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

[NeedImprovement]

Every time there is one less active priest in the world, Satan rejoices .

Asserting that Father Corapi was somehow bent on doing his own will , equally implies he was not doing the will of the Holy Spirit. Our Blessed Lord Himself was and still is at times seen as a great Disturber.

One would seem better advised to proceed with caution … before picking up any stones.

…an interesting document at the link below ; followed by an excerpt:

entire document can be read here

Postquam apostoli
Directives for Collaboration among Local Churches
and in particular for a Better Distribution of the Clergy
A Document Issued by the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy
(March 25, 1980)

EXCERPT:

Priests have a worldwide mission

The spiritual gift which a priest receives in sacred ordination “does not fit [him] only for a localized and restricted ministry but for a wide and extensive mission of salvation ‘to the very ends of the earth’ (Acts 1, 8). The priestly office is a sharing in the fullness of the worldwide mission entrusted by Christ to His apostles,” Every priest should cultivate this attitude of openness and availability.

Moreover, if any priest receives a special calling from the Holy Spirit, he should by no means refuse, with the bishop’s consent, to go to another diocese and exercise his ministry there.

In any event, all priests should be sensitive to the needs of the universal Church. Let them, therefore, acquaint themselves with conditions in the missions and in local churches that are experiencing special difficulties. Then they will be able to exhort the faithful to help the Church in her need.

 

[trials]

If I remember correctly, he once said he was named after St. John the Baptist, and the idea of the prophet’s voice in the wilderness preparing the way for the Lord fitted him well in the past.

However, when Jesus came along, St. John was willing to move into obscurity and ultimately martyrdom for the sake of the Lord - “He must increase so I must decrease”. Again I know I may be making the wrong assumption here re: Fr. Corapi, but I do have that uncomfortable feeling as others have noted that he is now through these actions trying to eclipse the message, the Good News. His actions have instead drawn attention to himself, his persona, his “suffering”, and his boldly proclaiming the Good News has been eclipsed by this Black Sheepdog move. Know what I mean? It’s like the man has put himself in front of the message, and was not willing to vanish into obscurity like St. John the Baptist did for the glory of the Lord.

And again, let me point out, I cannot be certain how I would behave in similar circumstances, I am not aware of the whole story, and I am as weak as anything when it comes to my path to holiness. However, because I had such great respect for this priest through his work of glorying God, and knowing how he helped my own knowledge of the faith increase - I feel deeply saddened when I see the fruits that his current direction is bearing.

 

[Shoshana]

Video: ‘professional’ Catholics unfair to Corapi
youtube.com/watch?v=Di538dp9SQk&feature=channel_video_title

 

[MoreMoreMore]

Video: ‘professional’ Catholics unfair to Corapi
youtube.com/watch?v=Di538dp9SQk&feature=channel_video_title

The whole spirit behind this is as disgraceful as it is uncharitable.

This idea that the ‘RealCatholic’-ites support Corapi, and that only the ‘professional’ Catholics doubt Corapi–and that the only reason anyone would criticize the Black Sheep Dawg is for financial profit.

Well, I’m just wondering where my check is from the Liberal Freemasons for serving as a professional Catholic agent provocateur? Hm, Mr. Voris?
**
In fact, talking about professional Catholics, the only two people I see actually earning money by being a Catholic publicly are Voris and Corapi**–not the bishops, the superiors of the SOLT, or the scandal-weary pious faithful.* The irony is that the definition of ‘professional Catholic’ applies perfectly to both Vorapi and Coris. So who’s the ‘professional Catholic’ now, Voris?

• • Who daily endure the outrage and barbs of people who take balanced criticism of Corapi as personal insults.

 

[Shoshana]

The whole spirit behind this is as disgraceful as it is uncharitable.

This idea that the ‘RealCatholic’-ites support Corapi, and that only the ‘professional’ Catholics doubt Corapi–and that the only reason anyone would criticize the Black Sheep Dawg is for financial profit.

Well, I’m just wondering where my check is from the Liberal Freemasons for serving as a professional Catholic agent provocateur? Hm, Mr. Voris?

In fact, talking about professional Catholics, the only two people I see actually earning money by being a Catholic publicly are Voris and Corapi–not the bishops, the superiors of the SOLT, or the scandal-weary pious faithful.* The irony is that the definition of ‘professional Catholic’ applies perfectly to both Vorapi and Coris. So who’s the ‘professional Catholic’ now, Voris?

• • Who daily endure the outrage and barbs of people who take balanced criticism of Corapi as personal insults.

