New SOLT Statement re: Father Corapi

[sojo]

and shocking to think he was probably doing all this while giving the conference. the human condition is a sad, pathetic thing. . . which is why i distrust all clergy.

Oh please, don’t let yourself be discouraged to the point of distrusting all clergy! The reason so many of us Catholics are shocked and scandalized is precisely because we have experienced so many more self-sacrificing priests, bishops, and religious… as well as deacons, catechists, and the countless volunteers that make up our Church.

As we speak, SOLT is meeting in chapter and discussing how to tighten up their administration to prevent this kind of thing from happening again.

And though many of us (me, especially) worry about the short-term harm this man has caused our Church, we are all firm in our belief that that in the long term, Satan will not prevail against us - we “stand on” that promise given to us by Christ. As some blogger stated, “I know how this ends, I read the book.”

I know it also hurts some of our boardies here to criticize a priest - as she said, she wasn’t taught to ever do that. But to not stand up for what is right and just is to just let the BSD continue to mislead his loyal fans and possibly harm their immortal souls. And if he is now unleashed to “preach” to non-Catholics as well, how many folks will be harmed? Possibly mortal harm? This is too serious to just be quiet and look away in some misguided sense of charity and propriety.

And thank you to the one person who told me to try and relax as John Corapi isn’t really as well known and influential as he and his fans may think. Today, we went to the pool club we belong to. A huge majority of the small membership are Catholic, and I asked everyone I spoke to if they were following the scandal. Not a one - NOT ONE! - knew who he was. Most are extremely pious and many daily communicants. But the only cable or satellite stations that carry EWTN include it in their deluxe packages only, and most consider it obscene to pay $70-80 a month for TV. One lady thought she remembered, “a creepy, loud-mouth guy who liked to yell a lot and seemed to think too highly of himself,” but she couldn’t be sure it was John Corapi.

I came home much relieved. But I’m still praying like crazy for the folks who irrationally follow him like some sort of lunatic cult. I said that before and stand by it. They are trusting one man over our holy mother Church and putting aside everything we’ve learned to accept about our Church being guided by the Holy Spirit. Make no mistake about it, this is schism in the making.

 

[NguyenKimPhat]

Why does everybody act as if Corapi has done anything wrong? He himself STILL claims to be innocent of the charges/claims against him by S.O.L.T.

I constantly read people saying how Corapi has fallen, but he himself, on the blacksheepdog website claims to be innocent of the charges against him. Why don’t people recognize that it is only HIS WORD AGAINST THEIRS - is there any evidence that Corapi did something wrong? Is there any evidence that he was guilty of the charges brought against him (drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, financial abuse) ?

Yes, I understand that the bishops of SOLT released a statement revealing the alleged crimes of Corapi, but Corapi HIMSELF has responded saying that he HIMSELF is innocent.

Corapi has NEVER admitted guilt in any of these trials!!!

**We cannot know for sure whether or not Corapi is innocent or guilty until Corapi HIMSELF publicly admits and apologizes !!!
**

 

[Lauris]

I am very sad to hear the news about Fr. Corapi, he definately is a great teacher, speaker and evangelist!!! I am sadden to hear he has fallen away. I was really involved with his ministry, and series on different subjects. I learned quite a bit from his ministry, however I agree that you can see his narcissim come out several times during his sermons;- how he always mentioned his degrees, his smirk (he knows how smart he is). That is fine, we all have personality traits- and yes even narcissits are needed in this wrold. (many of our bishops display intellectual narcissim)
I was about to spend over 500.00 dlss on his videos, but I held back due to 2 reasons. On one of his sermons he talked about how a nun became strayed & left her calling, he discussed how he brought her back etc. I was bother with how much detailed he shared with his audience, he gave specifics then stated “and no one knows who she is”… but if you pay attention and you followed his speeches, you can figure out who the women is. I thought this was very distasteful. At a different time you could tell he had dyed his beared, modified the look of his eyebrows etc… I sensed he was getting lost. I, however never imagined he was so lost!!!

Maybe if we as the faithful church prayed more for our priests, & church they could have a better fight against the attacks of our wrold. I’d like to invite all the faithful to pray for our priest and our church, our leaders need our prayers. God Bless. Hail Mary…Our Father, Glory Be… St Michael the Archangel protect us…

 

[sojo]

i am not sure this statement could really be categorized as a “surprise”.

it gave people the impression that he would be announcing something new.

i wish he would just be quiet.

You read my mind! I was just thinking, “I’m tired of this man, this situation, this scandal – I just wish he and all of it would just go away.”

And I confess, I’m also tired of praying for him. I pray mostly for those he has and is deceiving, and I pray for SOLT and the bishops, and I pray for our dear Church which is enduring it all. And then I force myself to say a prayer for Fr. Corapi because it is the Christian thing to do. But I’m embarrassed to admit… I’m just not feeling it anymore. I’m angry. I’d like to think it is righteous anger. But its anger nonetheless.

 

[Veridical16]

Yes, but I never heard him tell it in a way that indicated he was told he should not become a priest because of his past.

