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

[Veridical16]

First of all, everyone in the general discussion are very much like jury members sitting on the sidelines (a much more truly democratic process.) So, each person can allow the dust to settle to evaluate the evidence in accordance to the law (or more so in: Love thy God with all your heart, mind, and soul and all your strength; and love thy neighbor.)
Second of all, most of the evidence clearly comes with the strangeness of the whole case.
There is exhibited evidence of Fr. Corapi:

Father Corapi’s management sends a statement pleading to us about the situation for Father’s administrative leave.

An Archidiocesen Priest from Minnesota sends out a statement describing the flaws of the process and the lack of credibility (he advocated praying for everyone involved as well.)

Father begins the blacksheepdog biography and domain amidst the allegations.

Father communicates he is leaving SOLT and the priesthood.

Father acknowledges the details of which he is being accused (those explicity from the 3-person fact finding panel) and files a lawsuit (and communicates this to the public.)

There is the exhibited evidence of SOLT:

The regional servant sends out a message (also asking people to pray) of Fr. Corapi’s administrative leave with: “unbecoming of a priest” (or words to that effect) as a result of a letter of complaint (along with clarifying the Bishop of Corpus Christi only advised SOLT to put Fr. Corapi on administrative leave (which is standard procedure in light ot scandal.)

SOLT’s regional servant sends out another message about offering and advising Father to come to the community. And he communicates (along with mentioning SOLT’s constitutional revisions) and acknowledges Corapi’s leaving the priesthood and SOLT’s cooperation with him.
Later, the SOLT regional sends out much more explicit information of the accusation and details of evidence (from the accuser) reviewed by a 3-person fact finding panel.

What, we as a jury, can and will never know is the actual evidence. We’re, in fact, a hear-say jury of evidence (or a jury of the general public.) And since this a general public jury, there are 3rd, 4th, and so on groups with evidence (bloggers, Apologists, those in media, etc.)

Finally, the evidence doesn’t explain itself and those who are involved must explain (or at least give testimony.) As a result, you have a trial (publicly hear-say.)

Here is what I think:

I don’t believe each side has been truthfully honest (which is quite good, meaning it is quite normal in most common trials.) Because, the stakes are high and each person has a lot to lose.

What I ask are some questions:

As for Father: Why pursuit the blacksheepdog name for sake of leaving the priesthood (at least the gesture in thought and action since God has ordained him through Bl. Pope John Paul II)? What purpose serves the Church in disobeying not so much as poorly guided authority as the Church herself?

What is the necessity of getting agitated with Church authority, the accuser, and putting the accuser and those, who have responsibility, in much more dire and much more duress with attending to Christ’s flock?
. . .

Why weren’t matters handeled with more discretion and due process? Why, as Bishop Gracida pointed out, wasn’t there a much less scandalous (and less damaging) avenue taken to put Father on administrative leave?

Thoughtful run down, CreedalCatholic.

The answer to the last question is Black Sheep Dog panicked after a mere three months of the process.

Father begins the blacksheepdog biography and domain amidst the allegations.

It was pointed out on here by other Catholics, that he even registered or trademarked the Btw Black Sheep Dog, last year.

However one point of contention, that SOLT might not be entirely truthful, Logic tells me, that SOLT would have no gain, or self-interest in putting out the charges if they were exaggerated, or couldn’t determine for themselves his activities were going on under their noses, in fact they struggled to do so, and the statements seem meticulously put together and purposefully brief–matter-of-factly. It even was pointed out, it exposes SOLT for making mistakes by not reining in Corapi sooner, they gave him too much freedom.
They seemed to release the information, with a GOOD in mind. It’s not even an “evil” means, but they had to state the facts they found, emails, etc. So that they could refute Corapi’s actions. They were thinking about the salvation of souls. If they really were trying to “get” Corapi, they would have responded sooner, in a back and forth. It was only after Black Sheep Dog stuff started to get out of hand that forced them to decide with prudence and prayer the right thing to do. Now more people are starting to see Fr. Corapi’s actions in the TRUE context. I trust in trusting the superiors’ wills, over Corapi’s decision making…this is also the extra thing that benefits from us, in that the mystical body of Christ is involved!
Another thing that provides context that Black Sheep Dog’s has less credibility than SOLT ; his 1999 record. Tony Coradi, stuff and evidence of him telling tall tales about his military service. Black Sheep Dog’s own inability to deny or address all the charges on his page.

