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

[TheRealJuliane]

Just a reminder I posted this on another thread that was shut down.

A PRAYER FOR ALL PRIESTS

KEEP THEM, I PRAY, THEE LORD, KEEP THEM, FOR THEY , ARE THINE–

THY PRIESTS WHOSE LIVES BURN OUT BEFORE THY CONSECRATED SHRINE.

KEEP THEM FOR THEY ARE IN THE WORLD, THOUGH FROM THE WORLD APART;

WHEN EARTHLY PLEASURES TEMPT, ALLURE,

SHELTER THEM IN THY HEART.

KEEP THEM, AND COMFORT THEM IN HOURS OF LONELINESS AND PAIN,

WHEN ALL THEIR LIFE OF SACRIFICE FOR SOULS SEEMS BUT IN VAIN.

KEEP THEM AND O REMEMBER LORD, THEY HAVE NO ONE BUT THEE,

YET THEY HAVE ONLY HUMAN HEARTS, WITH HUMAN FRAILTY.

KEEP THEM SPOTLESS AS THE HOST,THAT DAILY THEY CARESS;

THEIR EVERY THOUGHT AND WORD AND DEED, DEIGN DEAREST LORD, TO BLESS.

FROM: PIETA PRAYER BOOKLET.
IMPRIMATUR: CARDINAL DOUGHERTY,ARCHBISHOP OF PHILADELPHIA

SAY 1 OUR FATHER HAIL MARY,QUEEN OF CLERGY PRAY FOR THEM.

It would be good to remember he is a priest forever.

God bless

Thank you, I’m afraid my last post was out of anger and not that charitable. I am insulted by Corapi’s attitude about his 20 years as a priest (yes I know he is one forever but HE is the one who is walking away rather than submit).

Corapi has as much as said, “Non serviam.” And for a priest, that is insubordination.

 

[JonathonofOhio]

I have listened to a great many of Corapi’s shows on EWTN, and online and I had never found any fault in anything he ever said. In fact, he had helped me to understand my faith even more. Going through and researching things he taught, I had found many of the same things being taught throughout Church history…he truly has a gift of speech and the ability to clarify things in a way that helps. He certainly had a great number of people listening to him and coming to the Catholic Church. His message doesn’t change if he’s a sinner…I never expect anyone to be perfect. Though, certainly if someone is in such a position as he was, he should set an example (practice what he preaches).

I have been following along and reading and listening to what he is saying and what SOLT is saying. Certainly it would be better for him to confess anything he did do if he did it as it would help his credibility rather than wait for the truth to come out and find out he was lying or trying to cover things up. I won’t debate that he did or he didn’t do anything until I know more of the facts-- certainly some of what I read sounds like he was doing some things that were not in agreement with his vow of poverty, but then some things sound like they are all coming from one person mainly, and we don’t know the story. I highly doubt he was perfect the entire time he was preaching, but no one is.

I did read that he said he is not leaving the Catholic Church after I had read in some media statements that he was, so obviously we can’t believe everything we read. In the video he posted on YouTube, he explained that he doesn’t want people to follow him, not to leave the Catholic Church, to love the church and follow Christ…he seems to sincerely stress that, so I saw that as a good sign at the moment Seems to me that he wants to help still, but I don’t know if he will be capable of that if he’s not living a life of piety. But from what I can tell he was forced out of that position, and the explanation of him resigning is that it was advised that he did by his legal console to speed up the investigation. For now I’m keeping my watch on the situation, but certainly his words won’t carry as much weight with me as they did when he was a priest. I just don’t know what to believe here. SOLT says there is evidence he was holding property and had items of value as well as money, but this doesn’t prove that he was doing what his accuser claimed, but it does show that he didn’t take his vows seriously enough.

The only thing we can do is pray for him and hope that he does the right thing, which he will do if he listens to the Lord who will guide him if he just asks. He certainly has a gift. I just hope he doesn’t let it go to waste and end up returning to his former life.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

End of an era, line drawn in the sand theblacksheepdog.wordpress.com/

Oh MY. Words fail me. I work in marketing and PR, but this is just sheer huzzpah! 50% off, get 'em while they last! Gack!

