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

[mom4mary]

Maybe it’s just me but I don’t agree about this “litigious frame of mind” at all. Fr. Corapi has to do what’s necessary to clear his name in a civil court (where his original accuser will have to defend the charge of defamation and libel).

So he is paying witnesses to remain silent so that they would not speak to the SOLT investigators? If he is wanting to clear his name, he is not off to a winning start with that strategy.

 

[mom4mary]

I’m not saying whether Fr. Corapi is or not guilty as charged. I say wait for more info to come forward before “throwing (him) under the bus” so quickly and judgmentally.

His own Order has declared him guilty. Both his own Order and the Bishop of Corpus Christi have found him unfit for priestly ministry. He has chosen to walk away and assume a new persona as The Black Sheep Dog. The only one throwing Fr. Corapi “under the bus” is Fr. Corapi himself, by his own words and actions. Most recently, by posting that outrageous countdown clock to his “new life”.

 

[mom4mary]

Take the supposition of Father Corapi’s case. Suppose he is really innocent (thus far there has been the supposition of guilt without a verdict; unless I’m mistaken a verdict or something of the nature has been reached.)

His Order, SOLT, has declared him guilty in their statement issued July 5, 2011. Both his own Order and the Bishop of Corpus Christi have declared him unfit for priestly ministry and have suspended him.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Take the supposition of Father Corapi’s case. Suppose he is really innocent (thus far there has been the supposition of guilt without a verdict; unless I’m mistaken a verdict or something of the nature has been reached.)

When he is found to be innocent (a supposition and not my own belief), what are going to be the consequences? Will Father return to the Church, and as a result, return to the priesthood? But even leaving this question aside and unanswered, does anyone realize how greater the consequence is of him being found innocent than being guilty? Here you have a man who has been betokened the Sacred deposit faith and endowed with the Sacrament of Holy Orders upon his soul. Here you will have a man, if he is innocent, who will have had his soul and all he believed compromised by an unjust (and pretty bantering) action. Looking back, you can see a man, if he a turns out innocent, who was driven and pushed away from the priesthood (and quite as much as the Church.) What motive facinates and drives anyone to push another person so far from the Church (and consequently from the faith)? Wouldn’t this be worst than a heresy since a heresy generally draws the soul away from the Truth of Salvation rather than pushing one’s soul away from Salvation? Be careful of judging someone’s guilt ("which of you has not sinned, cast the first stone - Jesus Christ spoke when a woman ran away from the men trying to stone her.)

Yes, that is the concern exactly. And that is why so many of us hoped he would go to the SOLT motherhouse originally, before all the announcements in June. When the original statement was made in March (Ash Wednesday), there was concern, but nothing like what has been going on recently. If he had quietly and humbly followed the process (including an eventual possibility of appealing to Rome) it would not have caused all this upheaval and scandal. If he was found innocent, he could have returned to active life similar to how he did after his illness a few years ago. If he had been found guilty, there would have been breathing room in between and without the “lay down and die” and “oxygen thieves” remarks, would have been much less divisive.

Praying again for him, and for all of us, that we may be kept close to God in times of stress and trouble.

 

[franas]

His own Order has declared him guilty. Both his own Order and the Bishop of Corpus Christi have found him unfit for priestly ministry. He has chosen to walk away and assume a new persona as The Black Sheep Dog. The only one throwing Fr. Corapi “under the bus” is Fr. Corapi himself, by his own words and actions. Most recently, by posting that outrageous countdown clock to his “new life”.

