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

[Seamus_L]

I don’t believe that Father Corapi is unable to endure persecution, More accurately, I think, he has become overwhelmed with how his opponents have been able to silence the truth. Always remember, Father Corapi has made some powerful enemies within the Church. How many times has he told us that we have dioceses here in America, where you wil not be ordained to the priesthood if you are opposed to women’s ordination.
All one needs to do to see how seriously wrong things are is to compare the handling of the accusation against Father Corapi with the handling of the open defiance toward the Church's hierarchy by Chicago priest Michael Pfleger.

 

[kmaaj]

I am already bored of this topic. I consider that a good thing…I have been admonished on more than one occasion to avoid distractions.

 

[Tighty_Whitey]

You know, it suddenly struck me that this whole scenario reminds me of a divorce. Unless you’re one of the two people in the broken marriage, all you have is “he said/she said.” Also, the two people who are divorcing will try to elicit sympathy and justify their actions by saying, “This person did this. That person is crazy,” and bringing up awful events from the past, to family members, friends, kids, etc. Anyone who’s been through a divorce has probably experienced this. I know I went through this when my parents divorced. As much as I love my mom, there were times when I had to say, “Mom, leave me out of this.” My mom’s a wonderful human being, but she was hurt and frustrated. That being said, my brother and I still needed to tell her when to stop.

I don’t know if that’s really what’s going on, but it just reminds me a lot what I went through when my parents divorce, and suddenly it makes all the sense in the world of this situation.

I really like your analogy and the fact that the only people that really know what is going on here are the people involved. I would only state that the two people involved do not have to act in ways to elicit sympathy and justify their actions. That is a choice and does not have to occur. It did not happen during my divorce, lots of prayers answered on that score, and it does not have to happen in this dispute.

I am deeply saddened that Mr. Corapi did not elect to defend himself under the rules and procedures he is subjected.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Don’t know. I wish he never posted those youtubes or reacted in this manner to his case on those blog entrees…just makes things more difficult now and confusing for Catholics exposed to it.

I agree. There’s a sense that he kind of threw this together at the last minute, without thinking through what he was going to do our how he was going to proceed. Or at least, he didn’t think very carefully how he was going to explain his plans to everyone. There’s so much confusion about this issue, and unfortunately he’s largely responsible for this confusion.

 

[Denise1957]

My hope is that Fr. Corapi will follow the advice or direction of his superior or confessor (maybe they are the same person - I don’t know). Surely his confessor or superior knows Father better than pretty much anyone else, and they will take his best interest to heart in light of the situation.

 

[PbloPicasso]

I’m so distraught over this situation that I will now unsubscribe to this thread and try to forget Fr. Corapi. His ministry helped in my conversion. God has used him, but now its time to hang up the collar and move on. The Church will miss his orthodox preaching. I pray that he’ll be healed from his recent anxieties. I pray that all concerned will be forgiven and that we will allow John Corapi to exist without interference as long as he obeys his new state in life stripped of his faculties.

 

[guanophore]

Is this true (re: title of “father”) He is not allowed to use it? I was under the impressing he made the choice of not to use it.

Why would being on admin leave strip him of that?

(Sincere question here. Just looking for factual answers)

No, he is forbidden to refer to himself that way in public, or put himself forth in public as a priest in any manner while he is on leave. I think that is one reason he is pursuing other ways to express himself, and why the Cruz media has an announcement that the materials under “Fr. Corapi” may not be available in the future.

It was not his choice, and according to his report, not the choice of SOLT either.

While he is suspended he cannot act toward any of the faithful as a priest. That is why the idea that he is “leaving the priesthood” is a mistatement. He never made any statement that he wanted to be laicized. His ability to act as a priest or call himself Father hasa been removed from him forcibly. I think this is one of the sources of the hurt and anger.

 

[guanophore]

I am deeply saddened that Mr. Corapi did not elect to defend himself under the rules and procedures he is subjected.

That part does not sadden me as much, because if the procedures and the process are flawed, in cooperating with them, he only encourages the error. I am saddened that he took so many details into the public.

My hope is that Fr. Corapi will follow the advice or direction of his superior or confessor (maybe they are the same person - I don’t know). Surely his confessor or superior knows Father better than pretty much anyone else, and they will take his best interest to heart in light of the situation.

Yes, this is my prayer as well.

