Fr John Corapi has Announced in a Video Message that he is Leaving the Priesthood

[guanophore]

One of my friends is a priest who was falsely accused of “improper conduct”. His father is also a good friend of mine.

The priest-friend had to sit around his parents’ house, going crazy with worry? … with uncertainty? … with absolutely no news, no information, no communication with the chancery office.

They all knew the accusations were false. They were not only false and from a location where he had never been, but they were anonymous accusations, as well. Anti-catholic lawyers even said the accusations were false.

Anyway, after hanging by his thumbs and twisting in the wind, he got a simple phone call to go back to work.

No explanations. Nothing. No trial. No hearings. No questions. No insight into the investigation.

Just, “go back to work”.

How long was he just sitting doing nothing?

Two years.

I think sabbaticals are important but wow! I think Corapi knows this is how it may go, and believes that his time is short and there is a lot for him to do in what is left of it. He is not willing to be sidelined for that long.

 

[guanophore]

Difference being that Paul demanded his rights as a Roman citizen against the local, civil court. Corapi is demanding his civil rights above his duty to the church. This is the point that bothers me the most. That he could not set aside his right to sue someone until after the church investigation was over.

How is he demanding his civil rights “above his duty to the Church”. Since when does the Church require her members to abdicate their civil rights?

As far as I can tell, the purpose of the non-disclosure agreement was to retrain her from doing exactly what she did in filing the complaint. She told everyone that she was going to try to “ruin” him. His attorney advised him that the lawsuit was the most prudent course of action.

If the procedures being used by the ecclesial authorities are flawed, and plenty of knowledgeable people have said they are, then he is not protected against any defamation or spurious accusations. What if the whole thinIg boils down to his word against hers? I don’t think his bishop could restore his faculties.

I don’t know what his attorneys requested, but if they have advised him to to proceed with the process until their questions are answered, then he has decided to follow their advice. He is not an attorney, so he needs to yield to their greater expertise in the matter. The Church does not require that her members not follow the advice of their attorneys. Especially canon law attorneys.

 

[guanophore]

That's what we agree to abide by when we either enter a seminary and become deacons or priests or when we enter a religious order and make vows.  Our lives are not our own.

Certainly Corapi has obligations as a priest, but people seem to be judging him for abandoning vows that he has never taken. The SOLT is not a religious order, but a soceity of apostolic life of diocesan right. People take vows but it is not like being part of a religious order. That is why the members are free to own property. A society like this can have priests, religious, or laypersons. Sometimes married couples are members. They tend to be mobile, and since they may travel around the world, they may not ever actually reside in the diocese that houses the community.

 The most charitable thing to do is to let Father and the Church figure out what he's doing next and stop giving too many opinions.  Too many opinions can often lead to speculation and gossip.  We don't want to go there.

This is wise.

 

[rayne89]

We song this song at Mass today.

O thou, who at thy Eucharist didst pray
that all thy Church might be for ever one,
grant us at every Eucharist to say
with longing heart and soul, “thy will be done.”
O may we all one Bread, one Body be,
through this blest Sacrament of unity.

For all thy Church, O Lord, we intercede;
make thou our sad divisions soon to cease;
draw us the nearer each to each, we plead,
by drawing all to thee, O Prince of Peace;
thus may we all one Bread, one Body be,
through this blest Sacrament of unity.

We pray thee too for wanderers from thy fold;
O bring them back, good Shepherd of the sheep,
back to the faith which saints believed of old,
back to the Church which still that faith doth keep;
soon may we all one Bread, one Body be,
through this blest Sacrament of unity.

So, Lord, at length when sacraments shall cease,
may we be one with all thy Church above,
one with thy saints in one unbroken peace,
one with thy saints in one unbounded love;
more blessèd still, in peace and love to be
one with the Trinity in Unity.

I thought of John Corapi and this thread.

 

[Guanovore]

guanophore:
Yes, of course! But then, that was His purpose. Fr. Corapi is not here to die for our sins. Jesus already did that!

**This carries the same weight of “Corapi does not need to exercise self-restraint! Jesus already did that!” Man relates to the sacrifice on Golgatha is made eternal through the sacrifice of the mass and the more profane sacrifices offered to Him (ex: our daily struggles).