The countdown is for the fire sale of his old media. Give the guy a break !
Also, history will attest of many innocent people who were improperly judged including some within the church. Man has not changed much through the ages so one should not be surprised if somehow the “system” failed again, … and again.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

For the first part - not necessarily true -, Social justice depends on justice. And so does Canon law depend - on justice. The Church can stipulate the necessity of social welfare of a person who is dependent upon justice (social justice and, in particular, the corporeal and incorporeal works of mercy; including using one’s civil duty to better protect the unborn) in the proceedings of justice in as much as She (the Bride of Christ) stipulates the need to shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, comfort the sick, and visit the imprisoned. And in regard to Father’s decision, the Church can advise anyone to take upon their civil duties (a.k.a rights, freedoms, and responsibilities; freedom to vote; freedom of speech; freedom of press; freedom of peacful assembly; freedom of religion) for the betterment of justice (and in Father’s case, which is the case; and as Benjamin Franklin replied, when asked what was the settled form government, “A republic, if you can keep it.” - words to that effect.)

With regard to the second part, there has been problems with the process of (meaning what is done with) Canon Law when priests are accused of a scandal. The religiously accused do not get the same quality (not necessarily a better one, either) of justice in a Canonical process as much as a civil one.

Fr Corapi was not accused under the “Denver Charter”, so the process is not exactly the same. Br. JR has given us excellent outlines of the process and everyone’s rights and responsibilities under canon law. I recommend we all go back and read them.

As a priest, canon law binds Fr Corapi and the SOLT to a higher degree than civil law. Since the accusations had to do with his actions as a priest, that is the proper place for the investigation. The accuser did not file a civil suit or call the police on criminal charges, she wrote a letter to the bishop. It behooved him to allow the canonical investigation to go forward and be completed without impediments on his part before taking any other action.

Whatever the original accusations were, and whether or not he is innocent of them, have all been overlaid by his very obvious disobedience and imprudent actions since then.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

The countdown is for the fire sale of his old media. Give the guy a break !
Also, history will attest of many innocent people who were improperly judged including some within the church. Man has not changed much through the ages so one should not be surprised if somehow the “system” failed again, … and again.

Innocent people have been improperly judged throughout history in every legal system ever devised. That cannot be the criteria for not following the legitimate process or no one would ever submit to any legal system.

The process for investigation and the rules should not be a suprise to someone with his level of education on church matters. Understanding your obligations to the bishop and to your superior is part of a priest’s formation.

It is true that man has not changed much throughout the ages, and pride and vanity have always been easy tools to bring a man down. Let us all pray for proper humility, or “there but for the grace of God” go we.

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

Fr Corapi was not accused under the “Denver Charter”, so the process is not exactly the same. Br. JR has given us excellent outlines of the process and everyone’s rights and responsibilities under canon law. I recommend we all go back and read them.

As a priest, canon law binds Fr Corapi and the SOLT to a higher degree than civil law. Since the accusations had to do with his actions as a priest, that is the proper place for the investigation. The accuser did not file a civil suit or call the police on criminal charges, she wrote a letter to the bishop. It behooved him to allow the canonical investigation to go forward and be completed without impediments on his part before taking any other action.

Whatever the original accusations were, and whether or not he is innocent of them, have all been overlaid by his very obvious disobedience and imprudent actions since then.

Exactly!!! Everytime he opens his mouth and posts that garbage on his dark website he digs deeper and deeper into the hole. I personally feel that at the very least there is smoke coming from the Corapi compound. To what degree only God the accuser and he knows. We can all speculate on what he did or whether he is innocent. (doubt it as he is not even trying to keep his priesthood again my opinion) What is tragic is that he is a shell of who he used to be and he is just causing more pain for SOLT and himself and the Church most of all. .

 

[catharina]

Take the supposition of Father Corapi’s case. Suppose he is really innocent (thus far there has been the supposition of guilt without a verdict; unless I’m mistaken a verdict or something of the nature has been reached.)

When he is found to be innocent (a supposition and not my own belief), what are going to be the consequences? Will Father return to the Church, and as a result, return to the priesthood? But even leaving this question aside and unanswered, does anyone realize how greater the consequence is of him being found innocent than being guilty? Here you have a man who has been betokened the Sacred deposit faith and endowed with the Sacrament of Holy Orders upon his soul. Here you will have a man, if he is innocent, who will have had his soul and all he believed compromised by an unjust (and pretty bantering) action. Looking back, you can see a man, if he a turns out innocent, who was driven and pushed away from the priesthood (and quite as much as the Church.)

