No offense, but

[Maxirad]

…did John Corapi bring up his DUI bust in any of his talks?

 

[triumphguy]

Christ instituted the Church BECAUSE humans screw up, not because we deserve to be part of the Body of Christ.

The failure of any individual neither proves, nor disproves anything apart from the fact that we are nothing without Christ.

And let those without sin cast the first stone.

 

[mike2112]

Christ instituted the Church BECAUSE humans screw up, not because we deserve to be part of the Body of Christ.

The failure of any individual neither proves, nor disproves anything apart from the fact that we are nothing without Christ.

And let those without sin cast the first stone.

I agree. Humans acting on their own without the Holy Spirit are diving into thin ice especially regarding the Church life. If I was a priest and MY sins were revealed to the world… I would have lost all my credibility, reputation, and would have died of shame.

We have to learn to forgive. None of us are perfect. Even the Pope has a Confessor. That’s the beauty of it. We are human and are weak. The Church is here and established by Christ, like you said, and will not collapse because the Church is for us.

The Catholic Church is a Hospital for the sinner. His blood washes us clean, so we all have to strive to learn from our mistakes and become more united to Christ in our weaknesses.

 

[Jennifoo]

I, for one, am not offended by your question, nor do I feel the need to get all preachy about sin and forgiveness. There are some who get so defensive about a particular person or subject that they answer in ways that are just plain rude, even though the information they share is true. There are also some who think it’s wrong to question the behaviour of the clergy, even when gravely sinful. But I think it’s important to remember that questions are not always wrong. It depends on one’s motive, and sometimes that motive is genuine concern and/or confusion. Those who find themselves unable to refrain from defensive preachiness would do best to refrain from posting at all.
To answer your question, I’m really not sure if he ever mentioned the sins he committed during his priesthood. I was at a conference he preached in Saint Louis in spring of 2010.

 

[triumphguy]

I, for one, am not offended by your question, nor do I feel the need to get all preachy about sin and forgiveness. There are some who get so defensive about a particular person or subject that they answer in ways that are just plain rude, even though the information they share is true. There are also some who think it’s wrong to question the behaviour of the clergy, even when gravely sinful. But I think it’s important to remember that questions are not always wrong. It depends on one’s motive, and sometimes that motive is genuine concern and/or confusion. Those who find themselves unable to refrain from defensive preachiness would do best to refrain from posting at all.
To answer your question, I’m really not sure if he ever mentioned the sins he committed during his priesthood. I was at a conference he preached in Saint Louis in spring of 2010.

Who are the “some” you talk about?

This topic is very contentious for many people, and no-one knows all the facts except those involved,. Since Fr. Corapi has disappeared from view I would suggest that mere discretion would keep us silent.

Scripture tells us not to put our faith in princes or mortal men.

Don’t get wrapped up in people/personalities in the first place, and we won’t be so excited /disappointed/upset when they turn out to have feet of clay (just like 99.999% of the human race).

The only constant is Christ.

 

[CaptFun]

We are better off confessing our own sins than those of others - especially airing secret ones of others. :sad_yes:

Now if Fr. Corapi was touting drunkenness as an acceptable lifestyle publicly (in the fashion of some who do that with other sins) as part of his ministry, or contradicted or minimized a major teaching of the Church in a way to cause others to rebel (as apologists for aspects of abortion do) it would be worse.

It’s sort of kicking a guy when he is down too … unless he is (say) suing his old order or trying NOW to pretend to authority he no longer has (or something I’m unaware of). And I like Kresta etc. - so the short clip doesn’t really help my confusion here.

Corapi said some things that needed saying – and strongly called others to holiness at times. And if he was a sinner … so are we all. YET - there are scriptures that make distinctions about what should be done by believers - even when a “leader*** is*** a hypocrite”.

Matt 23: 1 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples,

2 saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses.

3 Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.

This one would be more applicable to Fr. Corapi had he been preaching hell and brimstone about boozers going to hell or something. I remember him “confessing” about a time BEFORE he became a priest when he was drunk and driving about 100 mph through the California desert … got stopped … and the cops were so enamored of the Maserati or whatever he was driving that they didn’t ticket him! He told that story more in the way of saying he’d been protected from even justice by God for some reason - not justifying the drinking and driving.

Fulton Sheen once answered the question “can holy things come through a bad priest …?”
with the analogy that sunlight can still come through a dirty stained glass window and bless people.

God does sometimes use flawed vessels to convey His blessings to his children.
And it comes close to ALWAYS uses flawed vessels … even if those vessels are in the state of sanctifying grace and devoid of unconfessed mortal sin at the time.

