Fr John Corapi has Announced in a Video Message that he is Leaving the Priesthood
- Status
R
Robert_Bay
Guest
I am going to recind the ban on discussions about John Corapi.
CAF rules on charitable posts still apply. Members will be given infractions or suspended if they cannot or will not post charitably.
Please note:
Gossip and innuendo, disrespect toward clergy and religious, and speculating about what did or did not happen are not part of the mission of this apostolate. This apostolate exists to communicate the Catholic Faith, to provide people with a safe environment where they can learn from each other and enjoy themselves while discussing the faith.
CAF rules on charitable posts still apply. Members will be given infractions or suspended if they cannot or will not post charitably.
Please note:
Gossip and innuendo, disrespect toward clergy and religious, and speculating about what did or did not happen are not part of the mission of this apostolate. This apostolate exists to communicate the Catholic Faith, to provide people with a safe environment where they can learn from each other and enjoy themselves while discussing the faith.
M
markomalley
Guest
I would refer everybody to this National Catholic Register article. It contains quotes from his superior, a representative of the Diocese of Helena MT (where he is physically located) and the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
In addition, please note that Fr. Corapi filed a trademark application for “The Black-Sheep Dog” back in April of 2010. Here are two pertinent screenshots from the US Patent and Trademark Office database:
http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/471/4952789551.png
http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/471/8467889998.png
I am not attributing any bad motives with the above…it just is curious that he would file for that trademark over a year ago and announce it the day before priestly ordinations.
In addition, please note that Fr. Corapi filed a trademark application for “The Black-Sheep Dog” back in April of 2010. Here are two pertinent screenshots from the US Patent and Trademark Office database:
http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/471/4952789551.png
http://easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/471/8467889998.png
I am not attributing any bad motives with the above…it just is curious that he would file for that trademark over a year ago and announce it the day before priestly ordinations.
J
Joe_5859
Guest
I don’t think I was quite expecting that to be the outcome. I’m not a fan of the “Black Sheep Dog” moniker.
D
Dale_M
Guest
Fr. Z (Fr. John Zuhlsdorf) posted an insightful reflection on his blog. He doesn’t have any special knowledge of Fr. Corapi’s case but he does have a sense of the larger picture. The blog post is worth the time it takes to read.
wdtprs.com/blog/2011/06/about-fr-john-corapi-with-observations-about-our-times/
wdtprs.com/blog/2011/06/about-fr-john-corapi-with-observations-about-our-times/
Mary_Gail_36
New member
I was actually just going to post the above article from NCR.
Here’s a quote, although the entire article is informative:
Here’s a quote, although the entire article is informative:
My personal preference (not that it matters) would be for him to take the invitation to live in commuity.
R
rlg94086
Guest
From the NCR article:
He expressed disappointment that Father Corapi chose not to remain in SOLT and to refuse the order’s invitation for him to live in community, leaving his Montana home. Father Sheehan said he had tried to arrange a meeting with Father Corapi before any final decision was announced, but had not heard back from him. Father Sheehan said that SOLT would issue a statement shortly.
“We wanted him to come back to the community, and that would have meant leaving everything he has. It would have been a drastic change for him,” Father Sheehan said. “We will continue to move pastorally and charitably, taking steps to protect his good name.”
I wish he had left his Montana home and lived in community. Even if he had only done it for a little while, it may have refocused his attention towards Our Lord.
He expressed disappointment that Father Corapi chose not to remain in SOLT and to refuse the order’s invitation for him to live in community, leaving his Montana home. Father Sheehan said he had tried to arrange a meeting with Father Corapi before any final decision was announced, but had not heard back from him. Father Sheehan said that SOLT would issue a statement shortly.
“We wanted him to come back to the community, and that would have meant leaving everything he has. It would have been a drastic change for him,” Father Sheehan said. “We will continue to move pastorally and charitably, taking steps to protect his good name.”
I wish he had left his Montana home and lived in community. Even if he had only done it for a little while, it may have refocused his attention towards Our Lord.