Father C is responsible for the actions and decisions of Father C. No one else can take responsibility for “driving him” anywhere. He has chosen to act in disobedience to his lawful canonical Superior. That is not acceptable. It is not OK. If it should be determined that Father was unjustly accused, then he will share that experience with Our Lord Himself. To offer any pretense that Father C is “free” to disobey his lawful Superiors is flawed logic. They have not ordered him “to sin” - the only path that would allow him to be disobedient.

What motive facinates and drives anyone to push another person so far from the Church (and consequently from the faith)? Wouldn’t this be worst than a heresy since a heresy generally draws the soul away from the Truth of Salvation rather than pushing one’s soul away from Salvation? Be careful of judging someone’s guilt ("which of you has not sinned, cast the first stone - Jesus Christ spoke when a woman ran away from the men trying to stone her.)

That woman did NOT run away. On the contrary she was being held captive. It was the words of Our Lord that, in the end, set her free.

**from JOHN : 2-11

2 But early in the morning he arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and he sat down and taught them.
3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle.
4 They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.
5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?”
6 They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
7 But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
8 Again he bent down and wrote on the ground.
9 And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So he was left alone with the woman before him.
10 Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more.”**

 

[mom4mary]

The countdown is for the fire sale of his old media. Give the guy a break !
Also, history will attest of many innocent people who were improperly judged including some within the church. Man has not changed much through the ages so one should not be surprised if somehow the “system” failed again, … and again.

No, Fr. Corapi has made it clear that he has “drawn a line in the sand”. Selling off his inventory is part of that “line in the sand” as he ventures into his new life as The Black SheepDog.

Fr. Corapi has a long history of drug and alcohol abuse. I have a close family member who has a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, and I can tell you firsthand that persons who suffer from addiction look for others who will go to every extreme to enable and support them, no matter how bizarre and extreme their behavior becomes. Fr. Corapi’s behavior - if nothing else - is absolutely BIZARRE at this point. Fr. Corapi’s followers, in choosing to completely abandon logic, reason, and the plain facts (yes, FACTS) of his case, are functioning as those enablers for him. It is neither loving nor wise - for Fr. Corapi OR his followers - to encourage him down the path he is choosing. The most loving response is to encourage him to go back to his Order and the Bishop of Corpus Christi and let the ecclesial investigation move forward, including an appeal to Rome if he so chooses.

I have asked this question before, and I will have to ask it again - how, how on earth, can any human being engender such a level of blind loyalty from his followers that they choose repeatedly to suspend all logic and reason in exonerating and defending him?

 

[guanophore]

Here is what bothers me. SOLT let Fr. Corapi live away from community. Did they not know his history?

Permission was granted when there was no headquarters yet in Corpus Cristi.
All the SOLT members in that area lived away, becuase there was no communal living available to them. When a residence was purchased (I think in the early 90’s), he was invited and urged him to return, but did not. It may be the disobedience we are seeing now has actually been manifesting for a decade or so. I think they did not press him because publicly he seemed to be doing so well, and they wanted to believe, as we all did, that his private life was the source of his public effectiveness. He also has a very well developed persona, and probably seemed to all of them as if he was not at risk. He spent 12 years in graduate training all over the world, and I am sure he came across as solid, accomplished, and not at risk of imminent relapse.

Fr. Corapi has said he has had issues or problems in communities in the past. Was no one taking notice? Did he keep his past a secret?

He talked about the problems in his talks. It seems like he never made any effort to keep it a secret. It seems that they just did not put the pieces together. I never thought about his stories from the point of view of a narcissitic and defiant individual until this recent disobedience came to light. I suddenly realized that he may have been bucking authority all his life! Community life generally addresses those types of problems, but he never stayed in one long enough to get sanded down.