I will pray for his immortal soul, but I have to say I do not wish him well in his new endevours!

I prayed that he would return to the SOLT or another retreat house and live simply and quietly, building up the Body through his sacrifice and prayers. The comment from the Bishop of Helena that I quoted on another thread is all the more prophetic now.

Meanwhile, Bishop George Leo Thomas of Helena, Mont., the diocese in which Father Corapi lives, told CNS July 5 that he met with the priest only once, about five years ago, to discuss his work.

“I told him I do not allow freelancing,” Bishop Thomas said. "I want any ministry to go through my office. He never did that.

“He had a very low profile (in the diocese),” the bishop added. “To this day very little is known about him.”

 

[JonathonofOhio]

Oh MY. Words fail me. I work in marketing and PR, but this is just sheer huzzpah! 50% off, get 'em while they last! Gack!

I will pray for his immortal soul, but I have to say I do not wish him well in his new endevours!

I prayed that he would return to the SOLT or another retreat house and live simply and quietly, building up the Body through his sacrifice and prayers. The comment from the Bishop of Helena that I quoted on another thread is all the more prophetic now.

After reading new posts, I do have to say it is not good the path he is going down. I know he doesn’t want to be silenced (go under a rock as he puts it), but sadly that is his new calling…I see that he just doesn’t like that idea though. I would rather see him submit (take up his cross) and do what he is being called to do than do what he wants to do. But as I said in my previous post, (since it’s all up to him), all we can do is pray for him. I’ll miss him preaching, but I’d rather miss him preaching than see him fall to the temptations of this world.

 

[John2007]

Just a reminder that father Corapi’s life story includes serious substance abuse, and the current problems include drugs and alcohol. It’s common for addicts and alcoholics to fall off the wagon. They usually make a variety of other unwise decisions when they fall. They almost always attempt to clean up again and get their lives back in control.

Don’t be too surprised if Father Corapi humbly returns in a year or two.

Just a thought, I grew up with an alcoholic.

I will pray for him, and for the soul of my father.

John

 

[jwinch2]

The comment from the Bishop of Helena that I quoted on another thread is all the more prophetic now.

Where did you find that quote? Do you have a link?

Thanks!

 

[WesternBlot]

I have been following this with great sadness. I was just brought into the Church in April and my RCIA sponsor turned me onto Corapi’s old tapes and I’ve learned a great deal from him. Unfortunately, it seems that the last several months have been a progressively worsening situation.

It’s sickening to see him fall into a pattern of cheap infomercial jokes (50% off! All must go! Once it’s gone it’s gone!) tactics, but I will continue to pray for him to take a piece of Humble Pie, and return to his order and obey.

 

[John2007]

Just a reminder that father Corapi’s life story includes serious substance abuse, and the current problems include drugs and alcohol. It’s common for addicts and alcoholics to fall off the wagon. They usually make a variety of other unwise decisions when they fall. They almost always attempt to clean up again and get their lives back in control.

Don’t be too surprised if Father Corapi humbly returns in a year or two.

Just a thought, I grew up with an alcoholic.

I will pray for him, and for the soul of my father.

John

 

[Lisa4Catholics]

I thought we weren’t supposed to partake of his stuff any more?

I hope he finally does.

I suspect it is his stuff that was made before his faculties were suspended as far as I know there was nothing in those DVDS or CDS contrary to Church teachings. In fact The Catechism series is awesome and very thorough.

 

[rayne89]

I suspect it is his stuff that was made before his faculties were suspended as far as I know there was nothing in those DVDS or CDS contrary to Church teachings. In fact The Catechism series is awesome and very thorough.

Totally off topic. Hi Lisa, I haven’t seen you on forum in quite a long. :wave:Nice to have you back.

 

[guanophore]

Welcome to CAF cecelia.

I’m sorry if this has already been posted- ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=114254 But this is the full story for EWTN on why he was removed and has now been found guilty for his crimes. See EWTN’s full news section for all articles pertaining to this investigation.

As the poster above kindly posted- please pray for him and all priests. While he’s no longer a priest, he still needs our prayers.