If you would have read the whole thread (threads), you would know that one of them was Mark Shea who deleted the original post he made which…let us say…uncharitable.

This has nothing to do with SOLT or the bishop or whoever else in authority. Be very careful before typing your words out like this…

 

[MoreMoreMore]

If you would have read the whole thread (threads), you would know that one of them was Mark Shea who deleted the original post he made which…let us say…uncharitable.

This has nothing to do with SOLT or the bishop or whoever else in authority. Be very careful before typing your words out like this…

Sorry, I can’t really be bothered to study the minutiae of drama that has ensued from this unfortunate incident–knowing the available facts of Corapi’s convoluted case was work enough.

Regardless, if Mark Shea’s post is a fossil in this 1000+post behemoth–and something which he retracted–why bring up Mr. Voris’ polemic? The onus is on you to connect this with the discussion…

I actually have considered what I’ve said, and my conclusion is as follows: The only relevant people here are the ecclesiastical superiors, Corapi, and us. Mark Shea’s remarks don’t amount to a hill of beans–and I find it pathetic that our professional Catholic pundits are sniping at each other over this (ex: Corapi, Voris, Shea, &c.). This might justify Corapi’s fear that someone is out to get him (i.e., because he can point to Shea’s less-than-kind handling of his very public case), but I don’t see how it affects anything we’ve been discussing?

 

[Shoshana]

Sorry, I can’t really be bothered to study the minutiae of drama that has ensued from this unfortunate incident–knowing the available facts of Corapi’s convoluted case was work enough.

Regardless, if Mark Shea’s post is a fossil in this 1000+post behemoth–and something which he retracted–why bring up Mr. Voris’ polemic? The onus is on you to connect this with the discussion…

quote]

The connection I see is that there is no difference between the bloggers and most of the people on this thread.

We are literally told by Jesus Himself not to criticize priests…I take that to heart. Even if it is private revelation.

God the Father spoke to St. Catherine of Siena about his “ministers,” the priests. She recorded it in her Dialogue:

…[It] is my intention that they be held in due reverence, not for what they are in themselves, but for my sake, because of the authority I have given them. Therefore the virtuous must not lessen their reverence, even should these ministers fall short in virtue. And, as far as the virtues of my ministers are concerned, I have described them for you by setting them before you as stewards of… my Son’s body and blood and of the other sacraments. This dignity belongs to all who are appointed as such stewards, to the bad as well as to the good.

…[Because] of their virtue and because of their sacramental dignity you ought to love them. And you ought to hate the sins of those who live evil lives. But you may not for all that set ourselves up as their judges; this is not my will because they are my Christs, and you ought to love and reverence the authority I have given them.

You know well enough that if someone filthy or poorly dressed were to offer you a great treasure that would give you life, you would not disdain the bearer for love of the treasure, and the lord who had sent it, even though the bearer was ragged and filthy… You ought to despise and hate the ministers’ sins and try to dress them in the clothes of charity and holy prayer and wash away their filth with your tears.

Indeed, I have appointed them and given them to you to be angels on earth and suns, as I have told you. When they are less than that you ought to pray for them. But you are not to judge them. Leave the judging to me, and I, because of your prayers and my own desire, will be merciful to them. 1]
hprweb.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=68:the-danger-of-criticizing-bishops-and-priests-&catid=35lder-articles&Itemid=54

 

[guanophore]

We are literally told by Jesus Himself not to criticize priests…I take that to heart. Even if it is private revelation.

I take it to heart as well, but it also applies as much to the priests, does it not? If a priest were to say, for example, that certain bishops were not good leaders, but were a “waste of oxygen” or something like that, it would be equally uncharitable, I think.

 

[vz71]

I’m not completely clear on whether it was just a suggestion, or whether it was a command - nevertheless, if one is under obedience, suggestions are just as good as commands, are they not?

The SOLT at the time that he joined had no ‘mother house’ for the religious to stay at.

Later, they gained a house and rewrote their constitution to require all of the SOLT to stay there.

At the time, Corapi made an arrangement with the superior of SOLT to be an exception to the rule and stayed out. It has been noted that the superiors at the time did not realize he was planning on staying at his personal residence.

Later, when the superior of SOLT was changed, the request and invitation was sent for Corapi to come join his other SOLT brothers.
I do not believe it was ever made an order.

 

[BirthWorker]

From Raymond Arroyo’s blog, received from SOLT:

Here is the statement that I received this morning:
July 5, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: Rev. Gerard Sheehan, solt Regional Priest Servant Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Robstown, Texas

Fr. John A. Corapi submitted his resignation from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (“SOLT”) early in June. SOLT is a Society of Apostolic Life of Diocesan Right with its regional office in Robstown, Texas.