I pray for Fr. Corapi everyday. Guess I should add SOLT to that as well.

Yes, and all involved.

His series on the Catechism is wonderful and when I see pictures of him earlier in his ministry he looked so happy and fulfilled. Somehow he seems to have gotten off track and for that there seems to be plenty of blame to go around. Though blame does no good at all.

Blame does not, but proper placement of responsibility does. This is a preventable problem, if the warning signs are heeded.

 We must pray for him. He really, really needs our prayers right now. The mortal man we can see today has no resemblance to the man he was at the beginning of his priesthood.

I agree. He looks downright beaten up.

 

[JReducation]

This brings up a good point. If Father Corapi believes that they are making this stuff up and that SOLT does not in fact, have the evidence they claim to have, then why has he not sued them for defamation or better yet, appealed his situation to Rome?

If he truly believes he is being wronged, I really wish he would appeal to Rome.

He has the right to appeal in an ecclesiastical tribunal. He does not have the right to sue his community. We may never do that. That would be the kiss of death for a number of theological and ecclesial reasons:

• The community is part of the Church, because it is canonically erected by the Church.
• You have made a solemn oath to the Church. Just as you don’t sue your spouse, you don’t sue your Church without doing irreparable harm to the bond.
• Major superiors speak for the community.
• Major superiors speak for Christ.
• Major superiors speak for the Church.
• When you make profession in a community, be it religious, secular order or society of apostolic life, you sign a document that says that you will never ask anything from the community and that you hold the community harmless, if you decide to leave. You owe it nothing and it owes you nothing. You cannot make profession without signing this oat, with your hand on a bible.

It’s important to read not only Canon Law, but also the many documents that have come down through the ages on religious life, societies of apostolic life, vows and oaths. Some are online.

Okay I haven’t yet gotten to the last page of this thread.

JR, thank you for you insight into obedience. I actually looked up the Rule of St. Benedict.

You did the right thing. Benedict is the best authority on obedience. He was the first to organize religious into a cohesive body in the Western Church and Basil in the Eastern Churches. When Augustine, Francis and Albert wrote their rules, they looked at Benedict to fully understand the meaning of obedience.

I notice that people speak about obedience as if they were speaking about parents and children, or the state and citizens. That’s not the same as Christian obedience. Christian obedience is much more complex and requires much more of us. Obedience to the Church goes into deeper levels of our lives, as St. Benedict clearly points out.

Here is what bothers me. SOLT let Fr. Corapi live away from community. Did they not know his history?

Here is what is public knowledge. Fr. Corapi and his superior have said that at the time that Father entered the SOLT the founder, who was then the superior, allowed the individual members to live independently and to fund their own work. Obviously, they had to find a source of income and they had to find a place to live.

The community had a general chapter and changed the constitutions. The new constitutions require the members of the SOLT to live in community and to work in teams. The SOLT is a very interesting community. They are not all priests. They are priests, brothers, sisters and laymen. The teams are made up of combinations of people, all members of the SOLT. The priests and brothers live in the same house. The sisters live in another house and the lay SOLT live in their homes, unless they’re out on mission.

The superior said that they had asked Father to move into a community house, apparently before this mess. Father had not done so. He does not say whether Father actually refused. He did say that they were working with Father and several of the older members who came in under the old constitution to help them transition to the new constitution.

Normally, when the constitutions change, you are not grandfathered in. You do as the community does and you go in the same direction as everyone else, because you must obey the new constitutions.

The SOLT leadership seems to be going out of its way to help these men transition. Other orders did not do this. Other religious orders lost thousands… Oh well . . . if you can’t obey, you don’t have a vocation. That was the conclusion. If it was a layman who did not want to remain in one of our parishes, schools or colleges, oh well, there are many other parishes, schools and colleges out there.

No community has an obligation to deny its mission and charism to make someone happy.

Fr. Corapi has said he has had issues or problems in communities in the past. Was no one taking notice? Did he keep his past a secret?