If someone should cue up an old Fr. Corapi homily my counsel would be … be discerning.
Attend to the Holy Spirit whenever you hear him coming through. Edit out the human foibles, failings and off-Spirit moments of the imperfect priest.

I was saddened by the incidents that have ended Fr. Corapi’s formal ministry.

I thank him for the good that he did. I’m not calling for his reinstatement or anything, nor
criticizing his order, or minimizing the seriousness of DUI’s. He is also not a cult figure for me or a spiritual idol (and never was).

I do think the Church still needs good, clear, firm, confident teaching (unto preaching) from its shepherds, especially in America where there is a social sea of moral relativity watering down the resolve of people to stand (or stand UP) for anything that rocks the boat in the lukewarm waters.

Celebrating Fr. Corapi’s “downfall” (if that’s what any of this was) doesn’t seem to be a fruitful decision. Teaching against drunkenness, hypocrisy and pride are licit of course - but overly dwelling (especially publicly) on another’s sins*** can make one look*** jealous, envious, unforgiving, or like a devious tale-bearer (and hurt one’s own ministry) IMO.

“No offense”.

 

[Jennifoo]

Who are the “some” you talk about? The posters on this thread who felt the need to get defensive and preachy. There are several.

This topic is very contentious for many people, and no-one knows all the facts except those involved,. Since Fr. Corapi has disappeared from view I would suggest th at mere discretion would keep us silent.

Scripture tells us not to put our faith in princes or mortal men.

Don’t get wrapped up in people/personalities in the first place, and we won’t be so excited /disappointed/upset when they turn out to have feet of clay (just like 99.999% of the human race).

The only constant is Christ.

:shrug:Okay I thought I was clear in making my point. As you state, this is a contentious topic for some. I agree, and stated that those who are apt to get defensive and preachy would do best
to refrain from posting. The OP merely asked a question and stated that he wasn’t trying to offend anyone. I agree that we don’t know all the facts which is why I didn’t make any speculations about John Corapi or his whereabouts. I merely answered the question, without being judgemental to Mr. Corapi or the OP. Answering this question does NOT mean I have a bad attitude toward Mr. Corapi or an excessive curiosity about him. I am not wrapped up in him as you seem to imply but I am justifiably disappointed. I’m also disappointed that you’re assuming things about me that aren’t true, and aren’t in my post. Maybe you should work on being more charitable towards fellow posters. This would be great for Lent.

 

[triumphguy]

:shrug:Okay I thought I was clear in making my point. As you state, this is a contentious topic for some. I agree, and stated that those who are apt to get defensive and preachy would do best
to refrain from posting. The OP merely asked a question and stated that he wasn’t trying to offend anyone. I agree that we don’t know all the facts which is why I didn’t make any speculations about John Corapi or his whereabouts. I merely answered the question, without being judgemental to Mr. Corapi or the OP. Answering this question does NOT mean I have a bad attitude toward Mr. Corapi or an excessive curiosity about him. I am not wrapped up in him as you seem to imply but I am justifiably disappointed. I’m also disappointed that you’re assuming things about me that aren’t true, and aren’t in my post. Maybe you should work on being more charitable towards fellow posters. This would be great for Lent.

Perhaps adopting this attitude would help: If they aren’t in your post then assume that I was not talking about you.

See Fr. Corapi=contentious. It’s better if no-one discusses him.

 

[marytk]

I of course have no idea of what someone is trying to do when they post or say something. But in life most of the time in life like at school when I hear “No offense but…” (she is fat he is boring blah bla) The person does mean to offend but wants to say it anyway so that “no offense” it is a little like " You are so fat…just kidding" maybe if we have to add “just kidding” or “no offense” we shouldn’t say it.

 

[triumphguy]

I of course have no idea of what someone is trying to do when they post or say something. But in life most of the time in life like at school when I hear “No offense but…” (she is fat he is boring blah bla) The person does mean to offend but wants to say it anyway so that “no offense” it is a little like " You are so fat…just kidding" maybe if we have to add “just kidding” or “no offense” we shouldn’t say it.

Exactly my sentiments too…

 

[Gigglin4God]

You know, some people have the nerve. This world would be so much better if people would just mind their own business and stop getting into others. What Father Corapi did our did not do it’s no ones business but his and God’s. Something that I have learned in. the past 5 years is that what someone thinks of you is none of your business. When a person worries what others say or think of them they are taking their eyes off of God and making something or someone they are making idols of them. Like when you are so concerned about Father Corapi and what he is doing you are making him your Jesus our God. God says not to have any strange gods before Him. What Father Corapi did is between him and God. Lets leave him alone, unless you’re so perfect. Myself, I’m too busy taking care of my own self. I hope I am making sense and that I haven’t offended anyone. If you look after yourself, you won’t have time to worry about someone else.