It seems more farfetched that SOLT would just bluff of all of a sudden and also be dishonest against someone who is already dishonest/not being truthful right now. This is a case where one has to be WRONG, and another one has to be MORE in the right.

Can Satan cast out Satan??

 

[anthony022071]

Father communicates he is leaving SOLT and the priesthood.

Father acknowledges the details of which he is being accused (those explicity from the 3-person fact finding panel) and files a lawsuit (and communicates this to the public.)

There is the exhibited evidence of SOLT:

The regional servant sends out a message (also asking people to pray) of Fr. Corapi’s administrative leave with: “unbecoming of a priest” (or words to that effect) as a result of a letter of complaint (along with clarifying the Bishop of Corpus Christi only advised SOLT to put Fr. Corapi on administrative leave (which is standard procedure in light ot scandal.)

SOLT’s regional servant sends out another message about offering and advising Father to come to the community. And he communicates (along with mentioning SOLT’s constitutional revisions) and acknowledges Corapi’s leaving the priesthood and SOLT’s cooperation with him.

Father Corapi never said he was leaving the priesthood. He has said that he is still a priest. He was only suspended from his public ministry,and he has accepted that decision.
That acceptance has been twisted by reporters and bloggers into the claim that he has or is leaving the priesthood. It is not even clear that he has resigned from SOLT,since Father Sheehan has ordered him on July 5th to come to the regional office.

Why pursuit the blacksheepdog name for sake of leaving the priesthood (at least the gesture in thought and action since God has ordained him through Bl. Pope John Paul II)?

He hasn’t left the priesthood and does not intend on doing so.

What purpose serves the Church in disobeying not so much as poorly guided authority as the Church herself?

He hasn’t disobeyed the Church. SOLT does not represent the Church’s authority.

 

[anthony022071]

It was pointed out on here by other Catholics, that he even registered or trademarked the Btw Black Sheep Dog, last year.

This shows that the website was not created as a reaction to the accusations and suspension. He would have done it even if he had not been accused and suspended.

However one point of contention, that SOLT might not be entirely truthful, Logic tells me, that SOLT would have no gain, or self-interest in putting out the charges if they were exaggerated, or couldn’t determine for themselves his activities were going on under their noses, in fact they struggled to do so, and the statements seem meticulously put together and purposefully brief–matter-of-factly.

False accusations are not only made out of desire for gain and self-intrest,but out of defensiveness and jealousy and malice.

It even was pointed out, it exposes SOLT for making mistakes by not reining in Corapi sooner, they gave him too much freedom.

It was the founder of SOLT,James Flanagan,that gave Father Corapi his freedom.
Father Corapi has always lived independently of SOLT,supporting himself and them financially.

They seemed to release the information, with a GOOD in mind. It’s not even an “evil” means, but they had to state the facts they found, emails, etc. So that they could refute Corapi’s actions. They were thinking about the salvation of souls.

It is evident from Father Corapi’s teachings that he was concerned about the salvation of souls,but what do we know about the character and intentions of those at SOLT who are accusing him?

If they really were trying to “get” Corapi, they would have responded sooner, in a back and forth.

Responded to what? We haven’t seen any evidence that he did what he was accused of.
It’s just charges made by unknown persons,without evidence presented.

It was only after Black Sheep Dog stuff started to get out of hand that forced them to decide with prudence and prayer the right thing to do.

How do you know they acted with prudence and prayer? What do you know about them?

It seems more farfetched that SOLT would just bluff of all of a sudden and also be dishonest against someone who is already dishonest/not being truthful right now.

