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

[Kat_L]

For the Christ centered person, all suffering is a gift. Our example is Christ Himself.

From your post about all suffering being a gift, I’m guessing that you never found one of your children dead after a nap. I’m guessing you never did CPR on one of your lifeless children. Or listened to a doctor tell you that there was no hope and that your youngest child and only son was dead.

It’s easy to call someone else’s pain a “gift” when you’ve never experienced that kind of pain yourself.

That suffering was NOT a gift from God. To insinuate that God would give someone that kind of “gift” means He’s a horrible and mean spirited God. A good God wouldn’t tear someone’s life into pieces so tiny that the person can never be whole again and tell them “Hey, it was a gift”.

God supported me and still supports me. And Angel’s death brought about a law named for him that will hopefully protect other children from strangulation. But his death is not a gift. The suffering I’ve dealt with is not a gift. And to say something like that makes me really angry because it’s meant to minimize what happened.

I’ve heard some pretty awful things since Angel died by well meaning people

It was God’s will (so tough it up and stop crying)
God needed another Angel (as if He couldn’t create another one if He wanted)
I know how you feel. I remember how bad I felt when my dog died (Yeah…someone actually compared their pain from their dog’s death to my pain after my son died)
He’s in a better place (You don’t know that. You hope that. You believe that. But you don’t know that for a fact. When Angel died, I wasn’t even sure there was a God or a heaven. His place was with me. That was the better place. To say he’s in a better place now insinuates that he wasn’t better off with me)
There’s a reason for everything (Yeah…give me a one good reason one why my child is dead)

But to have someone say “It was a gift” (so embrace the horrific memory of finding your child hanging dead. It’s a present from God!) definately takes the cake.

No one who’s suffering should ever be told their suffering was a gift. Never. Whether it’s a priest who’s been falsely accused or a mother who buried her baby, it’s not okay to say that. We benefited from Christ’s death on the cross-not Him. His pain was not a gift for Himself that He could embrace-even though He used it to free us from our sin. We benefited from the crucifixion-not Christ. Maybe others, in some way, are benefiting from my pain. Maybe another mother won’t have to go through what I went through because of Angel’s law. And she will benefit from my pain. But it is not a gift.

Unless you walked in another person’s shoes, it’s not okay to say something meant to minimize their pain. It’s their pain. You can’t say if it’s beneficial or a gift. It isn’t your pain. You don’t know how that person feels.

 

[luvmykids]

It should also be pointed out that, as far as I remember, SOLT did not make a public statement about Fr. Corapi’s original suspension. The only reason that most of us heard about the allegations against Fr. Corapi was because Fr. Corapi chose to reveal them on the internet. This was within his right, of course, but if he hadn’t said anything, most of us wouldn’t have heard about them.

Yes, and if Father Corapi hadn’t said anything, don’t you think people would have been wondering what happened to him? He is not just any normal everyday priest. His ministry was very public. On the internet and speaking engagements, television, etc… Most priests wouldn’t need to go on the internet and explain why they won’t be around any longer.

 

[miamijoe]

Someone needs to pick up a phone and dial the purple line to Rome and ask Papa B16 to head across the pond and have a sit down with all involved. (You know, like Obama and the professor/cop.)

Please excuse my weak attempt at humor to lighten the mood, but I am actually curious as to how much of all this is of interest to our Beloved Pope and how involved he would be.
Peace

 

[TheRealJuliane]

**
We do not need a Catholic Rush Limbaugh.**

That was uncalled for. Rush Limbaugh has NOTHING to do with this discussion. Nice try at besmirching his reputation as you go.

 

[kitkatty]

As a Mom and Gramma, I would sure hate to have your pain, but in defense of Guanophore`s post (And I am going from memory here, too long a thread to find his post) I do believe he said following what you quoted was something along the lines of being thankful in ll circumstances, but not FOR all circumstances.

 

[Kat_L]

I am actually curious as to how much of all this is of interest to our Beloved Pope and how involved he would be.
Peace

I think Blessed John Paul II would care-because he ordained Fr Corapi. But I don’t think Pope Benedict cares one way or another. Lots of priests are powerful speakers who appear on EWTN and radio. Lots of priests are falsely accused. Fr Corapi is one of many. I don’t think Pope Benedict would see this as anything special.

 

[qui_est_ce]

Documentation, please.

News Release
July 30, 2009 For more information contact:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Anne Steffens
Chief Communications Officer
Phone: (314) 792-7631

STATEMENT REGARDING REV. JAMES GRADY
From Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis

“Today the Archdiocese of St. Louis learned that Father James Grady, pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel parish, was arrested and charged with recruiting a minor for a commercial sex act. Upon notification, the Archdiocese of St. Louis immediately began the process of implementing a plan to notify the parishioners at St. Raphael and parents of the students at St. Raphael School. The Archdiocese will cooperate fully with the proper authorities.