Fr. Corapi was suspended (not sure what you meant by “removed”) while an investigation was conducted into allegations.

The duty of the investigative team was to look at evidence, not to find him “guilty” or not. There was sufficient evidence to lead them to the conclusion that he is not fit for ministry. To date, so far as anyone has said, he has not committed any “crimes”. His offenses are considered as such because they are inappropriate for the priestly life.

Holy orders (ordination as a priest) is one of the sacraments that leaves an indelible mark, and cannot be reversed. For that reason, like Christ, he is a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek, who had no end. He may not serve any longer as a priest, unless he reverses his course, cooperates with the investigation, and complies with his superiors. Even then he 2would unlikely ever have a public ministry as a priest. The fact that he cannot minister publicly as a priest, though, does not “unmake” him one.

 

[Lisa4Catholics]

Totally off topic. Hi Lisa, I haven’t seen you on forum in quite a long. :wave:Nice to have you back.

hugs Rayne wonderful to see you too!!!http://bestsmileys.com/happy/5.gif

 

[7_Sorrows]

"That era of my life is sadly ended, but rather than lie down and die, I have made a decision to continue doing what I can to inspire, teach, and give hope to the people living in a time in history much in need of it."

Again, with the “lie down and die” phrase!!! I am so tired of hearing/reading that!!! How insulting it is to his order!!! As if the vows he took now amount to laying down and dying!!! How trite this is, how shallow, how empty! How can anyone read that and still think that this man has anything to offer them???



How can he just say “That era of my life is sadly ended…” as if it is just a job he can quit or a marriage he can just walk away from???

Oh this statement makes me the angriest of all!!! I am DONE, and it will be hard for me to even pray for him after that.

p.s. Edited to add: I would bet that he has been told NOT to sell anything else and to close down his other websites. He’s making it sound as though it’s his idea but I would bet that it’s a legal issue. Good. He wants to be finished, he should be finished.

i am tired of hearing that phrase also!!! enough already! hope he doesn’t trademark that phrase. i just received the newsletter awhile ago and couldn’t believe what i was reading.
it is his choice that it is an end of an era.

 

[guanophore]

I won't debate that he did or he didn't do anything until I know more of the facts-- certainly some of what I read sounds like he was doing some things that were not in agreement with his vow of poverty, but then some things sound like they are all coming from one person mainly, and we don't know the story.

We know enough.

But from what I can tell he was forced out of that position, and the explanation of him resigning is that it was advised that he did by his legal console to speed up the investigation.

I thought this at first too, but it is not the case. He was not only never “forced out”, but even after everything that happened, his community is still directing him to come home.

He permanently stalled the investigation by slapping his accuser with a lawsuit which he has refused to withdraw. It had nothing to do with speeding the investigation, but everything to do with stalling it. When the investigators uncovered information from other sources that were not being pressured to silence, they found enough to bring them to the conclusion that he is not fit for ministry.

All we can do is pray for him and hope that he does the right thing, which he will do if he listens to the Lord who will guide him if he just asks.  He certainly has a gift. I just hope he doesn't let it go to waste and end up returning to his former life.

Amen.

 

[guanophore]

Where did you find that quote? Do you have a link?

Thanks!

ncronline.org/news/people/corapi-i-wont-leave-montana-live-order

 

[jwinch2]

ncronline.org/news/people/corapi-i-wont-leave-montana-live-order

Thank you!

One of the things that came to me recently is that Father seems not only to be in violation of the vows and promises he made to SOLT and during his ordination in terms of obedience, he also appears to be in violation of multiple Canon laws. I am wondering if this is one of the reasons he is stepping back. If he knows he is in violation of Canon laws on multiple levels, he can likely expect to get nothing in terms of dispensation from Rome should he choose to appeal.

In addition, I find it quite interesting that he has been disobeying the Bishop of the diocese in which he resides for 5 years and no one did anything about it. How does that happen? I’m quite surprised that the bishop of Montana hadn’t called the superior of SOLT after a few months of non compliance and told them to either get him to comply or to get his derriere out of his diocese. Canon 273 says something to the effect that priests are to obey the pope and their local bishop. It is obvious he is not obeying his superior’s commands and no it seems that, unless this bishops is lying for some reason which we obviously have no evidence for, Father C. has been in violation of this Canon law for some time now.