 

[valient_Lucy]

I really like your analogy and the fact that the only people that really know what is going on here are the people involved. I would only state that the two people involved do not have to act in ways to elicit sympathy and justify their actions. That is a choice and does not have to occur. It did not happen during my divorce, lots of prayers answered on that score, and it does not have to happen in this dispute.

I am deeply saddened that Mr. Corapi did not elect to defend himself under the rules and procedures he is subjected.

That’s very true. Two people don’t have to behave this way, and it is possible for two people to divorce without the divorcing couple involving everyone else (including their children) in their mud-slinging. It’s the same way in this situation. There are things to which the public should not be privy.

 

[dfp42]

Interesting fact:

www.theblacksheepdog.com has a new face to it’s website however onlinecatholicnetwork.com/ does not. You can buy www.theblacksheepdog.com for $10,000.00 dollars. It seems someone is definitely trying to cap a deal on the blacksheepdog or it’s just a coincidence.

 

[guanophore]

I agree 100%. That’s the point I was making in earlier posts about Father Corapi’s pain not being a gift from God. The devil causes pain…and chaos, division, doubt, fear, anxiety and false accusations…etc.

The pain of life drives us towards Him and reminds us that we need Him.

I think that is what it is meant to do, but many times this is not the result. Pain can als separate people from God, which is, as you noted, the goal of the Evil One.

know that. But it's so unfair.  When you're faithful to God and evil pulls the rug right out from under you and you go flying, it's just...I dunno. It just blows your mind that this can even happen. And the resulting pain does make you angry and disappointed so of course Fr Corapi is going to have those emotions. Do everything right and you still lose (and least that's how it seems).

Yes.

I am thinking about the trials of Job, and how he said “though He slay me, yet will I praise him”. Dust we are, and to dust we shall return. Sometimes it seems like we are being ground into powder.

For those outside the event, it’s easy to say things that are patronizing…like it was God’s will or your suffering is a gift.

Suffering CAN be a gift, but it does not become that for many people. If it is not united to the sufferings of Christ, it loses it’s redemptive value.

One of the things that stuck out to me in the that film about the crucifixion was some of the crown jeering because Jesus embraced His cross. They asked why he was hugging it, or something like that, as if they thought there was something bizarre about embracing the tool of your demise. That well represents the world view of suffering.

But when you’re in the middle of that pain, God doesn’t seem like much of a friend. And having someone tell you it was His will or His gift only magnifies the pain.

God is omnipotent, and could spare us pain and suffering if He wished. Therefore, if He permits it, it is His will. At least, His permissive will. He allows pain and suffering for the gift He intends to bring out of it. His healing is bigger than any magnification of the pain.

Even though God may bring great things from it, in the moment when you’re at your lowest, you want to know that God is on your side and is supporting you. Thinking that He caused you this pain (for any reason at all-even if you deserved it as a result of a horribly sinful life), drives you from Him-not to Him.

I think this is the natural human tendency, which is why redemptive suffering requires supernatural grace.

It’s hard to cling to God for support when people are saying things that make you think God caused your pain (Like saying it’s God’s Will or a gift).

It is hard either way. The bottom line is, God allows our suffering,and it is His will to gift us through it.

Fr Corapi is suffering. The accusation, whether true or false, has turned his life upside down. Does he deserve far worse? I don’t think so.

According to his own testimony he does. He has testified that he deserves eternal punishment, and certainly never deserved the gift of becoming a priest. He testifies that it is only God’s mercy and grace that has brought him this far.

I don’t think saying another person deserves their suffering is very christian. In fact, I think it’s horrible to say that to another person in pain. Christ spent His time on earth alleviating suffering-not causing it.

If we all got what we deserved, we would all burn in The Pit.

Fortunately, it is not about what we deserve, because Jesus took the penalty we deserve upon Himself on the cross. If we are suffering, then it is safe to assume that God has allowed it to bring about greater good, in us, and around us. Jesus did, and does, alleviate suffering. However, he is also the Rock:

Luke 20:17-18
17 But he looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written:

‘The very stone which the builders rejected
has become the head of the corner’?

18 Every one who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; but when it falls on any one it will crush him."

It seems that we have a choice. We can throw ourselves upon him, in which case we will be broken to pieces, or we can avoid Him, and end up getting crushed.

