Fr John Corapi has Announced in a Video Message that he is Leaving the Priesthood
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Robert_Bay
Guest
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.
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.
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lizaanne
Guest
Thought I would link back to the original thread in case anyone wanted to review what’s already been discussed: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=572442&page=70
~Liza
~Liza
Wow.
That was the fastest 1000 posts I have seen in a while.
As said toward the end of the previous thread…
I see a big difference in the speaker he is now and the speaker he was.
He is still very skilled, and articulate.
But there is something missing there now.
Authority perhaps? Maybe charisma?
I am having a hard time actually defining it, but there is something missing now.
That was the fastest 1000 posts I have seen in a while.
As said toward the end of the previous thread…
I see a big difference in the speaker he is now and the speaker he was.
He is still very skilled, and articulate.
But there is something missing there now.
Authority perhaps? Maybe charisma?
I am having a hard time actually defining it, but there is something missing now.
J
JM3
Guest
@ TheRealJuliane from post 1038 on previous thread.
As stated in the blog post:
You are misreading the blog post. It’s from an article written by LTC Grossman, not by John Corapi.
As stated in the blog post:
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guanophore
Guest
Yes, I see the danger. It is the same danger that exists anytime there is a popular or charismatic person. In his case, his style is supplemented by the fact that he has taught such staunch Truth for so long, so solidly.
Personally, I am not so grateful for all the decisions made since March.
I don’t think we should judge him by the opinons of sqewed “fans” though. He knows the sheep are not his, but the Lord’s. The Lord is our shepherd, and the Lord has appointed shepherds over us. I am glad that he has the sense not to claim to be one of them. He has always said that he does not have the gifts or the calling to be a pastor or a parish priest. I am sure that God has a plan for his life, as He does for us all. I pray that God will lead him to it.
Let us also pray that he will use his new pen name to educate these fanatical “fans” better, so that they do not fall into idolatry.
W
wild_thing
Guest
I continue to pray for him. Irregardless of the reasons for why he is leaving the priesthood, he is not a man who is radiating inner peace and happiness about his decisions. He seems desperately unhappy.
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TheRealJuliane
Guest
Yes I know it’s from LTC Grossman, but Corapi is quoting it and referencing it, and by doing that, he is giving it his stamp of approval. Where else did he get the persona he is now using, but from these sorts of militaristic, rather violent and at the same time, condescending images? Every mention Grossman makes of sheep, is quite condescending, even arrogant.
When a public figure quotes and gives a nod of his head to another speaker/writer, it is saying, “This is what I believe, too.” We can get a lot of clarity from reading that story/statement from Grossman. That quote is very alarming in a lot of different ways, and to have it posted on a public blog by a Catholic priest? Pretty astounding, if you ask me.
Who is advising John Corapi right now, I wonder? Who told him, “Yes, using that image of the eyes of a black dog with wolves reflected in one eye and sheep in the other, that’s a GREAT idea!” Who is telling him, “Never mind what some people say about that graphic, those are the “sheep” and they don’t know THE REAL YOU?” Is someone whispering in his ear, “THEY want you to lie down and DIE?” Or has he completely gone rogue and left all his trusted companions behind, in paranoia and bitter anger?
I hadn’t ever heard of Corapi before I came onto this forum last year, so I don’t have the kind of history some of you have with him. I was intrigued by his story and I listened to some of his earlier homilies/talks, and found him to be forthright and open, it seemed. I liked the idea of his being prayed out of darkness. But in the short time I have had any exposure to him, I haven’t had time to really get attached to him the way some people have. I am sorry for those people, who must be feeling very confused by all of this turmoil. To me, he is not acting very much like a holy man right now.
I will continue to pray, and I hope I have not been uncharitable.
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PattiDay
Guest
These are difficult days for Catholics who watched, admired, and perhaps even elevated Father John Corapi to the status of celebrity. Father Corapi’s televised series on the Catechism and numerous retreats over the years inspired many Catholics to learn more about their faith. Too bad that these valuable teaching tools may never be able to be used again because of some of the decisions he has made.
It does seem that the man speaking currently does not have the same eloquence as the priest, but as someone else has written, previously he spoke the Truth of Scripture and the Catechism, while now he speaks of himself.
It is sad to learn that he is leaving the priesthood, as he himself said, Holy Orders confers a character upon the soul that is indelible, and a priest is a priest forever, so it seems one cannot ‘leave’ the priesthood, but only deny it.
John Corapi was lifted out of the gutter. He could not have done it on his own. Pray for him and for all the people who loved and trusted him, and the many who still do, who may be experiencing pain and confusion.