Yeah, I rewatched two clips one 57:00 minute one (I had to skip, he does talk about himself only a lot) and the 10:00 one, I think I heard a version of his conversion story on the radio first… I got the impression that the elderly priest expressed doubt. In both videos I get that. He does make fun of the Elderly priest. Imitates him shocked and shaking, “well…all things are possible with God” the crowd laughs and eats it up. God knows if the priest was troubled.

There is something that I found lacking in his conversion story, in that he fast forwards from the dramatic confession to get to John Paul II, in his speeches he gives, talks a lot in detail about his past.
Sounds like he decided to become a priest by an arbitrary decision in his conversion story. Who knows.

We know it’s possible for priests to get through the cracks. Obviously Corapi has done an unnecessary scandal. So I think the priests response was appropriate, with all those sins. I was mistaken that he was acting deliberately disobedient though from that story.

 

[Veridical16]

You read my mind!

And I confess, I’m also tired of praying for him. I pray mostly for those he has and is deceiving, and I pray for SOLT and the bishops, and I pray for our dear Church which is enduring it all. I’m angry. I’d like to think it is righteous anger. But its anger nonetheless.

I was angry yesterday , Sojo. I think it’s more charitable to be upset (prudently of course) by his behavior these last two weeks, than to be indifferent and pretend he’s doing no wrong.

I was just thinking, “I’m tired of this man, this situation, this scandal – I just wish he and all of it would just go away.”

Just give it over to God. It’s easy to be frustrated , or sick of the actions of his perpetuating it through the BS-Dog website, but give it to God. Also , feelings aren’t sinful. Just don’t entertain any ill will or resentment for Corapi the person, as God is most just and merciful…

And then I force myself to say a prayer for Fr. Corapi because it is the Christian thing to do. But I’m embarrassed to admit… I’m just not feeling it anymore.

Yeah, pray in General for priests and others, don’t focus on just him. I pray to Mary to bring back the dissident priests to repentance.
God can bring out a greater good. I think moments like these allow us lay people to wake up and be more aware and find solace in the everlasting waters that you can only find from what Christ talked about to the woman at the well…this experience helps lay people not to be deceived in the future.

 

[catharina]

You read my mind! I was just thinking, “I’m tired of this man, this situation, this scandal – I just wish he and all of it would just go away.”

And I confess, I’m also tired of praying for him. I pray mostly for those he has and is deceiving, and I pray for SOLT and the bishops, and I pray for our dear Church which is enduring it all. And then I force myself to say a prayer for Fr. Corapi because it is the Christian thing to do. But I’m embarrassed to admit… I’m just not feeling it anymore. I’m angry. I’d like to think it is righteous anger. But its anger nonetheless.

I find it helps me to remember that Fr. C has a history of long-term drug abuse - meaning that what we are seeing now, what he is experiencing now, might be a full-fledged mental collapse. It’s much harder to get medical help, real care, when one has a public following that is doing all it can to “prop up” a very shattered personality.

 

[Robertanthony]

You might consider checking out Father Robert Barron. I have found him to be quite inspirational and a very effective teacher. God Bless…

youtube.com/watch?v=rZ9WT3o94a8

If you are looking for a “manly” priest, check out Fr. Joe Classen. He is orthodox and a big time hunter and fisher. He has a bunch of archived radio shows on his website.

huntingforgod.com/

Really enjoy Fr. Classen, sad to see him leave my local diocese and move to Alaska. He was truly a “manly” priest and his radio shows were always interesting.

2 other solid priests to listen to…Fr. Larry Richards and Fr. John Riccardo

Thanks to all of you.

The more I learn about John Corapi/Coradi, the more unsettling I find it all. Megalomania, mythomania, what next? He seems to have created an imaginary life for himself. Tales of eating raw snake, being introduced to an up-and-coming actress’ “best friend” (guanophore will know what I’m talking about), lifting 300 lbs on the bench press at 15 (quite a feat if you know something about weights), the mysterious “lady” who called him “Johnny” at 3 distinct moments in his life and the ensuing smell of lilacs. I pray to God his was a true vocation and that he didn’t call himself to the priesthood. Not that God’s mercy could not be sufficient even if it were the case.

 

[Robertanthony]

I find it helps me to remember that Fr. C **has a history of long-term drug abuse **- meaning that what we are seeing now, what he is experiencing now, might be a full-fledged mental collapse. It’s much harder to get medical help, real care, when one has a public following that is doing all it can to “prop up” a very shattered personality.

John Corapi Coradi says he has a history of long-term abuse.