Why do you assume that he is dishonest and that his accusers are honest?

 

[Teelynn]

This shows that the website was not created as a reaction to the accusations and suspension. He would have done it even if he had not been accused and suspended.

False accusations are not only made out of desire for gain and self-intrest,but out of defensiveness and jealousy and malice.

It was the founder of SOLT,James Flanagan,that gave Father Corapi his freedom.
Father Corapi has always lived independently of SOLT,supporting himself and them financially.

It is evident from Father Corapi’s teachings that he was concerned about the salvation of souls,but what do we know about the character and intentions of those at SOLT who are accusing him?

Responded to what? We haven’t seen any evidence that he did what he was accused of.
It’s just charges made by unknown persons,without evidence presented.

How do you know they acted with prudence and prayer? What do you know about them?

Why do you assume that he is dishonest and that his accusers are honest?

This is my question, Anthony, so many believe that this evidence they have is conclusive and beyond a shadow of a doubt. If SOLT really believes this, and Fr. is not cooperating with them, why are they “demanding” that he come back to community? Why are they “demanding” that he drop this civil lawsuit? To me, this is not a normal reaction. Why on earth don’t they just cut him loose? That would be the tell tale that Fr. is off the rail at least in MHO. They have been fighting with him for far too long. They needed to make a statement and then cut him loose. But they’re not. They are still trying to reign him in. To shut him up. In Fr.s past preaching days, no one can argue the fact that he proclaimed the truth about the Catholic Church. Whether or not he LIVED THE TRUTH is anyone’s guess, but he did PREACH THE TRUTH. He did not preach liberation theology that we (or at least I) have heard from the pulpit from so many over the years to lead souls to hell. So why are they so worried about souls? THERE ARE STILL SO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS.

It is peculiar that they come out with all this and then are “unavailable” for 3 weeks. How convenient. I’m not saying Fr. is innocent of charges. Who would really know? But SOLT’S reaction is very peculiar to me at best.

Someone is lying, maybe there is non truth on both sides, but that is still to be determined. I don’t think things are as they appear.

 

[debraran]

I will not think that a group of priests made up things about Father, that is more scandelous than all the other things. I think, whether it was prudent or not, it was their “tough love”. If they cut him loose, they would be leaving the lamb and not trying to bring him back. He asked to leave, but to make it official he has to do the paperwork, etc

I know people see what they want to see, but anyone looking at John Corapi in his last video and doesn’t see a depressed, sad, maybe sick man, is blind in my eyes. He needs prayers but he needs physcial help that I hope he gets. I was a lost sheep once and Christ was there, he will be for him too…

 

[Teelynn]

I will not think that a group of priests made up things about Father, that is more scandelous than all the other things. I think, whether it was prudent or not, it was their “tough love”. If they cut him loose, they would be leaving the lamb and not trying to bring him back. He asked to leave, but to make it official he has to do the paperwork, etc

I know people see what they want to see, but anyone looking at John Corapi in his last video and doesn’t see a depressed, sad, maybe sick man, is blind in my eyes. He needs prayers but he needs physcial help that I hope he gets. I was a lost sheep once and Christ was there, he will be for him too…

No, I am not at all saying that a group of priests made up things about Corapi. What I am saying is that people THINK they have all the facts when in fact they really DO NOT. People are judging this situation on “he said she said”. Fr. C may indeed be a very sick man…he needs our prayers. He appears to be not well. At the same time his community is doing some very peculiar things. THERE ARE ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO A STORY. Anyone in this day and age after all the Church has been through that blindly trusts any clergy without careful discernment has not yet taken the blinders off. All I am saying is that the reactions of his community seem to be off. Why??? No one knows the heart or motivation of another. Only the dear Lord knows that. I do not see this situation as black and white. I see a very disturbed man that yes indeed is in need of help. I also see his community that is saying that they want him back in the fold out of one side of their mouth, and annihilating him out of the other. People are saying that they needed to refute his complaint against them. You refute it by spilling the beans (publically no less) of all that his accuser has come up with? SOLT SAYS that they have not had all the information until now. They say that they were STOPPED with the investigation when he proceeded with a civil suit. NOW THEY ARE SAYING they have indeed proceeded with the investigation and this is what they have come up with. 2 + 2 is not equalling 4 here.