Considering that Corapi (1) apparently is walking away from the ministerial priesthood, and (2) reacting to the scandal in a ‘gloves-off’ litigious (i.e., this scandal is riddled with law suits, some of which undeniably originated in Corapi’s camp) fashion, would you actually claim that his reaction reflects Christ-crucified or the theology of Calvary? The very best defense people can give for his handling of this critical moment in his life is the emotional, psychological “walk a mile in his/her shoes”–something often said of Lindsey Lohan and other scandal-beaten celebrities.

Probably not. Therefore, no amount of sophistry can evade the point Abba is correctly making here.**

Clearly from his own messages, Corapi feels that his mission is not completed, and that silencing himself is equivalent to “lie down and die”. So it seems clear to me that he continues to be passionately committed to his mission.

**Ah, his ‘mission.’ Which is what, again? Saying things in a remarkably deep voice or being a minister of God?

It would be very telling if we could contrast the promises and/or vows made on his ordination 20 years ago, and his present utterances regarding the priesthood.

Let’s be perfectly frank: this man is not ‘laying down and dying’–this is what my sister used to say when she was 16yo and raising a fit about not being able to see her boyfriend!**

He does not want to resign from the priesthood. This is what he has said. I see no reason not to take it at face value.

This is ambiguous at best, given the morass of statement’s he’s made on the topic.

He can no longer function publicly as a priest. This was the decision of his bishop, and he has accepted it, and decided to “move on”.

What does this ‘moving on’ consist of?

Perhaps you have not listened to his preaching? Of course there is no prophet like Paul (he was a one and only) but Corapi has a gift, and has exercised it to the best of his ability for 20 years. He has produced some marvellous fruit. Even if the Catechism was the only thing he had done, the contribution to our generation is massive.

The form or the content?

I think you misunderstood. He was emphasizing “I AM LISTENING”. He got a great deal of chastizement after his announcement, heard the admonitions of the faithful, and reversed his course. He realized it was not right to publish any more audio of his accuser. I thank God he is listening! I am very grateful he accepted this admonishment and repented of his plan. I see the HS at work in that. I thought the reference to Moses was a little strange, but I understand the point he was making is that the battle will be lost if he does not allow others to help him hold up his arms. This is very true. He needs support and humility right now. That is how the people helped Moses. When his arms got tired, they held them up so that the battle would not be lost. I can see how the reference might be taken as arrogant, though. People might think he sees himself as a “Moses”.

I’m certain that his decision took into account more than the [rightly] outraged responses of the Corapites, don’t you? Or has Corapi’s internal forum become a total democracy of his paying subscribers? The simple fact that he was on the verge of resorting to humiliating someone tells volumes about this man.

I am sorry, Abba, you lost me here. I do not understand what you are trying to say.

I think it is a mistake for human beings to “blindly follow” anyone. I often engage in debates with my separated brethren here on CAF who believe Catholics “blindly follow the Church”.

**Do you seriously consider the breadth and volume of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church–with its polycentric, multiple tiers of organization making it a ludicrous and schizophrenic if not impossible thing to blindly follow–to be comparable to a single televangelist? **

I find it an offensive accusation, as I have had to think, study, pray, and work out my understanding of the faith. None of it is “blind” for me.

Yes, and all you have to do with Corapi is listen and pay.

If there are people “blindly following” Corapi, then maybe this whole thing is for the greater good, since such a situation is not good for them, or for him.

Yes.

---

Yes. I do too.

 

[Guanovore]

markshea.blogspot.com/2011/06/gaping-hole-in-fr-corapis-story.html

To the Corapites, I pose a question:

Well, I’m new to the Catholic scene and as a former veteran, I would like to know: did Corapi really lie about his Special Forces service? Or was this also part of his mission?

 

[Guanovore]

I don’t think it is at all necessary to take sides. He has been clear that he does not want an “adversarial” relationship with the authorities, even though he does not agree with the process. He has urged people to obey the bishop.

**He only made a very disturbing, creepy video with allusions to the bishops and ecclesiastical superiors as wolves? Yes, he’s explicitly urged people to obey the bishop… with footage of a pack of ravenous wolves reflecting in the eye of a ‘blacksheepdog’ or whatever made-up animal it is.

No, sorry, I don’t see how this is avoiding an ‘adversarial’ relationship.**

Maybe he does have a problem with respect and obedience.

Yeah?

I am sure there are many character flaws that he must struggle with daily as we all do.

Oh yes!

His expressions seemed angry, frustrated, and betrayed.