It does seem that the man speaking currently does not have the same eloquence as the priest, but as someone else has written, previously he spoke the Truth of Scripture and the Catechism, while now he speaks of himself.
It is sad to learn that he is leaving the priesthood, as he himself said, Holy Orders confers a character upon the soul that is indelible, and a priest is a priest forever, so it seems one cannot ‘leave’ the priesthood, but only deny it.
John Corapi was lifted out of the gutter. He could not have done it on his own. Pray for him and for all the people who loved and trusted him, and the many who still do, who may be experiencing pain and confusion.
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guanophore
Guest
His ability to function as a priest was taken from him against his will on Ash Wednesday. He has not “denied” anything, but is accepting that the Church has the authority to prevent him from ministering as a priest.
And he decided to prevent the church from ever restoring his faculties last month.
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TonyT
Guest
I have been a longtime supporter of Fr. Corapi and have found all of this extremely troubling. What seems to be missing in all of the discussion is the abandonment to God’s providence that is so necessary for his work. Instead he talks about processes, lawyers, and rights. These things will not save him.
When we think about the many other saints (such as Padre Pio) who faced the same sorts of attacks from their superiors within the Church, none of them responded in this way.
Many of us will remember hearing Fr. Corapi talk about a similar situation faced while still in the seminary. At that time he chose the path of silence in the face of unjust criticism. Humility and faith bore him through in a way that could only be considered miraculous. Is this different?
Fr. Corapi has given up many things for his ministry. It may be that he is being called to surrender all that he has left.
St. Pio, pray for Fr. Corapi, and for us.
When we think about the many other saints (such as Padre Pio) who faced the same sorts of attacks from their superiors within the Church, none of them responded in this way.
Many of us will remember hearing Fr. Corapi talk about a similar situation faced while still in the seminary. At that time he chose the path of silence in the face of unjust criticism. Humility and faith bore him through in a way that could only be considered miraculous. Is this different?
Fr. Corapi has given up many things for his ministry. It may be that he is being called to surrender all that he has left.
St. Pio, pray for Fr. Corapi, and for us.
G
guanophore
Guest
On the advice of his council, both regular and canon attorneys, he accepted that this was not going to happen whether he went forward with the process or not. External sources have confirmed that priest in this situation are rarely ever restored.
I think this is exactly true, and the very reason why he has decided to accept his faculties being suspended. He knows that the process if flawed, and that lawyers, rights, etc. will not restore them. He is well aware that there have been persons in positions of power for many years that want him silenced. He has finally been put out of his ability to function as a priest. They got what they wanted, and will fight to keep it. He has clearly stated that he is not interested in having an adversarial relationship with the Church.
I agree. But, I have never known a priest to be in such a situation before. I am going to give him the benefit of my doubts. If he has taken this course, he has done so because he believes it to be God’s will for him. I know that God can do anything, and that if God wants him to referse or change course, then God can make that clear to him also.
Apparently it must be from his point of view. He has also testified that his time is short, and he does not have much left. He obviously has strong convictions that silence is not the right course of action at this time. His messages have indicated that he has more to say, is willing to go to a wider audience, and that quiet silence would be equivalent to “lie down and die”. If he believes that God is not finished using him yet as a voice, then to be silent would be wrong for him.
Yes. Please join me in prayer, that if this is the case, his Mother will whisper to him until he listens.
Amen.
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CatholicFireman
Guest
A lot of folks (including myself) have compared Fr. Corapi’s situation to St. Pio’s. I can’t help but think that the* reaction *of both priests cannot be compared because both situations occurred at different times (different rules/ways of approaching it) and in different countries (different attitudes). Well, maybe the different country part may not matter.
Just something that came to mind today…
Just something that came to mind today…
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Eliza10
Guest
Actually I was just contemplating this very same thought. The answer seems obvious. (Unless its the alternative you suggest: he has “gone rogue”. Not sure what that means, but anything would be better than what it appears to be)…
I just made this comment on another blog and I’m reprinting it here:
I think that infatuated people are in denial about what is right in front of them.
His foreboding “Black Sheepdog” name, the devilish picture to go with it, his website page (can’t he see that the three logos directly under the sheep are arrange to look like “f”, then an arrow pointing up, then “you”???] with its lack of any recognizable Catholic or Christian symbols on it, all point to the same thing - to the prince of this world, who clearly seems to be the influence behind his revamped public persona.
And that includes his repulsive new look. And it looks like the joke is on Fr. Corapi, because the evil one has inspired him to imitate one of his favorite looks.