WE YET DO NOT HAVE ALL THE FACTS…I AM NOT SURE WE EVER WILL.

 

[debraran]

Maybe when their seminar is over your might. I’m sure they were inundated with emails, calls, etc. from what the fans were saying, silience sometimes makes people think they were right. You can argue the approach, but it did seem to curtail the risng support and they didn’t want the sheep blinded by their love of the speaker. He didn’t call them liars unless I misread, he didn’t say much of anything. The “with her” seems to single out one person.

I feel for him, if my sins were hung up on the porch, I’d be mortified, but he is in the public eye and that is part of the package as they say.

 

[Teelynn]

Maybe when their seminar is over your might. I’m sure they were inundated with emails, calls, etc. from what the fans were saying, silience sometimes makes people think they were right. You can argue the approach, but it did seem to curtail the risng support and they didn’t want the sheep blinded by their love of the speaker. He didn’t call them liars unless I misread, he didn’t say much of anything. The “with her” seems to single out one person.

I feel for him, if my sins were hung up on the porch, I’d be mortified, but he is in the public eye and that is part of the package as they say.

I will not make a decision until more is actually known. I do think Fr. is in great need of help. I also thing his community is doing him no favors. One way or the other, I am afraid he is ruined. If he goes back to community, he will never be heard from again. If not, we might have to watch him slowly decay. It is a loose loose situation.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

My understanding is that he is not a Catholic, but a schismatic. He is a member of the sedevacantist movement, yes?

In fact, I learned this on Catholic Answers Live when Patrick Coffin mentioned it, along with Jimmy Akin.

I didn’t know this, I really haven’t kept up with Gibson’s antics over the years. But thanks for the info.

 

[guanophore]

And, apparently, his god-daughter.



Here’s something that is troubling to me. Every communication from The Black Sheepdog, formerly known as Fr. Corapi, has included some iteration of “I won’t lie down and die,” or “…crawl under a rock and die.” He has stated these things each time he speaks, and now again in his video. What could this mean? It is an understandable thing to say once, but over and over again? It’s almost like a code he is repeating again and again, so that we hear it and understand. Or maybe his followers know the code.

All I know is that it is very odd how many times he has said, “They want me to lie down and die, but I won’t.”

I think this is really the crux of the matter. No one can live a life he had pre-ordination without collecting significant emotional and spiritual baggage. In order for the soul to be perfected, the ego has to be smashed. Either we throw ourselves upon Christ, and allow Him to pulverize us into powder so that He can remake the vessel to His use, or He is the Rock which crushes. Either way, the ego has to submit to the Holy Spirit. In truth, it is a death experience, and even more frightening for those who are depending upon ego.

Luke 20:18

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

Phil 1:20-22
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

It seems as though God is calling him to lay down attachment to independence and material goods, and he is kicking against the goads.

What I don’t understand is Fr. C assumes (based on his response) that complying to be in community is the same as “crawling under a rock and die.” If such is the case, then why do we have so many happy religious people in community. Why not trust in God that we will grow holy, and spiritually fruitful in the community rather than venturing on our own? Since it is Christ speaking thru his superiors.

I think because his whole sense of identity has been wrapped up in his public persona. Relinquishing it leaves him without a sense of self, perhaps? This is just a common human experience, and it has been duly noted that he seems to be having a midlife crisis. It is a developmental stage for human persons. This dying expereince can be terrifying for some individuals, especially those with powerful inner work that needs to be done. It can foster anxiety attacks and intense fears.