Yeah.

I think a lot has happened that we don’t know about, and will never know about.

As with anyone.

When he refers to “the last few years”, it seems like calumny of this kind has been going on for some time, and his feeling of being unsupported in his apostolate as well.

So do professors, military officers (ones who actually served), parish priests, managers, and construction foremen all across the country. Responsibility is tough, especially when you’re handling it in a slipshod way.

 

[Guanovore]

How is he demanding his civil rights “above his duty to the Church”. Since when does the Church require her members to abdicate their civil rights?

**Quite often, in fact. Do you think the (3) Evangelical vows can be lived without forfeiting some degree of one’s civil rights? Or, for instance, the famous Fourth Vow of the Society of Jesus? All of these technically infringe on one’s civil rights.

The Church, of course, doesn’t compel Her members to adhere to these standards–however, She does** compel them to adhere to these standards so long as the Catholic would maintain a certain position within the Church (ex: priest, Jesuit priest, &c.).

As far as I can tell, the purpose of the non-disclosure agreement was to retrain her from doing exactly what she did in filing the complaint. She told everyone that she was going to try to “ruin” him. His attorney advised him that the lawsuit was the most prudent course of action.

If the procedures being used by the ecclesial authorities are flawed, and plenty of knowledgeable people have said they are,

Citations, please.

then he is not protected against any defamation or spurious accusations.

What if the whole thinIg boils down to his word against hers? I don’t think his bishop could restore his faculties.

**Given that half of the allegation is drug-related, and Corapi has already agreed to a drug test, it would probably severely impugn her credibility if this charge was proven inaccurate. Of course, its within Corapi’s civil rights to refuse a drug test… **

I don’t know what his attorneys requested, but if they have advised him to to proceed with the process until their questions are answered, then he has decided to follow their advice. He is not an attorney, so he needs to yield to their greater expertise in the matter. The Church does not require that her members not follow the advice of their attorneys. Especially canon law attorneys.

Why especially canonists?

 

[Guanovore]

Everytime I see a minister accused and convicted of something, I consider this ‘good Catholic’ news, because this dangerous individual is being taken out of a position in which he might’ve done considerable harm. Try to see the glass is half-full.

 

[Guanovore]

I also feel uncomfortable not knowing all the facts, the bishops know more than we do and to tell us, is not becoming or ethical. It’s too easy to say he’s guilty or they are guilty, but I will hold my opinion for now. This way though, he made it so it will always be in limbo.
I also am ashamed that he would even think of putting audio tapes online of the mystery woman, if he did that, it would really hurt him if he decided to pursue a court case. He is defaming someone that hasn’t said one thing to anyone outside of the proper channels, hasn’t said she has confidential findings, things like that. I hope any more bashing goes on between lawyers and not on the net.

I fully 100% trust Corapi’s judgment in appointing this ‘mystery woman.’ If he thought she was suitable for this position, I trust him.

 

[Elizabeth502]

markshea.blogspot.com/2011/06/gaping-hole-in-fr-corapis-story.html

To the Corapites, I pose a question:

Well, I’m new to the Catholic scene and as a former veteran, I would like to know: did Corapi really lie about his Special Forces service? Or was this also part of his mission?

I don’t know what you mean by a “'Corapite,” but I will tell you that I answered your question, on this very thread. Please search.

 

[Guanovore]

I don’t know what you mean by a “'Corapite,” but I will tell you that I answered your question, on this very thread. Please search.

If by ‘answered’ you mean:

Post-script on all the speculation about his military background. I have heard him specifically say, “It wasn’t the Special Forces,” and also, “It wasn’t the Green Berets,” and in the next breath say, “but in some ways it was a lot like [those].” I took him to mean that he was at least at one point, at one moment in time, in a unit with some specially demanding training and/or possible mission (with training for that potential mission, in anticipation). It could have been short-lived. It could have been merely a back-up unit. It also could have been that he was being considered for GB or SF at one point. But had he gone off to dwell on personal details, his listeners would have lost the message.

I.m.o. he was not trying to be deceptive, but to provide a narrative frame, so that the listeners could relate to the concept of the rigors of training, parallel to spiritual training, which we all must undergo if we want to make progress on a spiritual path. It was intended as a parallel, not offered (as they say in Court) “for the truth of the matter.”

If you’re all his biographers, I guess this is a concern of yours. Personally, I think your “concern” has missed the message.