His past was no secret. He told it on TV and in many other places. Obviously, they were taking notice. Superiors keep files on their members. Issues are recorded. If they pass, no one pays attention. It’s blown off as an isolated event. If they continue to build up, then the red flags go up.

His series on the Catechism is wonderful and when I see pictures of him earlier in his ministry he looked so happy and fulfilled. Somehow he seems to have gotten off track and for that there seems to be plenty of blame to go around. Though blame does no good at all.

He did wonderful work. We must separate the message from the messenger.

Is there blame? Yes. But hindsight is always 20/20, isn’t it?

The laity can help or hurt. It’s their choice. They can help by a show of respect to the superior and to the community that is part of Catholic tradition. They can help by remembering that Father has rights, forget about law suits. The Church does not care about the US Constitution. The Church is bigger and older than the USA. We’re talking about ecclesial rights. We have to keep that in mind and hope that he will make use of them, if he feels that he can do so. Finally, we have to refrain from pointing fingers and trying to speculate. That turns into gossip.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[jwinch2]

Here is what bothers me. SOLT let Fr. Corapi live away from community. Did they not know his history?

Fr. Corapi has said he has had issues or problems in communities in the past. Was no one taking notice? Did he keep his past a secret?

It is my understanding that when Father C. first came into SOLT they did not have a mother house where they lived as a community. I don’t know why they let him go all the way to Montana and would not want to speculate. It is also my understanding that when SOLT did get a mother house and restructured their constitution, there were efforts made to get Father C. to come back to live with them which were unsuccessful.

I pray for Fr. Corapi everyday. Guess I should add SOLT to that as well.

Both are certainly worthy of prayer. My guess is that SOLT is hurting a great deal as a group with all of this going on. You have a young group to begin with and it is my understanding based on earlier comments in the thread that they were in the process of changing the nature of their society to an order but need approval to do so (I don’t pretend to understand that process). If that is the case, and this situation disrupts their plans which I am sure they were all looking forward to a great deal, it would be very sad. Combine that with having one of their priests as part of the abuse scandal and I am sure it has been a very hard time for them.

 

[guanophore]

Maybe it’s just me but I don’t agree about this “litigious frame of mind” at all. Fr. Corapi has to do what’s necessary to clear his name in a civil court (where his original accuser will have to defend the charge of defamation and libel). I also happen to think that Fr. Corapi is truly a faithful son of the church and that he won’t even consider suing SOLT or the church. I’m not saying whether Fr. Corapi is or not guilty as charged. I say wait for more info to come forward before “throwing (him) under the bus” so quickly and judgmentally.

Nothing he can do in civil court will ever clear his name with the Church. If he were a faithful son, he would submit to the orders of his superiors. They directed him to withdrawe the suit, divest himself off his luxury items, and live in community. So long as he refuses this, he will never be “cleared”. If her allegations are spurious, all the more reason to suffer through the calumny in contemplative prayer.

1 Cor 6:7-8
7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud, and that even your own brethren.

The horrible statements he has made about his accuser are just as disturbing as filing a lawsuit against her.

 

[jwinch2]

He has the right to appeal in an ecclesiastical tribunal. He does not have the right to sue his community. We may never do that. That would be the kiss of death for a number of theological and ecclesial reasons:

I do not want him to do so, and I do not doubt your description of it being a kiss of death. My point is that, based on my understanding of the situation, if he feels that the situation is unfair he has two options to handle it: 1) appealing within the Church; and 2) suing for defamation outside of the Church. The fact that he has not done either, combined with his willingness to level lawsuits in the past, causes me to consider the possibility that he does not feel he could win either the appeal or a lawsuit.

Obviously, one cannot imply guilt from that alone, but I would be lying if I said that it did not raise a red flag for me.

Thanks for the insight as always!

Jason

 

[bo_leggs]

I have a brother who is an alcohol and drug addict, and another brother just an alcoholic, so I know how hard it is to really kick the habit. There is always that silent voice in the back of your head calling to you.