Because of the gravity of the situation, I have suspended Father Grady from the pastorate of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in South St. Louis City pending this investigation. To our knowledge, no previous allegations have been made against Father Grady.

Since the filing of charges, I have written a letter to be read at all the Masses this Sunday at all parishes where Father Grady has served informing the parishioners of what has taken place.

We, as Catholics, believe in the sanctity of all human life from the moment of its inception to the moment of natural death. As Archbishop, I am, therefore, committed totally to protecting God’s children, and offer my deepest apologies to those who have been abused by clergy.”

Picture below is priest leaving courthouse with his lawyer, Martin Hadican, paid for by the Archdiocese.

snapnetwork.org/snap_press_releases/2002_2003_press_releases/111503_caution_stlouis_settlement.htm

Hadican is a mediator for the Archdiocese of St. Louis.Home / News / Local / Law & Order / Law & Order
Priest gets 80 months in prison in child porn case

BY ROBERT PATRICK • rpatrick@post-dispatch.com > 314-621-5154 | Posted: Friday, June 25, 2010 12:07 am | (12) Comments

James Patrick Grady
July 31, 2009 – James Patrick Grady, 57, Pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel (center), leaves the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Courthouse with his attorney J. Martin Hadican (right). Federal prosecutors charged Grady in U.S. District Court in St. Louis with attempting to obtain a minor for a commercial sex act. He was arrested in an FBI sting aimed at men who wanted to rent young girls for sex, federal court documents show.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

This whole thing bothers me greatly. It’s not really even about Fr. Corapi himself. It’s about Catholics getting involved in a cult of personality which is what this seems to be. People are attracted to the PERSONA of Fr. Corapi instead of seeing Christ reflected in him. Very heady stuff for someone who has an ego, and Fr. Corapi definitely has that.

Anyone’s parish who has a VERY popular priest knows what I am talking about. People come to church to hear HIM, not the Word of God. But most parish priests don’t rise to the level of John Corapi.

Just the length of this thread, in a very short time, says that Corapi has drawn people to HIM instead of to the Church. Otherwise people would be like



so what?

 

[qui_est_ce]

Picture below is priest leaving courthouse with his lawyer, Martin Hadican, paid for by the Archdiocese.

Of course, Fr. Corapi has not been charged with a crime…

 

[valient_Lucy]

Yes, and if Father Corapi hadn’t said anything, don’t you think people would have been wondering what happened to him? He is not just any normal everyday priest. His ministry was very public. On the internet and speaking engagements, television, etc… Most priests wouldn’t need to go on the internet and explain why they won’t be around any longer.

Most of the shows that were shown on EWTN were archived tapes, same as the radio. I’ve never heard him live on the radio. Most average Corapi listeners wouldn’t have noticed that he wasn’t producing any new material, unless they were “groupes” following him around the country as if he was Phish. And I doubt any one was that crazy.

He also could have announced that he was under investigation, and left it at that. He also could have said he was under investigation for “conduct unbecoming a priest.”

**I’m not saying he should have done that. ** I’m simply saying that it’s not fair to imply that the Bishop or SOLT was dragging his name through the mud; they didn’t reveal to everyone that he was under investigation. They, by all appearances, have tried to handle this quietly.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Someone needs to pick up a phone and dial the purple line to Rome and ask Papa B16 to head across the pond and have a sit down with all involved. (You know, like Obama and the professor/cop.)

Please excuse my weak attempt at humor to lighten the mood, but I am actually curious as to how much of all this is of interest to our Beloved Pope and how involved he would be.
Peace

I’m sure if we did ask the Holy Father what he thought about Fr. Corapi, he’d say, “Who is that?”

Just to put things in perspective.

 

[valient_Lucy]

I think Blessed John Paul II would care-because he ordained Fr Corapi. But I don’t think Pope Benedict cares one way or another. Lots of priests are powerful speakers who appear on EWTN and radio. Lots of priests are falsely accused. Fr Corapi is one of many. I don’t think Pope Benedict would see this as anything special.

Blessed Pope John Paul might have cared, but think about it. He must have ordained a lot of priests during his reign as bishop and then later as pope. Why should he have cared more about Fr. Corapi than any of the other priests he ordained?

 

[whm]

**I’m not saying he should have done that. ** I’m simply saying that it’s not fair to imply that the Bishop or SOLT was dragging his name through the mud; they didn’t reveal to everyone that he was under investigation. They, by all appearances, have tried to handle this quietly.

