New SOLT Statement re: Father Corapi

  • Thread starter Thread starter _Abyssinia
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Looks like the reply of Fr. Corapi to the allegations:
I am going to answer in a simple, straight forward way what seem to me the main elements of the action taken against me by the Diocese of Corpus Christi and the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.
Click to expand...
Regarding my personal financial situation—From the earliest days (more than twenty years ago) the Founder of the Society of Our Lady, Fr. James Flanagan, encouraged me to support myself and the Church as well. He said they could not afford to support my ministry and me personally because of the unique nature of the mission. At every step of the way, through the entire past twenty years, the Society of Our Lady’s leadership knew of my financial independence. As Fr. Flanagan encouraged, I have supported SOLT and myself from ‘day-one.‘ I have never relied on the Society for shelter, clothing, transportation, medical care, or legal counsel and instead, using my history of success in business, set up my mission as any savvy business man would, meanwhile continuing to support the Society and many other Catholic Charities.
Click to expand...
Regarding the charge of sexual impropriety—This song of greed has been sung many times before. I have never had any promiscuous or even inappropriate relations with her. Never.
Click to expand...
Regarding the investigation—As standard practice, my legal counsel advised me not to cooperate with the investigation until I was able to determine that the Commission’s process was fair and I had adequate rights to defend myself. Questions that certainly qualify the validity of any legal case have never been answered by the so called “fact finding team.” They refuse to reveal, and therefore utilize, any of the so-called evidence perhaps because if ‘the bad guy’ were truly revealed it may be revealed that he is really not that bad. Clearly, as my legal counsel has portrayed, the evidence supplied by the accused (of which my counsel is not permitted access to) must not have any substance.
Click to expand...
Regarding ‘hush money’—I never paid anybody off to remain silent. On two occasions there were standard severance agreements executed with former employees and independent contractors. These agreements contained very common non-disclosure provisions. Any attorney who would not include such provisions in such agreements would rightly be guilty of negligent and actionable conduct.
Click to expand...
Regarding my resignation—I resigned because the process used by the Church is grossly unjust, and, hence, immoral. I resigned because I had no chance from the beginning of a fair and just hearing. As I have indicated from the beginning of all this, I am not extinguished! If I were to commit to the suggestion of the Society, then I would essentially crawl under a rock and wait to die. However, I can not deny this desire to share aspects of Truth and Hope with all those willing to hear. This is what I shall continue to fight for! Many are not going to appreciate this decision, and I respect that. For those who can accept it, onward!
Click to expand...
 
jwinch2 said:
Well, it appears to be more of the same from my perspective. And it certainly does not indicate obedience to his legitimate superiors. Unfortunately, I believe it will simply be fuel to the fire for those who have been defending him.
Click to expand...
This appears to be a “he said, she said” case which is hard to prove.
 
jwinch2 said:
Well, it appears to be more of the same from my perspective. And it certainly does not indicate obedience to his legitimate superiors. Unfortunately, I believe it will simply be fuel to the fire for those who have been defending him.
Click to expand...
I don’t see how anyone can read the lawsuit that has been filed and not be suspicious.

It clearly states several times that the allegations are cutting into his PROFITS, which he makes by preaching the gospel.

I also find item 12 interesting:
  1. Santa Cruz Media, Inc.'s revenues and success depend on Corapi’s reputation, his
    position as a Priest in good standing with the Catholic Church and the presence of his television and radio prograrnming on the EWTN television network and radio stations across the country.
How is it that, in May, he was able to recognize this fact well enough to put it in a legal document, but by June suddenly he decides he can have success without that reputation, identity as a priest, and being in good standing with the Church?

I think what he has written here is very true, and by setting it aside, he has thrown away all that which he hoped to gain.
 
ComputerGeek25 said:
This appears to be a “he said, she said” case which is hard to prove.
Click to expand...
???

One has religious authority (the community of SOLT).