But, when I first heard the report of the accusations against Fr. Corapi, I prayed so hard and so long, many rosaries too, because I just couldn’t believe it. But I heard Jimmy Akin on Catholic Answers Live on EWTN Radio confirming many of the accusations after his own inquiry it just made me sick, literally. It just blew me away totally. But I continue to pray for him, it’s all we can do. I pray that he will admit his wrongs in confession, and be obedient (as he promised) and return to SOLT as ordered. I just pray that he will do the right thing. He is too good a Catholic apologist to lose. Please join me in praying for him.

 

[RevDrNorth]

I have a brother who is an alcohol and drug addict, and another brother just an alcoholic, so I know how hard it is to really kick the habit. There is always that silent voice in the back of your head calling to you.

But, when I first heard the report of the accusations against Fr. Corapi, I prayed so hard and so long, many rosaries too, because I just couldn’t believe it. But I heard Jimmy Akin on Catholic Answers Live on EWTN Radio confirming many of the accusations after his own inquiry it just made me sick, literally. It just blew me away totally. But I continue to pray for him, it’s all we can do. I pray that he will admit his wrongs in confession, and be obedient (as he promised) and return to SOLT as ordered. I just pray that he will do the right thing. He is too good a Catholic apologist to lose. Please join me in praying for him.

In addition to that, he may be making a miscalculation if he thinks he will just strike out on his own for fame and fortune. His niche market was among Catholics. The vast majority of Protestants have no clue who he is, so to be starting to try to reach out to them at 60 plus and with the baggage of the SOLT findings of impropriety (sexual and drugs/alcohol) this may be a tad difficult.

He is gifted. He would have done better to repent and move on in the RC. I liked Fr. Corapi and it certainly is possible that SOLT messed up but I find it improbable they would go public with these findings and claims of e-mails and so on knowing they could be forced to go public in court with them were they not accurate (to the best of their knowledge).

Just keep praying for Fr. Corapi.

 

[Veridical16]

You know, I’ve been thinking about how Fr. Corapi never had an interest in being incardinated into the St. Helena diocese to help out with the occasional need for a fill-in priest for those odd or rare times he was home.

It brings to mind many Masses we attended where some very elderly priest or monsignor was pulled in to sub. on some emergency, as when the priest’s Mom died, or he had a medical emergency of his own. The parish did everything it could to find any other priest, but this poor old guy was the only one available,** and he was willing.**

We suffered through portions of the Mass missing, or even repeated, or out of order, or read off a different day if the pages stuck, and the extraordinary ministers doing the bulk of the distribution of host. Sometimes they had to sit when standing would have been the norm. But my husband and I were always touched by the commitment and determination to serve the people that these elderly and often ailing men made to be shlepped out to the Church, and give their best. It really struck home the message that confecting the Eucharist for us was THAT IMPORTANT.

They were perfectly aware that a communion service was still OK, and they could have confected a bunch of hosts at home if necessary if the parish didn’t have enough on hand, no? But at great effort, and pain, and discomfort, and even embarrassment over their condition, these men came and turned bread and wine into the body and blood. Usually for a parish full of strangers, some of whom would no doubt complain about the doddering “old fool” sent to celebrate Mass. I always gave them a warm handshake or hug as we exited the Church, but now I wish I had kissed their hands as some other cultures do.

What a glorious miracle are our clergy who work day in and day out in the trenches, and many never, ever stop giving, serving and praying.

Thanks Sojo.

sounds like wonderful elderly priests, doing all those little efforts for the sake of the parish.