While SOLT does not typically comment publicly on personnel matters, it recognizes that Fr. John Corapi, through his ministry, has inspired thousands of faithful Catholics, many of whom continue to express their support of him. SOLT also recognizes that Fr. Corapi is now misleading these individuals through his false statements and characterizations. It is for these Catholics that SOLT, by means of this announcement, seeks to set the record straight.

A woman, well known to Fr. John Corapi, mailed SOLT a signed letter detailing allegations of Fr. Corapi’s sexual activity with adult women, abuse of alcohol and drugs, improper sacramental practices, violation of his promise of poverty, and other wrongdoing.

After receiving the allegation, SOLT formed a three person fact-finding team to ensure that it handled this matter in accordance with canonical norms. The team included a priest-canonist, a psychiatrist, and a lawyer. Two were members of religious orders, and one was a lay Catholic. Two were men, and one was a woman. All three have national reputations and substantial experience in ecclesiastical processes related to priest disciplinary issues.

As the Society was engaging this team, Fr. Corapi filed a civil lawsuit against his principal accuser. He contended that she had defamed him and breached her contract. The contract, according to Corapi’s lawsuit, contained a provision binding the woman to silence about him. He offered the woman $100,000 to enter this agreement.

SOLT’s fact-finding team subsequently learned that Fr. Corapi may have negotiated contracts with other key witnesses that precluded them from speaking with SOLT’s fact-finding team. Many of these witnesses likely had key information about the accusations being investigated and declined to answer questions and provide documents.

When the fact-finding team asked Fr. Corapi to dismiss the lawsuit, to forbear from foreclosing his mortgage, and to release her and other individuals from their contractual obligations to remain silent about him, he refused to do so and, through his canonical advocate, stated: “It is not possible for Father Corapi to answer the Commission’s questions at this time.”

SOLT’s fact-finding team has acquired information from Fr. Corapi’s e-mails, various witnesses, and public sources that, together, state that, during his years of public ministry:

He did have sexual relations and years of cohabitation (in California and Montana) with a woman known to him, when the relationship began, as a prostitute; He repeatedly abused alcohol and drugs; He has recently engaged in sexting activity with one or more women in Montana; He holds legal title to over $1 million in real estate, numerous luxury vehicles, motorcycles, an ATV, a boat dock, and several motor boats, which is a serious violation of his promise of poverty as a perpetually professed member of the Society.

SOLT has contemporaneously with the issuance of this press release directed Fr. John Corapi, under obedience, to return home to the Society’s regional office and take up residence there. It has also ordered him, again under obedience, to dismiss the lawsuit he has filed against his accuser.

SOLT’s prior direction to Fr. John Corapi not to engage in any preaching or teaching, the celebration of the sacraments or other public ministry continues. Catholics should understand that SOLT does not consider Fr. John Corapi as fit for ministry.

Father Sheehan will not be available for comments as he is attending the SOLT General Chapter from July 5-23.

I am heartbroken, but not uttely shocked given the events of late.

 

[vz71]

Video: ‘professional’ Catholics unfair to Corapi

youtube.com/watch?v=Di538dp9SQk&feature=channel_video_title

I watched. And throughout the video I kept asking WHO? Give me a name!

But they didn’t. I suspect they couldn’t.

All they have done is throw out a bunch of accusations without any fact at all.
Further they have made certain no one can check their facts.

It is garbage.

 

[BirthWorker]

One of Corapi’s claims is that he was a real estate agent, right?

It would be very interesting if someone who knows how to work the public records system, or whatever’s used to keep track of this information, could try to find a sale by John Corapi.

That would be interesting to see. Having been fiddling in genealogy lately, I looked through records for Fr Corapi’s family. He gives his birthplace as Hudson, NY. Mother’s name was given as Veronica (sounds like Monica) in the Welcome Home book. I cannot see that any Veronica Corapi existed. He has mentioned burying his father on September 11. According to the Social Security death index, no Corapis died anytime immediately preceding 9/11. Public records of his family are elusive.

 

[vz71]

The connection I see is that there is no difference between the bloggers and most of the people on this thread.

We are literally told by Jesus Himself not to criticize priests…I take that to heart. Even if it is private revelation.

The difference here is that for the most part posters here are keeping to the facts and making references that can be checked.

 

[catharina]

From Raymond Arroyo’s blog, received from SOLT:

I am heartbroken, but not uttely shocked given the events of late.

BirthWorker -
Terribly sad report from SOLT
but also quite enlightening.
Thank you for posting it.