He is able to repair broken clay pots, though, and even make new pots out of pulverzied clay.

Luke 20:17-18
17 But he looked at them and said, "What then is this that is written:

‘The very stone which the builders rejected
has become the head of the corner’?

All of us deserve hell based on our sins. But Christ redeemed us with His suffering.

Yes, and part of that redemption is picking up our cross, and following Him. We make up in ourselves what is lacking in His suffering on the cross. We know, for example, that Jesus never fathered any children. So, he did not physically suffer what it is like to lose his offspring. In that way, we can add ours sufferings to his.

Whether God can bring good from pain or not, that pain is life shattering. Fr Corapi needs prayers and support. He will always be one of God’s priests and we can’t afford to lose him or any other priests. We just don’t have that many that we can afford to have one removed from service.

Yes, it is life shattering. But we can have confidence that He can restore shattered lives.

Let us all continue in prayer for him, and all those that have suffered devastating losses.

 

[tm30]

Because a compensated non-disclosure agreement is presumably easier to adjudicate. Much less to have to prove and has built in remedies. Ex employee is not suppose to say anything and they said something, case done. Libel can be more difficult to prove in court, you have to get into all the details of what was said, what was true what was not true, longer and more difficult. I wouldn’t read much into this(the type of civil case filed), this is why you have a non-disclosure agreement.

The only thing I would read into it I guess is that it is consistent with what was previously stated by Fr. Corapi and SOLT - that accusations don’t include a crime. A non-disclosure would not be able to block criminal evidence (I don’t believe).

Which begs the question, why won’t he release others from their non-disclosure agreements to speak up on his behalf? This is what doesn’t add up at all.

Oh, wait, he can’t. The investigation was stopped dead in its tracks.

 

[guanophore]

Which begs the question, why won’t he release others from their non-disclosure agreements to speak up on his behalf? This is what doesn’t add up at all.

Oh, wait, he can’t. The investigation was stopped dead in its tracks.

But that is WHY it is stopped. If he released every one from their agreements, then the interviews could proceed without any delay.

They can interview people that did not sign, but I think the ones that are really critical are the ones that signed, and especially, the one making the allegations, who he had to pay to sign.

 

[vz71]

But that is WHY it is stopped. If he released every one from their agreements, then the interviews could proceed without any delay.

They can interview people that did not sign, but I think the ones that are really critical are the ones that signed, and especially, the one making the allegations, who he had to pay to sign.

Is it coincidence that everyone that they need to testify had a non-disclosure gag signed well in advance?

Perhaps, but this whole thing smells rotten.

Even if he is innocent of any wrongdoing and the accusations prove false, I am uncertain I could look past the present actions.

 

[guanophore]

Is it coincidence that everyone that they need to testify had a non-disclosure gag signed well in advance?

Perhaps, but this whole thing smells rotten.

Even if he is innocent of any wrongdoing and the accusations prove false, I am uncertain I could look past the present actions.

It is very mysterious. It sounds like a situation that has been affecting his business and personal life for many years, and the recent out of control incident where the accuser came to the business drunk and assaulted other employees was the last straw. If such activity was going on at Santa Cruz Media, I am sure he would not want it interfering with the work. He may just have been advised to get these for all employees as a routine human resources step. He had his early career in Hollywood circles, and knew a lot of famous people. This might just be a standard practice for public figures.

 

[debraran]

I know some believe he wouldn’t let a woman like that stay around his office unless she had somethng on him, “helping” her doesn’t make sense. You enable after a while and he knows the difference. I also think that if she was that bad and he taped her, had witness’s, it would be a slam-dunk for his case or any other. Everyone says she is a drunk without knowing her AT ALL (only a coworker/friends comments) believe she is the one posting on FB which the investigators can see also, taking him at his word when he is trashing someone else’s reputation when she isn’t saying anything about him to anyone outside of the proper channels. Doesn’t anyone see that he is making her into the enemy when “she” doesn’t have a name, when what he did or took was ever told to anyone?
That isn’t right either. And just because someone has a problem, doesn’t mean she is wrong or can’t see things. She might have made everythng up, but that means the case would fall apart, but she still could still be an alcoholic and know something is wrong,

I also wish he had a video instead of a voice tape, because the slurred words and pauses, when he could practice and write better than that, make me scared he is either very depressed or drinking, it’s easy to hide if you just post messages. Please pray that whether he stays a priest in his mind or not, that he gets help if he needs it. Everyone knows something is wrong, not many really want to see a train wreck.