Then I must say, with considerable sadness, that this is not an answer–this is how you rationalize that this man lied–or, more ‘charitably,’ asserted two contradictory statements as though they held equal truth value.

(1) Regardless of what you heard him say, this does not reconcile what has actually been said about him by the organizations that he has been affiliated with, what he himself has stated, and what we have video evidence of him implying.

(2) Corapi is unique because of two things. From my previous posts, I bet you can guess the first. The second is that he comes from an extremely dubious and diverse past. His ‘personal narrative’ is far from trivial to his homilies.

Let’s momentarily ignore the fact that we know all of his many pit-stops (e.g., homelessness, millionaire, pro-potential football star, real estate agent, &c.) depend almost solely on his personal testimony. The times when Corapi does reference them explicitly, he needs to be able to say, “In the past I was or I was doing X, but now I’m doing Y.” These are not some stupid things that nobody could care less about–they’re what make Corapi who he is. Therefore, this is far from a trivial detail playing second-fiddle to some greater message, especially given the various contexts this was asserted in

(3) Any person who has ever enlisted in the Army knows that the Special Forces known colloquially as “Green Berets” have an extremely special status. You do not say I was in the Special Forces, when you were simply doing some very rigorous training. Even when you’re doing something extremely intense, dangerous, and clandestine–like, for instance, what the Rangers, Navy Seals and USMC Raiders routinely do–you do not say, “I was in the Special Forces.”** Because you weren’t, and that’s a lie. **

Corapi pushed pencils in Germany. There is a register at our nation’s Army jump school in Georgia. Soldiers during his time signed it after getting their ‘wings’–I defy any of you to find Corapi’s name on the register. Its not there, because Corapi was a clerk-typist in Germany. You need ‘wings’ to even consider rolling with the SF.

These claims dissipated almost instantly after a group of retired Special Forces fact-checkers challenged them. No apologies or attempts to clarify… except from the Corapites

This is like my son coming home during the Winter holiday break and telling me that he was working on the Manhattan Project, to describe his physics lab… yeah, its almost funny if he’s not serious, but when its asserted as fact my son sounds nuts. Do you follow?

 

[Guanovore]

I don’t know what you mean by a “'Corapite,” but I will tell you that I answered your question, on this very thread. Please search.

A lot of the people I see saddened by this message are people saying that Corapi was responsible for their conversion or reversion… that he lead them to Christ.

Well if his catechisis is responsible for their formation, we can judge the man by the fruit of his labors: he is leading people to Christ.

 

[GraceSofia]

markshea.blogspot.com/2011/06/gaping-hole-in-fr-corapis-story.html

To the Corapites, I pose a question:

Well, I’m new to the Catholic scene and as a former veteran, I would like to know: did Corapi really lie about his Special Forces service? Or was this also part of his mission?

My understanding is that he joined up with the hopes of becoming a Green Beret, but served in another capacity after an injury, although he did some training.
Here is an old post with lots of information. You can see that this is quite an old issue, but some people like to stir the pot.

(Mark Shea is one who has been vociferously anti-Corapi, so much so that he removed one of his over the top blog posts. Just something to keep in mind).

 

[Veridical16]

A lot of the people I see saddened by this message are people saying that Corapi was responsible for their conversion or reversion… that he lead them to Christ.

Well if his catechisis is responsible for their formation, we can judge the man by the fruit of his labors: he is leading people to Christ.

First of all, HE did not LEAD anybody to Christ. None of the Saints would say that. Don’t know if Fr. Corapi in his faithfulness would agree either. God uses us as instruments so that we may recognize this humbly, and hope to let God use US, to save other souls…Nobody goes to the father, except through Christ.
Furthermore, nobody comes to Christ, except through the HOLY SPIRIT,
And we bring Christ to others, thanks to the Holy Spirit working through us, (and it definitely helps, when you have Our Blessed Mother & the communion of Saints quickening things for you)

That many claim to have been brought into the faith by his preaching? Their faith is being tested now…some are saying they’ll follow him wherever he goes…

( Now this is independent from Fr. Corapi’s circumstances) I’m noticing and observing a lot of emphasis, and blind loyalty and defense of one man for the sake sentimentality and appreciation of his DVD’s, and ministry…

Fr. Corapi’s actions via his website and throwing off his title of Father, regardless of whether he is innocent or not of accusations, are not patient, nor prudent, nor humble actions.