I can’t get this out of my mind: fumare.blogspot.com/2010/10/whats-going-on-with-fr-corapi.html
The above was written in October 7 of this year. Here is a report on his Oct. 30. conference from an attendee, “Chris”, who blogged:
“Your NJ event was ridiculous. It was supposed to be about Spiritual warfare and 75% of it was about your gun, your lifestyle, your ranch, your wearing a wire for investigators, then you charge $1000 plate dinner in order to speak with or meet you. You can’t even make your gift of preaching available to people at a decent affordable cost. I’m sorry but you lost your way and following your superiors may in fact help lead you back.”
This report says that how he looks with his new look is how he acts publicly. Not good.The investigation he has done everything to avoid has to do with how he acts in private.
S
sojo
Guest
Eliza - I know that many of us have the same forebodings. But we are trying hard to keep them to ourselves as CAF has strict rules about being charitable, and this dark thought about what’s behind all of this has to be the worst.
But it is hard to get out of one’s mind. I loved him in the habit, and he was awfully dapper in his clericals, but that weird white suit, the fu-manchu dyed beard… and then hardly mention of God or the Blessed Virgin on the website - no holy pictures, no crucifix, just that demonic looking dog. This man spent a lot of time in the world of public relations and marketing - he should know how his website and logo comes across. But apparently, he had it all designed to his specifications.
I have been praying for him, but now I plan to pray even more for his followers. I’m afraid they are seriously deluded to the point of putting their souls at risk.
But it is hard to get out of one’s mind. I loved him in the habit, and he was awfully dapper in his clericals, but that weird white suit, the fu-manchu dyed beard… and then hardly mention of God or the Blessed Virgin on the website - no holy pictures, no crucifix, just that demonic looking dog. This man spent a lot of time in the world of public relations and marketing - he should know how his website and logo comes across. But apparently, he had it all designed to his specifications.
I have been praying for him, but now I plan to pray even more for his followers. I’m afraid they are seriously deluded to the point of putting their souls at risk.
T
TheRealJuliane
Guest
His motto on the new website is:
Truth. Hope. Unleashed.
But whose “truth?” From whom is the “hope” coming? And how was this “dog” ever leashed in the first place, since he volunteered for the priesthood? Actually that one word is possibly the most insulting piece in his whole transformation. Leashed? Did the Virgin Mary ask him to put on a LEASH in order to become a Catholic priest? Was Jesus LEASHED when he came to save our souls? I don’t like this whole metaphor of sheep dogs in the first place, the dogs are not in charge of the sheep, they are merely SERVANTS of the Shepherd and I haven’t heard any of that out of Corapi - of course if he admires this LTC Grossman so very much, there certainly isn’t anything remotely spiritual in that man’s piece about sheep and sheep dogs.
Corapi has chosen the wrong path. He has been hurt and insulted by whatever happened with his ex-employee, and his pride has created all this - maybe it was already waiting to be unveiled and the drama just raised the curtain early, I don’t know. I’m just sorry that this whole mess has played out the way it has, the person who believes himself to be unleashed is not only now leashed but in a very small kennel. My rosaries this week are going to be for Corapi and his admirers.
Truth. Hope. Unleashed.
But whose “truth?” From whom is the “hope” coming? And how was this “dog” ever leashed in the first place, since he volunteered for the priesthood? Actually that one word is possibly the most insulting piece in his whole transformation. Leashed? Did the Virgin Mary ask him to put on a LEASH in order to become a Catholic priest? Was Jesus LEASHED when he came to save our souls? I don’t like this whole metaphor of sheep dogs in the first place, the dogs are not in charge of the sheep, they are merely SERVANTS of the Shepherd and I haven’t heard any of that out of Corapi - of course if he admires this LTC Grossman so very much, there certainly isn’t anything remotely spiritual in that man’s piece about sheep and sheep dogs.
Corapi has chosen the wrong path. He has been hurt and insulted by whatever happened with his ex-employee, and his pride has created all this - maybe it was already waiting to be unveiled and the drama just raised the curtain early, I don’t know. I’m just sorry that this whole mess has played out the way it has, the person who believes himself to be unleashed is not only now leashed but in a very small kennel. My rosaries this week are going to be for Corapi and his admirers.
C
catharina
Guest
Ditto for me - the “dog” analogy doesn’t work.
This is a sad situation. Only prayer will make a difference.
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EZRyder
Guest
History shows us that the church can and has on many occasions.
Has the council of dogma or civil law come forward to indicate this?
I ask because given the circumstances some may not take Corapi at his word.
Secondary evidence may be needed.
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