M
markomalley
Guest
I would refer everybody to this National Catholic Register article. It contains quotes from his superior, a representative of the Diocese of Helena MT (where he is physically located) and the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
In addition, please note that Fr. Corapi filed a trademark application for “The Black-Sheep Dog” back in April of 2010. Here are two pertinent screenshots from the US Patent and Trademark Office database:
(the images below are thumbnails. To see the full size image, click on the corresponding thumbnail below)
img802.imageshack.us/img802/2843/11112.jpg
img30.imageshack.us/img30/9431/11113.jpg
I am not attributing any bad motives with the above…it just is curious that he would file for that trademark over a year ago and announce it the day before priestly ordinations.
In addition, please note that Fr. Corapi filed a trademark application for “The Black-Sheep Dog” back in April of 2010. Here are two pertinent screenshots from the US Patent and Trademark Office database:
(the images below are thumbnails. To see the full size image, click on the corresponding thumbnail below)
img802.imageshack.us/img802/2843/11112.jpg
img30.imageshack.us/img30/9431/11113.jpg
I am not attributing any bad motives with the above…it just is curious that he would file for that trademark over a year ago and announce it the day before priestly ordinations.
M
Marie5890
Guest
(Robert, thanks for lifting the ban. I think it’s an important to be able to discuss what has happened, yet I too can understand the need for CAF to keep clear parameters in which a discussion should be maintained. Thanks again. )
Mary_Gail_36
New member
Hopefully, it’s just an innocuous move to safeguard the title of his autobiography.
P
PiousTemplar
Guest
Is he allowed to do that?
A
ac_claire
Guest
Is he allowed to do what? Leave the priesthood? Yeah. His “fans” on Facebook are going crazy, btw. There are people calling the bishops of the Church “wolves” that Father must protest us from and saying that they will follow him out of the Church if it comes to that. This is the most disturbing part of it all for me. I wish he would make a statement to those people on his Facebook page. 
K
kitkatty
Guest
Well as they say the plot thickens. Of all the outcomes of this tragic mess I would never have thought of this one. Leaving off entirley the matter of Father
He made some good points about the whole process of these accusations being stacked entirly against the priests and I agree with these points but to leave the priesthood?This is a sacred vow, that is really upsetting. And I might not be understanding of everything here but would all the points in the Dallas chartedr apply here since the situation did not involve a minor?
Just too bad it all turned out like this, prayers for Fr. Corapi.
s guilt or innocence the two things that strike me most with this latest development are now the investigation will be ended and I think given the popularity of Fathers ministry those results were important to be made public. Now there won`t ever really be any closure to those accusations. The other thing is Father leaving the priesthood, now this is the most upsetting to me. I think of two virtues here , obedience and humility.He made some good points about the whole process of these accusations being stacked entirly against the priests and I agree with these points but to leave the priesthood?This is a sacred vow, that is really upsetting. And I might not be understanding of everything here but would all the points in the Dallas chartedr apply here since the situation did not involve a minor?
Just too bad it all turned out like this, prayers for Fr. Corapi.
S
smichhertz
Guest
In my own humble opinion, I think he’s making a mistake. Not that I necessarily agree with how the bishops have handled this situation, but he had a wonderful opportunity to practice the humble virtue of obedience.
However, just my two cents. And I’ll be the first to admit, I haven’t followed this story all that closely.
However, just my two cents. And I’ll be the first to admit, I haven’t followed this story all that closely.
S
Sailor_Kenshin
Guest
All we really ‘know’ at this point is that something unusual is going on.
None of this changes any of his previous messages. They were instrumental in bringing me to the Church, and this year I really missed hearing his lectures on the Easter Triduum.
None of this changes any of his previous messages. They were instrumental in bringing me to the Church, and this year I really missed hearing his lectures on the Easter Triduum.
E
Elizabeth502
Guest
I believe that he is being scapegoated for others’ crimes and failings that were not prosecuted when those should have been addressed, prosecuted, etc. I think he probably believes so, too. I did appreciate the far more revelatory info provided by NCR than the portions of info & speculation provided elsewhere.