The blacksheep dog is creepy. The marketing. Creepy. His blog posts, ego centric. No mention of the blessed mother, nor Christ, but me, me, me…

Yet people are blind to this…why?

This is the problem, one shepherd is still responsible for the gaining or the loss of a flock…St. Augustine says

every other kind of inequity prompts the evil deeds , but pride lurks even in the doing of good deeds to their undoing…

Pride undoes good deeds.
Do Not be Deceived is what Jesus, says and we have to keep our eyes open…My love goes out for Fr. Corapi a Catholic priest, but there is too much emphasis is on the man, and NOT his service…concerning him. We still have to discern properly what is not good example.

Fr. Corapi states he might lose his ability to preach…he isn’t grateful he had 20 years to do so!

There have been too much superficial justifications and comparisons of Fr. Corapi to that of Paul…other Saints…

This is not wise, Fr. Corapi is still running the race, we have to pray for him to get back up…People should not elevate him as if he is “Church Triumphant” status. He is no different than us, part of the Church Militant…he, we , can be running the race well, and then all of a sudden fall into despair and lose trust. This is where the comparison to St. Paul even acknowledging he could , is actually apt for us…Which is why we must never ever lose trust in Jesus Christ…

Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord" - Psalm 4:6

In scripture, the apostles allude to other disciples going back into the world… St. John especially.

They went out from us, but they were not of us. For if they had been of us, they would no doubt have remained with us; but that they may be manifest, that they are not all of us.

If you read his own website, many of his followers are confused, some recognize his actions as prideful…others are railing against a Bishop, we don’t even know is bad. Even if he was bad, St. Catherine advises against this…

One man should not behave this way, in responsibility of such following…This is why scripture warns about being a TEACHER…as well as the rudder of the tongue doing much damage…unfortunately Corapi’s blog, both his entrees, I’ve read, spout much confusion and disingenuousness, he says one thing, then contradicts himself… it’s very worldly in tone…and his autobiography is promoted too much, I really hope he doesn’t hope to let them fly off the shelves…

Fruits are not superficial. Right now… Many of other Catholics are using Corapi’s impatient response to scandal to accuse the body of Christ, with mistrust, for the sake of its current sick members…and the branches that might be pruned…

 

[Veridical16]

I just dont see why people can take up this man’s rhetoric and side with him against not jsut one bishop but MANY bishops. Sounds like we have a problem of respect and obediance. I am astounded and humbled by the patience of Holy Mother Church and her Bishops.

Too much elevating of the man, in sentimentality, in ignoring the mystical body of the Church.

Quite frankly. Fr. Corapi is distressed from his two entrees. I Really hope Christ provides him the strength to walk away from the precipice.

He contradicts himself four times here for instance.

The leadership of the Church has made it clear to me they don’t want me anymore. They have a right to do that and I have to accept that. So, I’ll do what I can outside of the Church. I’m not leaving the Church.

His blog shouts warning signs…to sum up his blog, he essentially threatens to go back into the world. He says he’s not leaving the church. Yet he wants to go back into the world.

He can’t do any good by doing that…it’ll only mislead people who’ve come to know him…you can’t mix the otherworldly, with the worldly…In both entrees he subtly promotes his autobiography and hopes to have a new venture as well with promotional teasers…

His human weaknesses are screaming off the pages…

 

[Shoshana]

There have been too much superficial justifications and comparisons of Fr. Corapi to that of Paul…other Saints…

This is not wise, Fr. Corapi is still running the race, we have to pray for him to get back up…People should not elevate him as if he is “Church Triumphant” status. He is no different than us, part of the Church Militant…he, we , can be running the race well, and then all of a sudden fall into despair and lose trust. This is where the comparison to St. Paul even acknowledging he could , is actually apt for us…Which is why we must never ever lose trust in Jesus Christ…quote]

My point exactly, St Paul also said that he was still running the race. My motivation in the comparison was exactly that…a comparison. By that I do not allude to Fr John being a saint. Nor an apostle called by the Lord. What I have said with the comparisons is all that I can determine in the similarities…THAT IS ALL. I just finished a research comparing The Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty to St Maria Skobtsova…the similarities are quite outstanding, enough for the postulator of Catherine Doherty’s cause to keep in touch with me. But that is all I was dong…comparing, not declaring Catherine Doherty a saint. Not my job…

I have no right to call anybody a saint (with a big S), that is our Mother Church’s role of doing so. I respect that. As much as Fr John was a good preacher…there are others as well that have touched me greatly. Fr Groeschel is certainly one of them. I was blessed to go and hear him in a conference and let me tell you that he does not have his tongue in his pocket also.