 

[Marie5890]

I think this is really the crux of the matter. No one can live a life he had pre-ordination without collecting significant emotional and spiritual baggage. In order for the soul to be perfected, the ego has to be smashed. Either we throw ourselves upon Christ, and allow Him to pulverize us into powder so that He can remake the vessel to His use, or He is the Rock which crushes. Either way, the ego has to submit to the Holy Spirit. In truth, it is a death experience, and even more frightening for those who are depending upon ego.

Luke 20:18

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

Phil 1:20-22
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

It seems as though God is calling him to lay down attachment to independence and material goods, and he is kicking against the goads.

I think because his whole sense of identity has been wrapped up in his public persona. Relinquishing it leaves him without a sense of self, perhaps? This is just a common human experience, and it has been duly noted that he seems to be having a midlife crisis. It is a developmental stage for human persons. This dying expereince can be terrifying for some individuals, especially those with powerful inner work that needs to be done. It can foster anxiety attacks and intense fears.

Guanophone,
Very thoughtful and insightful post.
Thank you.

 

[mom4mary]

The title of this thread is false. Father Corapi has never said he is leaving the priesthood.

Yes, he did. And judging by the content and visuals of his latest video message, he wasn’t kidding.

 

[rayne89]

This is my question, Anthony, so many believe that this evidence they have is conclusive and beyond a shadow of a doubt. If SOLT really believes this, and Fr. is not cooperating with them, why are they “demanding” that he come back to community? Why are they “demanding” that he drop this civil lawsuit? To me, this is not a normal reaction. Why on earth don’t they just cut him loose? That would be the tell tale that Fr. is off the rail at least in MHO. They have been fighting with him for far too long.

So when a sheep stray’s the shepherd just cuts him loose? I don’t find it peculiar at all. I think it was a last ditch effort to try to save John Corapi from himself. I think they were reaching out, hoping against hope that he may actually obey.

All the particulars I believe were to open the eyes to those blindly following him. To those that see him as a faithful priest or saw him as faithful priest who was being attacked by the “evil” hierarchy of the Church and a crazed alcoholic. Whether he spoke the truth about the Catholic faith, he was not living the truth. Yes we are all sinners. Yes we all fall. But John Corapi is still denying. I can not believe that SOLT would release that kind of detail without very solid evidence. Some of a paper trail is available online alone.

What I saw in the latest video is a man who wanted out of the priesthood long ago. A man who doesn’t want to follow the promises of obedience, of poverty -and though unsaid most likely of chastity. He wants to be lay person, he wants to be a commentator, an author. He wants to use his business savvy to be a successful business man free from the constraints of the priesthood. He realizes his following is slipping away from him and he probably realizes more and more of the truth will surface.

Its possible and in my opinion likely this man, as wonderful as he was at preaching the Gospel, never had a true calling to the priesthood. In his statements over the last few weeks he doesn’t place a big importance on his losing his ability to confect the sacraments. He could have preached the truth as a lay apologist. And at this point in the game looking back, he probably should have. Being a priest set him apart, made him more visable, got the respect (and possibly adoration) of lay Catholics that lay apologists don’t get. He came into before the explosion of the priest scandals.It’s possible that the appeal of the respect and adoration gave him a false calling.

Even if SOLT doesn’t have all the facts, whatever they do have is strong enough for them to confidently make such bold statements. I think at this point John Corapi’s impact on the laity will be small. 5,000 fans? Average Joe’s have more on youtube or facebook. The more he moves away from the priesthood the more the Orthodox Catholics still following him will turn away. And those that continue are like cult members who can’t be reasoned with.

 

[mom4mary]

I will not think that a group of priests made up things about Father, that is more scandelous than all the other things.

I know people see what they want to see, but anyone looking at John Corapi in his last video and doesn’t see a depressed, sad, maybe sick man, is blind in my eyes. He needs prayers but he needs physcial help that I hope he gets. I was a lost sheep once and Christ was there, he will be for him too…

Debraran, thank you for your post. I feel the same way.

Yes, people will see what they want to see, but I think whether one supports Fr. Corapi’s future plans as the Black SheepDog or believes he should return to his Order, it is pretty hard - if not impossible - to not see that there are very big problems and questions of a moral and ethical nature surrounding Fr. Corapi’s conduct as a priest that, until resolved, bring into question his fitness for the priesthood.