There’s a sequence here. And for those of you who have truly listened to him for a long period of time, the sequence is logical. This is a very independent man, a man of principle, and a man acquainted with the world. That doesn’t make him bad. It makes him a different kind of priest, but i.m.o. legitimately so. I appreciate completely, as one being thoroughly grounded in the tradition of religious orders, the comments below the article on his supposed “pride” et al. But independence is not necessarily sinful or faulty pride. I’m speaking now of his ‘apart’ lifestyle. He cannot be faulted for that. As the article and comments note, his decision to live outside of community occurred, and were approved, prior to the new SOLT Constitution. Now, as one who understands that by definition religious life is communal life, I also think that it was probably recognized by his superiors early on that the (previous) option to live apart was the best way, for this priest, to make his priesthood effective.
I don’t know about the whole ‘blacksheepdog’ thing. I don’t have a strong negative reaction to it, although I do understand why others would; I also don’t have a positive reaction to it. Again, though, picking up on his ‘persona’ through his many lectures, it is another logical development. He has somewhat presented himself, earlier on, as “rogue” or “renegade” or “singular” or “unusual” (my words, not his, and not the best words!) and not in a disobedient or dissenting way, but in an idiosyncratic way, and in a disapproving way when it comes to ignored scandal, ignored dissent, ignored lack of leadership within the Church.
I don’t think he’s being unfaithful. I think he is responding in his own way to his desire to be hyper-faithful as he understands that fidelity to all the core teachings of the Church, and, given his lack of opportunity to do that right now in the way that he has been able to do that optimally, has decided to leave. Again, judging from his personality, this is all logical, and he’s a logical guy. I think that if there’s an outcry from the faithful about this (in his support), it just may help to improve the investigative process for other priests, now & later, and perhaps that was one of his intentions in taking this action.
Again, I understand about community and religious life, but perhaps the Church might want to take a look at valid varieties of ministerial priesthood. His independence is a contra-indicator even for diocesan life. He has as much admitted that himself. (“I do not have a calling to parish ministry.”) It can also be argued that he has reached, and converted, and reverted, thousands more to Catholicism, as a lone preacher, than he ever would have in a parish or in communal religious life. As an itinerant preacher, he has done enormous good for the conversion of sinners and has done so in communion with the magisterium. There are itinerant preacher Orders (such as the Fathers of Mercy), yes, but I do think on the occasional and rare basis in which a Fr. John Corapi comes along, the Church might consider that there’s a third way other than community or diocesan lifestyle.
Unlike many others on CAF and elsewhere, I am not scandalized by his decision. I have not lost an ounce of respect for him. And I will keep him just as much in my prayers, probably more so.
There’s a sequence here. And for those of you who have truly listened to him for a long period of time, the sequence is logical. This is a very independent man, a man of principle, and a man acquainted with the world. That doesn’t make him bad. It makes him a different kind of priest, but i.m.o. legitimately so. I appreciate completely, as one being thoroughly grounded in the tradition of religious orders, the comments below the article on his supposed “pride” et al. But independence is not necessarily sinful or faulty pride. I’m speaking now of his ‘apart’ lifestyle. He cannot be faulted for that. As the article and comments note, his decision to live outside of community occurred, and were approved, prior to the new SOLT Constitution. Now, as one who understands that by definition religious life is communal life, I also think that it was probably recognized by his superiors early on that the (previous) option to live apart was the best way, for this priest, to make his priesthood effective.
I don’t know about the whole ‘blacksheepdog’ thing. I don’t have a strong negative reaction to it, although I do understand why others would; I also don’t have a positive reaction to it. Again, though, picking up on his ‘persona’ through his many lectures, it is another logical development. He has somewhat presented himself, earlier on, as “rogue” or “renegade” or “singular” or “unusual” (my words, not his, and not the best words!) and not in a disobedient or dissenting way, but in an idiosyncratic way, and in a disapproving way when it comes to ignored scandal, ignored dissent, ignored lack of leadership within the Church.