*~" Those who are of humble disposition, willingly perform humble tasks." *

Here’s another example:

The family was very religious and, from early on, it was assumed that Fulton was destined for
the priesthood. Having gone through primary and secondary schools, he entered a seminary in St Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained in 1919, and went on to the Catholic University of America for post-graduate studies. He left this university having been conferred with a doctorate in philosophy, and went to the famous university in Louvain in Belgium for further study. Here, he again graduated with a doctorate in philosophy and was given the opportunity to study for the highest degree available in the university, which he passed with distinction. He was ready for further study, but his bishop was afraid that such success might make the young priest proud. He called him home and sent him to minister as a curate in a run-down parish in Peoria.

Sheen began his theological studies at St. Viator and completed his work at St. Paul Seminary in Minnesota. On September 20, 1919, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Peoria.

Rather than assign him pastoral duties immediately, Bishop Edmund M. Dunne sent him to Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. to earn his S.T.L. and J.C.B. degrees. Sheen pursued further postgraduate work in philosophy at the University of Louvain in Belgium, and earned his Ph.D. in 1923. After spending a year in Rome studying at both the Angelicum and Gregorian Universities, he returned to Louvain and in 1925 was the first American to receive the very prestigious agrege degree.

Returning to the United States, Sheen, who had teaching offers from both Columbia University and Oxford, assumed he would be transferred to one of these prestigious universities, but Bishop Dunne had other ideas. He requested that Sheen return to Peoria to begin pastoral work as an assistant pastor at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, a small, poor parish on the southern outskirts of Peoria. After a year, Bishop Dunne admitted he had wanted to see if Father Sheen was obedient and allowed him to transfer to the Catholic University as a member of the faculty.
An excellent teacher, Sheen spent 25 years on the faculty of Catholic University of America. He spent six hours preparing for each hour of lecture and as a result, he was extremely popular among his students.

thedefender.org/Bishop%20Sheen.html

pioneerassociation.ie/pioneer-magazine/117-fultonsheen

 

[guanophore]

So he is paying witnesses to remain silent so that they would not speak to the SOLT investigators?

Yes.

If he is wanting to clear his name, he is not off to a winning start with that strategy.

Seems that way.

His own Order has declared him guilty.

I have seen no such declaration. what makes you think this is true?

Both his own Order and the Bishop of Corpus Christi have found him unfit for priestly ministry.

Yes. But that might have as much to do with his refusal to cooperate as any allegations.

He has chosen to walk away and assume a new persona as The Black Sheep Dog.  The only one throwing Fr. Corapi "under the bus" is Fr. Corapi himself, by his own words and actions.  Most recently, by posting that outrageous countdown clock to his "new life".

Very sad.

His Order, SOLT, has declared him guilty in their statement issued July 5, 2011. Both his own Order and the Bishop of Corpus Christi have declared him unfit for priestly ministry and have suspended him.

Being unfit for ministry can result from other things besides guilt. They may believe he has relapsed, and needs treatment.

 

[RevDrNorth]

Yes.

Being unfit for ministry can result from other things besides guilt. They may believe he has relapsed, and needs treatment.

True. SOLT states he is guilty of the following (from article posted elsewhere here):

*The order said its three-member fact-finding team had gathered information “from Father Corapi’s emails, various witnesses and public sources” and had concluded that the priest:

• “Did have sexual relations and years of cohabitation (in California and Montana) with a woman known to him, when the relationship began, as a prostitute.”

• “Repeatedly abused alcohol and drugs.”

• “Has recently engaged in sexting activity with one or more women in Montana.”

• “Holds legal title to over $1 million in real estate, numerous luxury vehicles, motorcycles, an ATV, a boat dock and several motor boats, which is a serious violation of his promise of poverty as a perpetually professed member of this society.”

Although he did not name them, Father Sheehan said the fact-finding team was made up of a priest specializing in canon law, a psychiatrist and a lawyer, each of whom has a national reputation and “substantial experience in ecclesiastical processes related to priest disciplinary issues.”*

Maybe he relapsed but if so then now is the time for repentance and humility. Maybe he will marry the woman (not sure if he loves her) and get therapy for addiction and other issues. Sad. It is so strange when you see such gifted people deal with issues that bring them down.