One of the biggest charges leveled at the Church during the priest sex abuse scandals was that priests about whom accusations had been made were not suspended and/or removed from ministry while allegations against them were investigated, but were instead allowed to continue in priestly ministry and as a result in some cases, this resulted in further misconduct on the part of some of those priests. SOLT has removed Fr. Corapi from active ministry while attempting to investigate allegations of a grave nature against him, and now SOLT is being accused of not giving him the benefit of the doubt, that they never should have suspended him in the first place. I don’t get it. In the eyes of some, the Church is never right in her approach to this matters, no matter what she does.

As I look at Fr. Corapi’s situation, I often think about St. John Bosco, and how some brother priests within the Church conspired against him because of jealousy, etc. St. John Bosco did not react the way Fr. Corapi is acting, instead he submitted to the superiors above him, even when it was clearly unjust and imperfect. Those St. John Bosco surrounded himself with likewise did not encourage him to rebel, as I see many Catholics encouraging Fr. Corapi in his rebellion as The Black SheepDog. In the end, this is why I cannot support what Fr. Corapi/The Black SheepDog is doing right now. Pray for him yes, but support him, no. Scripture tells us that when Our Lord Jesus Christ stood before Pilate, that “He opened not His mouth, as a lamb led to the slaughter,” yet Fr. Corapi has not ceased to tell us how he “will not just crawl under a rock and die,” and “will not be extinguished.” The disparity is just too great for me to believe that God is now calling him to abandon his priestly vows to become “The Black SheepDog”. It seems more likely that Fr. Corapi is just not willing to step out of the limelight to which he has become so accustomed long enough for the canonical process within the Church to play out.

 

[valient_Lucy]

So when a sheep stray’s the shepherd just cuts him loose? I don’t find it peculiar at all. I think it was a last ditch effort to try to save John Corapi from himself. I think they were reaching out, hoping against hope that he may actually obey.

All the particulars I believe were to open the eyes to those blindly following him. To those that see him as a faithful priest or saw him as faithful priest who was being attacked by the “evil” hierarchy of the Church and a crazed alcoholic. Whether he spoke the truth about the Catholic faith, he was not living the truth. Yes we are all sinners. Yes we all fall. But John Corapi is still denying. I can not believe that SOLT would release that kind of detail without very solid evidence. Some of a paper trail is available online alone.

What I saw in the latest video is a man who wanted out of the priesthood long ago. A man who doesn’t want to follow the promises of obedience, of poverty -and though unsaid most likely of chastity. He wants to be lay person, he wants to be a commentator, an author. He wants to use his business savvy to be a successful business man free from the constraints of the priesthood. He realizes his following is slipping away from him and he probably realizes more and more of the truth will surface.

Its possible and in my opinion likely this man, as wonderful as he was at preaching the Gospel, never had a true calling to the priesthood. In his statements over the last few weeks he doesn’t place a big importance on his losing his ability to confect the sacraments. He could have preached the truth as a lay apologist. And at this point in the game looking back, he probably should have. Being a priest set him apart, made him more visable, got the respect (and possibly adoration) of lay Catholics that lay apologists don’t get. He came into before the explosion of the priest scandals.It’s possible that the appeal of the respect and adoration gave him a false calling.

Even if SOLT doesn’t have all the facts, whatever they do have is strong enough for them to confidently make such bold statements. I think at this point John Corapi’s impact on the laity will be small. 5,000 fans? Average Joe’s have more on youtube or facebook. The more he moves away from the priesthood the more the Orthodox Catholics still following him will turn away. And those that continue are like cult members who can’t be reasoned with.

Very well said.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Debraran, thank you for your post. I feel the same way.

Yes, people will see what they want to see, but I think whether one supports Fr. Corapi’s future plans as the Black SheepDog or believes he should return to his Order, it is pretty hard - if not impossible - to not see that there are very big problems and questions of a moral and ethical nature surrounding Fr. Corapi’s conduct as a priest that, until resolved, bring into question his fitness for the priesthood.