One of the other things I have been thinking about recently is the idea of poverty. Canon 282 states that priests are to live simple lives and avoid opulence and ostentatious living. If what has been stated about his financial status and living situation are true, he would seem to be violating that law. Obviously, the arrangement he had with SOLT allowe him to make profit in some way from the sales of his materials along with his retreats. However, Canon law would seem to trump SOLT’s constitution.

Canon 280 states that priests are strongly encouraged to live some sort of common life. Obviously if he has been living by himself in Montana and the local bishop states that he kept a very low profile and, he has obviously not been living his brothers in SOLT, so this would suggest he is in violation of this Canon as well. Of course, this one may be a bit hard to pin down since the language I found says “strongly encouraged” rather than having an absolute requirement.

There are probably a number of other Canons I am missing here. Certainly we could throw in the ones about celibacy, etc. but i was trying to keep it to things which are less solidly proven at this time.

I’m afraid that this information that he has been in violation of the orders of his local bishop for 5 years does not paint a very flattering picture of Father Corapi. It strongly suggests to me someone that feels they are above the rules and that he had become enamored with his own celebrity. I can’t help but wonder how much we think we know about Father Corapi and what he has stood for is actually true. At this point, I can’t really take it for granted anymore…

 

[GraceSofia]

I think this statement by bishop Lennon shows how the faithful watch over the church and it’s leadership. I learned this in adult religious education that the masses of lay parishioners do influence the Vatican but I’m new at this.

Bishop Lennon statement:

“While I am confident that I am faithfully handling the responsibilities entrusted to me, I personally made this request earlier this year because a number of persons have written to Rome expressing their concerns about my leadership of the Diocese. This visit will be an opportunity to gather extensive information on all aspects of the activities of the Diocese and will allow for an objective assessment of my leadership. I ask for prayers that this process will support the vibrancy and vitality of our Diocese going forward.”

msnbc.msn.com/id/43714057/ns/local_news-cleveland_oh/

Journey,
Thanks. Yes, you are right. I hadn’t thought about that type of thing.

 

[debraran]

What bothered me reading some of the posts on BSD. They don’t believe or ignore anything from SOLT (which is the enemy) but do they really think that they would say they had texts and emails, etc. if they didn’t have proof? It’s scandelous enough, you can’t put them in the paper, but that’s right when Father said “Enough” and no mention of sueing them or anyone else.

His sins aren’t new if true, but I felt, although it seemed unseemly, they wanted to address the angry and unending stream of calls, letters etc. I imagine their phone was ringing off the wall, so to speak.

That’s what bothers me, that the “pink elephant” is still there but no one really address’s it.

I can’t ask God to help him in his new endeavor, but I do ask him to help him get help.

 

[Holly3278]

This whole ordeal just deeply saddens me. I have no idea whether or not Fr. Corapi is guilty of the charges or not. Regardless, I am still deeply saddened by all of this. I remember watching him on EWTN in the past and I always really enjoyed his preaching and stuff. Now that this has happened, it really just breaks my heart.

 

[PaulinVA]

I’m afraid that this information that he has been in violation of the orders of his local bishop for 5 years does not paint a very flattering picture of Father Corapi. It strongly suggests to me someone that feels they are above the rules and that he had become enamored with his own celebrity. I can’t help but wonder how much we think we know about Father Corapi and what he has stood for is actually true. At this point, I can’t really take it for granted anymore…

I follow and somewhat agree with what you posted. However, Fr Corapi never needed to ask for faculties from the Bishop of Helena if he never administered the sacraments there. And, in keeping a low profile, he probably didn’t volunteer to say Mass or hear confessions at a local parish.

I find that not in the spirit of the priesthood, but not a violation of canon law. I’m just taken aback by the total “lone wolf” life that he led. Swoop into a town, give a conference and swoop back to Montana to hang out with his staff, who he swore/contracted to secrecy. Strange.