Except for sending a letter to EWTN and others regarding his suspension which would have resulted in him being taken off the air whether or not Fr. Corapi ever said a word.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Except for sending a letter to EWTN and others regarding his suspension which would have resulted in him being taken off the air whether or not Fr. Corapi ever said a word.

So? Is it so bad to have a show taken off of EWTN? I don’t have a show on EWTN. Lots of people don’t. Lots of good, devout, faithful Catholics don’t have shows on EWTN. That’s hardly the same thing as a smear campaign.

And that’s my point. SOLT and the bishops haven’t flooded the internet or released statements over the past few months saying, “Here are all the horrible things that Fr. Corapi is accused of doing! Here’s the allegation letter from his accuser! Here are copies of the testimonies from witnesses!” They showed a great deal of discretion. It’s uncharitable and judgmental for any Catholic suggest otherwise, not to mention simply untrue.

And while we’re at it, SOLT and the Bishop of Corpus Christi didn’t make EWTN take Fr. Corapi off the air. EWTN has a policy to not show any videos of a priest who has been suspended, resigned, defrocked, excommunicated, whatever. If you don’t like it, you’re more than welcome to start your own Catholic TV or radio network with different rules. We all are. It’s a free country (for now.)

 

[luvmykids]

Except for sending a letter to EWTN and others regarding his suspension which would have resulted in him being taken off the air whether or not Fr. Corapi ever said a word.

AND he had a conference planned on August 6th in Boston. I’m sure word would have gotten out all over the internet due to his popularity and, because of the fact that there are so many who would take any opportunity to smear his reputation.

 

[valient_Lucy]

AND he had a conference planned on August 6th in Boston. I’m sure word would have gotten out all over the internet due to his popularity and, because of the fact that there are so many who would take any opportunity to smear his reputation.

They could have simply issued a statement saying “This conference is cancelled until further notice,” or something.

I think a lot of people are overestimating Fr. Corapi’s importance within the Catholic community. Most Catholics never kept track of his comings and goings.

I’m not saying he should have kept it a secret; I’m simply pointing out that SOLT and the Bishops did not start a smear campaign against him. For any Catholic to suggest otherwise is uncharitable and judgmental.

 

[Marie5890]

I’m sure if we did ask the Holy Father what he thought about Fr. Corapi, he’d say, “Who is that?”

Just to put things in perspective.

I pretty much had the same thought.

The Holy Father can’t have his finger on the pulse of everything and everyone. It’s a reason that Our Lord called more than just one to be an apostle or disciple.

The Pope certainly has the Primacy of Peter, but there is a reason that there are more than just one bishop and that they are equal in authority.

 

[CTCatholic5]

This whole thing bothers me greatly. It’s not really even about Fr. Corapi himself. It’s about Catholics getting involved in a cult of personality which is what this seems to be. People are attracted to the PERSONA of Fr. Corapi instead of seeing Christ reflected in him. Very heady stuff for someone who has an ego, and Fr. Corapi definitely has that.

Anyone’s parish who has a VERY popular priest knows what I am talking about. People come to church to hear HIM, not the Word of God. But most parish priests don’t rise to the level of John Corapi.

Just the length of this thread, in a very short time, says that Corapi has drawn people to HIM instead of to the Church. Otherwise people would be like



so what?

Here, here!

Even a tiny bit of criticism for Fr. Corapi and this debacle is a sure way to be met with: “You’re unfaithful to tradition/Church/&c.”

Its sad that this person has won over people’s hearts, rather than the Priest he (used to) represent(s).

 

[whm]

Lucy I don’t know what I said to get such an emotional response from you. I only wanted to keep the facts straight. That fact is that knowledge of the suspension would be known whether Fr. Corapi said anything or not. This letter was sent by SOLT, I’m not making a judgment about it just stating the fact that they did. I stated it because your statement (probably unintentionally) made it sound as if they did not.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

They could have simply issued a statement saying “This conference is cancelled until further notice,” or something.

**I think a lot of people are overestimating Fr. Corapi’s importance within the Catholic community. Most Catholics never kept track of his comings and goings. **

I’m not saying he should have kept it a secret; I’m simply pointing out that SOLT and the Bishops did not start a smear campaign against him. For any Catholic to suggest otherwise is uncharitable and judgmental.

I agree. There are many good, devout Catholics who even don’t watch EWTN. There are definately people for whom these recent statements and the stir it has caused are their first real exposure to him. As New England Priest said very far up this thread: There was no talk about him or his status until he made these new public statements.

Let us all continue to pray for everyone involved in this sad situation.