One of the biggest charges leveled at the Church during the priest sex abuse scandals was that priests about whom accusations had been made were not suspended and/or removed from ministry while allegations against them were investigated, but were instead allowed to continue in priestly ministry and as a result in some cases, this resulted in further misconduct on the part of some of those priests. SOLT has removed Fr. Corapi from active ministry while attempting to investigate allegations of a grave nature against him, and now SOLT is being accused of not giving him the benefit of the doubt, that they never should have suspended him in the first place. I don’t get it. In the eyes of some, the Church is never right in her approach to this matters, no matter what she does.

As I look at Fr. Corapi’s situation, I often think about St. John Bosco, and how some brother priests within the Church conspired against him because of jealousy, etc. St. John Bosco did not react the way Fr. Corapi is acting, instead he submitted to the superiors above him, even when it was clearly unjust and imperfect. Those St. John Bosco surrounded himself with likewise did not encourage him to rebel, as I see many Catholics encouraging Fr. Corapi in his rebellion as The Black SheepDog. In the end, this is why I cannot support what Fr. Corapi/The Black SheepDog is doing right now. Pray for him yes, but support him, no. Scripture tells us that when Our Lord Jesus Christ stood before Pilate, that “He opened not His mouth, as a lamb led to the slaughter,” yet Fr. Corapi has not ceased to tell us how he “will not just crawl under a rock and die,” and “will not be extinguished.” The disparity is just too great for me to believe that God is now calling him to abandon his priestly vows to become “The Black SheepDog”. It seems more likely that Fr. Corapi is just not willing to step out of the limelight to which he has become so accustomed long enough for the canonical process within the Church to play out.

Once again, well said.

 

[Miriam1947]

If you get a chance any of you to watch EWTN’s Holy Hour for Priests, it is wonderful.

We need to pray for Father Corapi and all our priests. Daily.

 

[valient_Lucy]

I think this is really the crux of the matter. No one can live a life he had pre-ordination without collecting significant emotional and spiritual baggage. In order for the soul to be perfected, the ego has to be smashed. Either we throw ourselves upon Christ, and allow Him to pulverize us into powder so that He can remake the vessel to His use, or He is the Rock which crushes. Either way, the ego has to submit to the Holy Spirit. In truth, it is a death experience, and even more frightening for those who are depending upon ego.

Luke 20:18

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

Phil 1:20-22
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

It seems as though God is calling him to lay down attachment to independence and material goods, and he is kicking against the goads.

I think because his whole sense of identity has been wrapped up in his public persona. Relinquishing it leaves him without a sense of self, perhaps? This is just a common human experience, and it has been duly noted that he seems to be having a midlife crisis. It is a developmental stage for human persons. This dying expereince can be terrifying for some individuals, especially those with powerful inner work that needs to be done. It can foster anxiety attacks and intense fears.

Yeah, it certainly does seem that his whole identity and sense of purpose was wrapped up in his public celebrity. It almost seems like what happens when a professional athlete is forced to retire because of injury.

It struck me also that he seems to imply that a “hidden life” is not useful to spreading to Gospel. The Church doesn’t think so, otherwise St. Therese wouldn’t be the patron saint of missionaries. She locked herself up from the rest of the world!

 

[catharina]

So when a sheep stray’s the shepherd just cuts him loose? I don’t find it peculiar at all. I think it was a last ditch effort to try to save John Corapi from himself. I think they were reaching out, hoping against hope that he may actually obey.

Agree.

 

[Marie5890]

If you get a chance any of you to watch EWTN’s Holy Hour for Priests, it is wonderful.

We need to pray for Father Corapi and all our priests. Daily.

I did. It was originally broadcast yesterday afternoon and I think has been repeated a couple of times.

I would expect (hope?) that it will find it’s way to the youtube.com/ewtn site for those who may be interested.