I don’t think he’s being unfaithful. I think he is responding in his own way to his desire to be hyper-faithful as he understands that fidelity to all the core teachings of the Church, and, given his lack of opportunity to do that right now in the way that he has been able to do that optimally, has decided to leave. Again, judging from his personality, this is all logical, and he’s a logical guy. I think that if there’s an outcry from the faithful about this (in his support), it just may help to improve the investigative process for other priests, now & later, and perhaps that was one of his intentions in taking this action.
Again, I understand about community and religious life, but perhaps the Church might want to take a look at valid varieties of ministerial priesthood. His independence is a contra-indicator even for diocesan life. He has as much admitted that himself. (“I do not have a calling to parish ministry.”) It can also be argued that he has reached, and converted, and reverted, thousands more to Catholicism, as a lone preacher, than he ever would have in a parish or in communal religious life. As an itinerant preacher, he has done enormous good for the conversion of sinners and has done so in communion with the magisterium. There are itinerant preacher Orders (such as the Fathers of Mercy), yes, but I do think on the occasional and rare basis in which a Fr. John Corapi comes along, the Church might consider that there’s a third way other than community or diocesan lifestyle.
Unlike many others on CAF and elsewhere, I am not scandalized by his decision. I have not lost an ounce of respect for him. And I will keep him just as much in my prayers, probably more so.
M
markomalley
Guest
Possibly. But written works are typically protected by copyright, not trademark. Trademark would be appropriate if one intended to market products (hats, t-shirts, etc)
Father apparently understands this, as he has the following copyrights (click on the thumbnail below to view a full-sized image):
easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/471/thumbs/7037823818_m.jpg
Santa Cruz Media has the following copyrights, as well:
easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/471/thumbs/0513816223_m.jpg
While if you take a look at this trademark (different than the one uploaded above, but the same dates), you will see that “Black-Sheep Dog” also refers to “Educational and entertainment services, namely, providing educational seminars in the field of religion”
easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/471/thumbs/3044860465_m.jpg
And this one refers to “Audio and video recordings on computer media, CDs, DVDs, downloadable files, webcasts, and podcasts in the field of religion” – again, filed on 8 April 2010 (over a year ago and almost a year before his “incident”):
easycaptures.com/fs/uploaded/471/thumbs/0454720144_m.jpg
Not attributing motive to his actions, but whatever the motive, there is no way in the world that this was not planned.
J
Joe_5859
Guest
Well, once ordained a priest, one is a priest forever (as it imparts an indellible mark upon the soul). However, priests can leave active ministry and even be laicized. It is certainly not desirable for priests to do so, but it happens. We shouldn’t presume anything negative about a man based upon that alone.
K
kitkatty
Guest
Something unusual is going on, I call it something weird. If people are saying they will leave the Church to follow Fr.Corapi if necessary then that is a very dangerous thing. To me then it would be considered a cult following and I am NOT saying Father means it that way but there are certain types of personalities just might do this. Christ and His Church is what we always follow no matter what, not Fr, Corapi, or Father anyone else. He has a very grave responsibility at this point to be very careful here in what and how he states things. Some bishops may very well be “out to get him”, I don
t know and am not judging Father of the Bishops here, I just dont know and neither does anyone else posting here. The better part for him, imho, would have been to submit humbly and obediently to authority, even if the judgement of that authority was flawed.The truth will always win out. Yes, it may have taken many years but we have the example of many saints who were persecuted from within to give testimony and example. I am just sorry the Fr. Corapi thing has taken this turn.
W
whipp711
Guest
As an avid listener of Father Corapi, I was truly hoping that the truth would come out, and he would be cleared of the accusations. Alas, he’s taken a path that will not clear or condemn him. I am truly disheartened by the outcome.
I am conflicted on continuing to listen to him, or marginalize him as a materialistic television preacher. I just don’t know. Maybe time will tell.
I am conflicted on continuing to listen to him, or marginalize him as a materialistic television preacher. I just don’t know. Maybe time will tell.
- Status