 

[debraran]

I guess my gut was sadly right years ago when I returned to the faith and he felt wrong…I always felt bad doubting his conversion story…now I dont.
May God have mercy on him.

 

[Lux_et_veritas]

Shoshana,

It is good that you linked to the very good article by Rev. Thomas G. Morrow, “The Danger of Criticizing Priests and Bishops”.

I am well familiar with this piece and have referred to it in my past writings.

We must keep in mind that what is in the article applies first and foremost to Fr. Corapi’s treatment of the Bishop of Corpus Christi and the Church.

It also applies to media sources and blogs, comboxers who are willing to defend Fr. Corapi all the while denigrating Bishop Mulvey and the episcopacy in general. People think that because Corapi took jabs at certain bishops who didn’t speak out, that it somehow negates the potential for him to have any faults.

In January of 2011, the SOLT and several dioceses, including Corpus Christi, had to deal with the terrible blow that one of the SOLT members was indicted on charges in a murder-for-hire plot. Is it possible that Bishop Mulvey, and the SOLT, still reeling from this unthinkable crime, still awaiting trial, felt they must treat a detailed 3-page letter with seriousness? Is it possible that the SOLT’s constitution calls for an administrative leave during such an investigation - their own press release seems to indicate this.

I believe “the process” is broke and needs to be fixed. However, what has really shocked me is that people are using this as a smoke screen to ignore serious behavioral issues visible in Fr. Corapi on his own website, such as this:

• will be doing, “pretty much the same as before except my topics will be broader, and my audience will be [pause] broader. I didn’t start this. A very, very sick woman, with an axe to grind, filled with hatred, started this. The Church chose to believe her. They threw me under the bus; threw me out like yesterday’s garbage. Well…. I’m not bitter about it. I’m not going to be bitter about it. But I am not going to roll over and die. Indeed, the Black Sheep Dog is not ready to be extinguished. I’ll keep being a promoter of truth, [fanfare music begins], of justice, and of hope. We aren’t finished just yet, so stay with us. God bless until next time.”

In just one paragraph he contradicted himself. He claims he is not bitter, but then he launches an assault on his accuser and the Church. What is more shocking is that his supporters are accepting these divisive words as fact because he himself said it. He is creating disunity - period.

For those willing to accept Corapi at his word, presuming such a moral or ethical breach on the part of Bp Mulvey, and the Church (his words), let me ask this question: Were you there?

It is a subjective statement. There is nothing objective about it.

Thanks be to God, Christ did not take the Corapi approach when He was unjustly accused.*

 

[MoreMoreMore]

From Raymond Arroyo’s blog, received from SOLT:

I am heartbroken, but not uttely shocked given the events of late.

God bless, John Corapi. There’s not a faithful Catholic on this continent who doesn’t find this difficult to read.

Hail Mary!–
Full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst all women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death
Amen.

 

[vz71]

I’m not completely clear on whether it was just a suggestion, or whether it was a command - nevertheless, if one is under obedience, suggestions are just as good as commands, are they not?

I do not believe it was ever made an order.

From Raymond Arroyo’s blog, received from SOLT:
…
SOLT has contemporaneously with the issuance of this press release directed Fr. John Corapi, under obedience, to return home to the Society’s regional office and take up residence there. It has also ordered him, again under obedience, to dismiss the lawsuit he has filed against his accuser.
…

Looks like he is under orders now.

I hope he obeys.

 

[vz71]

God bless, John Corapi. There’s not a faithful Catholic on this continent who doesn’t find this difficult to read.

Hail Mary!–
Full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst all women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death
Amen.

Agreed.

I hope he obeys.
Perhaps if he does they will be able to continue to sell his Catechism series.

 

[MoreMoreMore]

That would be interesting to see. Having been fiddling in genealogy lately, I looked through records for Fr Corapi’s family. He gives his birthplace as Hudson, NY. Mother’s name was given as Veronica (sounds like Monica) in the Welcome Home book. I cannot see that any Veronica Corapi existed. He has mentioned burying his father on September 11. According to the Social Security death index, no Corapis died anytime immediately preceding 9/11. Public records of his family are elusive.

Now that all of this news from SOLT is out in the open, I don’t even want to know how much was truth and how much was lies.

It was a great and refreshing thing to think that a very masculine person, who had success in a diverse range of occupations could turn from his past and become a priest. That (1) his priesthood was compromised by a double life, and (2) significant chunks of his resume might have been imaginary, frankly makes me sad.

He basically used his ministry as a launchpad to find the success he apparently couldn’t achieve without the collar.