appreciated the patience of the moderators allowing us the time to have a dialogue over this.

I do believe the vast majority of us have taken great strides and time to think to make sure that we were being charitable while being honest. Of course there have been a few that haven’t (isn’t that mostly the case when human emotions are high? there are usually a few)

But most of us have tried to keep the tone charitable. I firmly believe that, even when just few other get the attention of not being so.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

:nope::nope:IDLE NEGATIVE SPECULATION:

Quote:
Originally Posted by scoobydoo6v92
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?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jwinch2
There is a deep part of me that I am trying not to listen to which has started to feel as if the whole thing has been a charade for years and that, while he may have gotten into the priesthood honestly, he has in fact been drifting away for a long time as he has become more wealthy and famous.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jwinch2
I really dislike having those thoughts, and I don’t want to believe them but I would be lying if I said anything else.

I think not.

 

[Robertanthony]

I’d like to shed some light on this mess by sharing what I learned long ago in a theology class on Holy Orders and it’s a shame it’s not common knowledge among Catholics today because if it was it would go a long way to help stop these scandals in their tracks in the first place - not after the horse is out of the barn.

There are certain past sins and condition that ban someone from ever becoming a priest. These include apostasy (denying Christ), insanity, and murder (direct or indirect). An example the priest that taught the class gave is if a person recommended or encouraged someone to have an abortion and the abortion is procurred, then they are ineligible for Holy Orders. If Fr. Corapi was a big-time drug-dealer as he claimed to be (not likely though, given that he lied about being a Green Beret), then this would have precluded him from valid Holy Orders.

My point is this: this man should never have been ordained in the first place and that is the biggest problem in the church now and in the past - the ordination of unqualified and unsuitable candidates. The fact that he broadcasted that he had not led a life of virtue should have been a red flag, but so many catholics are ignorant about many important aspects of the faith. Conversion is one thing, sanctification is another and a life of virtue as a foundation is a must for those considering the priesthood. The monastery and a penitential life are appropriate options for those who have had a major conversion from a life of serious sin, not the priesthood.

Why can’t an ordination be annulled if there’s evidence that one canonical condition making one ineligible to the priesthood was present in the candidate’s life, in the same way a marriage can be annulled? Is a severe mental breakdown leading one to not eat for days and not speak for a month when committed to a mental institution, followed by years of homelessness in despair and agony of spirit (again trusting John Corapi’s own words) not on equal footing with insanity. Insanity as in psychosis, one could argue John experienced a psychotic episode. TO ME, this whole situation is like being told by my father that he’s not my biological father and that he’s leaving my mom to go live with a man AND talking to me as if nothing had happened. Surreal. God help this man.

 

[luvlyknits]

I saw the video but kept the audio off… its too depressing for me to see him not only not wear his collar but all decked out in leather with a huge black beard.

I just want to cry!

Me too. It really made me sick to my stomach trying to finish watching that. And really, did they need to zoom out to catch a whole glimse of him with his jeans on too? Was the leather jacket and dyed beard/eyebrows not enough??? It makes me want to scream but at what? Maybe I was putting to much faith in a man… enough so that I am extremely disturbed about this whole thing???

Prayer, prayer, prayer and more prayer… I guess that is all I can say now!

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

Why can’t an ordination be annulled if there’s evidence that one canonical condition making one ineligible to the priesthood was present in the candidate’s life, in the same way a marriage can be annulled? Is a severe mental breakdown leading one to not eat for days and not speak for a month when committed to a mental institution, followed by years of homelessness in despair and agony of spirit (again trusting John Corapi’s own words) not on equal footing with insanity. Insanity as in psychosis, one could argue John experienced a psychotic episode. TO ME, this whole situation is like being told by my father that he’s not my biological father and that he’s leaving my mom to go live with a man AND talking to me as if nothing had happened. Surreal. God help this man.

Actually my friend who is a priest told me that yes there is a something that is done (forget the name) that basically will make the ordination anulled. Not sure if it is true but that is what I was told be my friend Fr ____t .

 

[dans0622]

…

There are certain past sins and condition that ban someone from ever becoming a priest. These include apostasy (denying Christ), insanity, and murder (direct or indirect). An example the priest that taught the class gave is if a person recommended or encouraged someone to have an abortion and the abortion is procurred, then they are ineligible for Holy Orders.

…

Hello RosarieHope,

There is some confusion here regarding the “impediments” to reception and/or exercise of Holy Orders. All that is required for a valid ordination is: a bishop, saying the proper prayer, laying his hands on a baptized man who intends (wants) to be ordained. What you mention here are actions or a quality (mental disorder) that would impede the *lawful *reception of the Sacrament, not the *valid *reception. These impediments can be dispensed by the proper authority in the Church.

Since this is beside the point of the thread, I’ll leave it at that and direct any interested party to cc. 1040ff of the Code of Canon Law (keeping in mind c. 1024).

Dan

 

[guanophore]

I hope someday this will be cleared up by SOLT or someone in Church authority. Some priest have stated on their online blogs that we could be sinning by following Fr. Corapi into his sin if we buy or listen to any of his media and yet on the other hand, you have some priest’s who don’t agree with his actions but tell us to pray for him and still love him either way. If I had only one question for SOLT to clear up I would ask them what you just said.

“Does it mean he is A) not fit to celebrate the sacraments; B) preach; C) teach; D) etc.? All of the above? Only A and B?”

I wish this was cleared up honestly.

No society would presume to determine that a priest is not “fit to celebrate the sacraments”. The Church has long since determined that the efficacy of the sacraments are not based upon the fitness of the priest.

The preaching and teaching was done under the auspices of SOLT. I think it is clear that they don’t consider him fit according to their missions and standards.

Corapi has always refused to share the floor with anyone, including a ministry team. When the Catholic center here tried to invite him for a conference, he said he would not come unless he was the only speaker. :bigyikes:

 

[Ahimsa]

Having seen the video, I have one thing to say: The Fonz!