Now by saying that, I do not elevate Fr Groeschel to sainthood…nor even compare him ot St Paul. But as Fr Groeschel says, take what is good and apply it in your own life. Discern on the side of caution (Still small voice)

We have excellent and inspired teachers/preachers out there. Just some are more in the public than the others. We are truly blessed by the richness of the catholic church…

 

[redrosetea]

Everytime I see a minister accused and convicted of something, I consider this ‘good Catholic’ news, because this dangerous individual is being taken out of a position in which he might’ve done considerable harm. Try to see the glass is half-full.

It is never good news…It is a shame ,and we need to pray for them…We are all sinners everyone of us…Gloating about the fall of others lacks charity

 

[Mrs_Sally]

Yes, but if he is laicized, then the Church does not have the level of jurisdiciton over him as they do should he remain a priest. The potential is much greater of a loose canon bringing harm to the flock. If he remains a priest under Holy Orders, he can be reassigned, and effectively kept quiet and out of the public eye. I live out here in a hotbed of sexually abusive priests, and two treatment centers for them in the area. I have seen that it is much more effective to separate and control priests with harmful behaviors if they are not laicized. There are many of them that have been “disappeared” into cloistered desert monasteries. This was the practice before all the sex scandals hit the news.

I agree with this thought in general. Keeping abusive priests in the church, where they can be under supervision and direction is probably the best choice. Not that they all need to be sent to the desert, but better than sending them away into a situation where they may not have the skill set to properly support themselves, and certainly wouldn’t be accountable to any authority. In the case of the abusive priests, many are also older now and would be soon retired anyway.

However, Fr Corapi does not fit this description. He is not accused of any abuse to children. He does however, belong to an order that already has a place where he can ‘retire’ to and has been invited to. My concern with him continuing to teach outside of his order or priestly role, is again that he would not be under any authority. He is well known as a priest and if he begins speaking on political issues he can become a source of confusion to Catholics and to the general public. I do not think he would teach anything against the faith, but most political issues are in the area of “prudential judgment” and I don’t think his style allows for much of that. Basic faith is definitely black and white, and he expresses that well. Prudential judgment allows for more subtleties and he’s not a subtle guy!

 

[tm30]

guanophore:
Yes, of course! But then, that was His purpose. Fr. Corapi is not here to die for our sins. Jesus already did that!

No one is expecting Fr. Corapi to be flogged and crucified for our sins.

Clearly from his own messages, Corapi feels that his mission is not completed,

What does the Church say?

and that silencing himself is equivalent to “lie down and die”.

You mean “die” to himself and his wants?

So it seems clear to me that he continues to be passionately committed to his mission.

Or obstinantly married to what he’s built, like the rich young man.

He does not want to resign from the priesthood.

But he’s stated that the Sacraments are not important to his mission. By definition, this is a mission unrelated to the priesthood. He may not want to resign, but he does not want to increase his Sacramental duties to the detriment of his evangelical mission.

This is what he has said. I see no reason not to take it at face value.

Like his Green Beret duty and the colorful backstory which has never been corroborated? Wouldn’t someone have come forward durnig the last ten years or so at some point and said, “yeah I knew Fr. Corapi when he was a multi-millionaire wheeler and dealer?” That would be a great positive to actually hear from people who could say, “I knew him when…and look what God has done for him!”

He can no longer function publicly as a priest. This was the decision of his bishop, and he has accepted it,

True.

and decided to “move on”.

Hence the suspicion over not waiting for the process to play out.

Perhaps you have not listened to his preaching? Of course there is no prophet like Paul (he was a one and only) but Corapi has a gift, and has exercised it to the best of his ability for 20 years. He has produced some marvellous fruit. Even if the Catechism was the only thing he had done, the contribution to our generation is massive.

It’s not his gift. It’s the Holy Spirit’s gift. If at some point Fr. Corapi decided he was not just a conduit of the Holy Spirit, but the master of his own destiny, that’s when spiritual pride barges in. If his media enterprise has become a monument to himself, it’s quite possible God is testing where his loyalty actually lies.