 

[guanophore]

I know some believe he wouldn’t let a woman like that stay around his office unless she had somethng on him, “helping” her doesn’t make sense. You enable after a while and he knows the difference. I also think that if she was that bad and he taped her, had witness’s, it would be a slam-dunk for his case or any other.

I don’t think he would have brought her to work there if she was such a “terrible alcoholic” as he refers to her now. So, she may have been sober, and relapsed.

He didn’t “tape her”. She called and left vile messages on his voice mail. Besides, no amount of inappropriate behavior on her part justifies inappropriate behavior on his. Although all these things may be true about her, none of that means that he did not commit the offenses she is charging. That is why it is not a “slam dunk”. From the other point of view, one could see her as the perfect victim, because she is not a credible witness.

Doesn’t anyone see that he is making her into the enemy when “she” doesn’t have a name, when what he did or took was ever told to anyone?

Not sure what you are saying here. What he did or took was ever told to anyone?

She instigated this by sending letters to several bishops, accusing him of “doing”.

But I do agree it is not right to publicly showcase her shortcomings.

That isn’t right either. And just because someone has a problem, doesn’t mean she is wrong or can’t see things.

Exactly.

She might have made everythng up, but that means the case would fall apart, but she still could still be an alcoholic and know something is wrong,

Obviously it is not this simple, or his attorneys would have advised him to continue the process and be vindicated. For reasons we may never know, he is under the impression that he will only be vindicated “by accident”. He is convinced that his faculties will never be restored. Since he claims to be innocent, then there are a lot of things that we don’t know to leave things in such a state.

I also wish he had a video instead of a voice tape, because the slurred words and pauses, when he could practice and write better than that, make me scared he is either very depressed or drinking, it’s easy to hide if you just post messages.

Personally, I think silence might have been better. I am also concerned about the quality of his expressions. It made me wonder if he had a stroke or something!

Please pray that whether he stays a priest in his mind or not, that he gets help if he needs it. Everyone knows something is wrong, not many really want to see a train wreck.

From your mouth to God’s ear!

 

[debraran]

I agree and I meant, she only gave a letter to the proper people, no telling the tale online or to the press, no bashing him back, it’s like all you hear is his side and everyone says, “Oh the alcoholic is satan and hurting our Father Corapi”. If anyone says anything about him, they are “sinning”, no one sees it vice-versa, because he is a priest, although he diminished his role considerably and gave up the title to go on his own without it. He can sin too and she should only be gone after in court.

I say, let it play out, but my gut tells me he needs help, and I hope his friends will help him.

I got a newsletter from Fr. Groechels order today, I look for good news from other religious groups, you have to balance, as Catholics, we have a lot of riches and great people, trying not to fixate on one, the oddness was just hard to ignore, it was sad.

 

[garygodin]

Man, what a bunch of sanctimonious milarky is coming from some here. Father is still a Priest & will always be a Priest. His Priestly faculties have been taken away from him and he is moving on. For now I would put more faith in Father than a fired addict. Especially with some statements made by her as she was going out the door, reported by other employees of Father Corapi.

Quote Bobbi Ruffatto, Vice President of Operations at Santa Cruz Media, Inc., said in a statement Friday that the only evidence against Corapi thus far is “the unsubstantiated rant of a former employee, who, after losing her job with this office, physically assaulted me and another employee and promised to ‘destroy’ Father Corapi.”

 

[Marie5890]

Man, what a bunch of sanctimonious milarky is coming from some here. Father is still a Priest & will always be a Priest. His Priestly faculties have been taken away from him and he is moving on. For now I would put more faith in Father than a fired addict. Especially with some statements made by her as she was going out the door, reported by other employees of Father Corapi.

Quote Bobbi Ruffatto, Vice President of Operations at Santa Cruz Media, Inc., said in a statement Friday that the only evidence against Corapi thus far is “the unsubstantiated rant of a former employee, who, after losing her job with this office, physically assaulted me and another employee and promised to ‘destroy’ Father Corapi.”

Gary, hello and welcome to CAF.
One of the standards that is tried to lived by here is charity towards others in all things when we post.

God Bless and have a good day.