 

[Veridical16]

Actually, it doesn’t surprise me. It is a time in our nation when people are looking for leaders, and also there is a lot of fear and paranoia running rampant through many sub-groups of people. It’s like a kind of wildfire, spreading through society, the sense of betrayal is very high. People are choosing sides in unhealthy ways, and Corapi’s rhetoric feeds right into the worst of the fears. All his talk about needing bodyguards, guns, etc. because he was exposing the truth of the Church…it plays right into people who think that sort of thing is needed. As if Corapi is some sort of divine whistleblower…and the Illuminati is out to get him…

Oh, we are sheep, indeed, but he’s not the shepherd….I hear my Shepherd and he’s not covered in black fur…

lol, that’s funny right there, Juliane

 

[sojo]

Thank you Veridical16 - you have good advice. I do believe that I have allowed myself to get too involved in this whole scandal. It is titillating and it tends to suck one in.

I will (and must) place the Father, his followers, those he deceived and hurt, and those he may attract in the future into the Lord’s gracious and loving hands.

I plan to spend more time on the PRAYER INTENTIONS boards and less time surfing the web for more BSD stuff.

 

[heathernoel]

Why the shouting? That’s very hard to read, and taxes one’s charity, IMHO.

I am in the “something always seemed ‘off’ with Corapi” camp. I have a very hard time seeing how a man that fell to such temptations before the religious life could not fall again. I am very glad so many came home to Rome because of him, but find it disturbing that so many are ‘fans’ of his. They should be ‘fans’ of Our Savior instead.

 

[pobedonostsev5]

The oft-heard phrase ‘crawl under a rock and die’ sounds eerily similar to ‘crawl onto a Cross and die’–but of course Father Corapi’s mission is far too important for such ignominy.

 

[Fink]

I am in the “something always seemed ‘off’ with Corapi” camp. I have a very hard time seeing how a man that fell to such temptations before the religious life could not fall again. I am very glad so many came home to Rome because of him, but find it disturbing that so many are ‘fans’ of his. They should be ‘fans’ of Our Savior instead.

That`s dead right. And Father Corapi should be left in peace until the dust has well and truly settled. And left in peace after that, as well, if he so desires.
Archbishop Sheen was a fearless preacher…he probably had “fans”.

Some posters on these forums have behaved like hungry wolves!
Theres the difference between the Palm Sunday crowd and the Good Friday mob. Honestly, its disturbing (even frightening!)! It`s a lot like the 1790s " Paris Mob"…

PS
If some people here are determined to drop the title “Fr.”, can`t you at least show him some respect, and address him as 'Mr…" or “John…”, rather than just “Corapi”?

 

[Veridical16]

Thank you Veridical16 - you have good advice. I do believe that I have allowed myself to get too involved in this whole scandal. It is titillating and it tends to suck one in.

I will (and must) place the Father, his followers, those he deceived and hurt, and those he may attract in the future into the Lord’s gracious and loving hands.

You’re welcome. Thanks for the kind words we’re all in this together.

I plan to spend more time on the PRAYER INTENTIONS boards and less time surfing the web for more BSD stuff.

That* is a good idea.

 

[Veridical16]

Though this thread is emotional, and a little bit righteously upset, with wounded feelings, and unnerved by the scandalizing actions in the short term… Here is a good video of comfort and trust in God. Something to keep in our hearts regarding the big picture in the long term.

Mother Theresa On God’s Mercy and Forgiveness

youtube.com/watch?v=UkIjPPzm9Qc

 

[agnes_therese]

Corapi has NEVER admitted guilt in any of these trials!!!

We cannot know for sure whether or not Corapi is innocent or guilty until Corapi HIMSELF publicly admits and apologizes !!!

No one is guilty unless they admit it? I guess we need to let everyone out of prison, then.

 

[pnewton]

No one is guilty unless they admit it? I guess we need to let everyone out of prison, then.

No, it also takes giant bold-faced type for a person to be innocent. FYI - Yes, there is also physical evidence, according to the SOLT.

 

[Miserissima]

The issue has evolved from the allegations to a lack of obedience.

 

[rayne89]

Why does everybody act as if Corapi has done anything wrong? He himself STILL claims to be innocent of the charges/claims against him by S.O.L.T.

I constantly read people saying how Corapi has fallen, but he himself, on the blacksheepdog website claims to be innocent of the charges against him. Why don’t people recognize that it is only HIS WORD AGAINST THEIRS - is there any evidence that Corapi did something wrong? Is there any evidence that he was guilty of the charges brought against him (drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, financial abuse) ?

Yes, I understand that the bishops of SOLT released a statement revealing the alleged crimes of Corapi, but Corapi HIMSELF has responded saying that he HIMSELF is innocent.

Corapi has NEVER admitted guilt in any of these trials!!!

**We cannot know for sure whether or not Corapi is innocent or guilty until Corapi HIMSELF publicly admits and apologizes !!!
**

The news forum requires a link to a news article to any new thread opened here and the title must be the same as the news article. So this will probably soon be deleted.

If you would have read the other threads SOLT says they have evidence supporting the things they state he was/is involved in. You believe a group of priests is lying and Corapi is telling the truth when SOLT has nothing to gain by lying? There is documentation online which I linked to on both of the other threads from the Sacramento courts of John Corapi’s DUI conviction in 1999 -it has his full name and the alias he uses. John Corapi has been fooling people a long time. Please open your eyes.