The other has the obligation of obedience (Fr. Corapi).

That’s very far from a “he said, she said” status.
 
NewEnglandPries said:
In defense of priests/deacons preaching, most people in the pews know nothing about the Fr. Corapi situation. My parish has 2500 families and I’d bet no more than 100 of them know anything about this situation.
Click to expand...
This is sad because it means most people don’t listen to EWTN. Our parish had his CD’s, along with other speakers, in the back of church for $5.00.

Many of the people in my parish were at the conference in St. Louis last year.

The conference really blew me away. I loved most of his message, but his appearance and body guards turned me off. He talked a lot about himself, his vitamin D deficiency, his guns and dogs, people attacking him, trying to kill him. He talked about women trying to seduce him. Until he mentioned it at the conference, I didn’t know he lived “alone” in Montana. It was all weird and unpriestlike.

My mom has vitamin d deficiency, and she didn’t have to go to the Mayo Clinic to get her diagnosis and treatment of one pill per month.

I didn’t feel I could say anything about it, though, without looking like I was judging him. I kept silent.

I’m one of those who feels betrayed and shocked by his outrageous hypocrisy and lies.

I’m praying for him and all priests.
 
The comments on the blacksheepdog website in response to his statements are interesting. About 50/50 supportive and against.
 
Let’s boil the whole things down to what it really says:

“Non serviam.”
 
guanophore said:
I don’t see how anyone can read the lawsuit that has been filed and not be suspicious.

It clearly states several times that the allegations are cutting into his PROFITS, which he makes by preaching the gospel.

I also find item 12 interesting:
  1. Santa Cruz Media, Inc.'s revenues and success depend on Corapi’s reputation, his
    position as a Priest in good standing with the Catholic Church and the presence of his television and radio prograrnming on the EWTN television network and radio stations across the country.
How is it that, in May, he was able to recognize this fact well enough to put it in a legal document, but by June suddenly he decides he can have success without that reputation, identity as a priest, and being in good standing with the Church?

I think what he has written here is very true, and by setting it aside, he has thrown away all that which he hoped to gain.
Click to expand...
To be fair the fact that Santa Cruz media was for profit has been known for quit some time. At least 1.5 years by me. He in the past has said part of the reason was to not be silenced on certain topics like abortion due to being a non-profit. Also heads on non-profits can make pretty hefty salaries too. Not saying this is a good thing, it is just not new information.

As far as the language in the lawsuit, that is standard damages type language. It would not read much if any different if i was a non-profit entity. Perhaps revenue vs. profit? The term profit can be a little misleading, lots of non-profits make “profit sharing” contributions to 401(k) accounts for example. In order to win the lawsuit his lawyers have to prove damages.

To be clear, I am not defending him and am not happy with things continuing in this direction.
 
qui_est_ce said:
I’m one of those who feels betrayed and shocked by his outrageous hypocrisy and lies.

I’m praying for him and all priests.
Click to expand...
And there are many of us who are praying for you and others who feel that deep sense of betrayal.

:console:
 
In the fourth paragraph of today’s statement, which starts as saying…“Regarding the investigation…”, he seems to be treating or seeing the investigation by SOLT as a sort of civil or secular legal court case, when it isn’t one. Maybe I’m off base here, but it seems odd that he uses terms and phrases such as…“My legal counsel advised me,” and “qualify the validity of any legal case.”
It isn’t a civil court case; it’s an investigation by an order of religious (if that’s the proper description of SOLT). He’s acting like he’s being accused of a crime when in fact he’s being accused of behavior unbecoming of a priest. Maybe he always wanted to be involved in law practice, because he’s making such a big deal about his “rights.” Not that he doesn’t have rights, but it’s not the same, I don’t think, as rights in a civil case. It kind of has a John Grisham air about it all.

That being said, so many more prayers are needed. For those of us who were hoping for some sort of resolution today, it’s sad that that’s not going to happen.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top