Statement of Santa Cruz-Fr John Corapi

[debraran]

Most people accused of a crime are told to just be quiet and/or make a simple statement…that way if they are guilty, they didn’t lie again to the public and let the chips fall where they may.
I read how investigations can take months or years…this one shouldn’t.

If there is evidence of impropriety, many things may happen depending what they find.
Please don’t demonize the woman or women, they might not have told if they didnt get angry but that doesn’t change anything, it’s like the mistress getting all the dirt and not the “weak husband”. If the devil made him do anything, it was with her also. I believe human weakness and thinking we can control our lives ourselves makes us weak to sin, not so much a demon, and pride and ego help it along a great deal.

Whether Fr. Corapi is guilty or innocent, I worry about the not known priests, the ones struggling to keep their parish’s open, not the TV priest who has a fan club and money and not the daily worries many priests have. It’s not the TV, but the life style. When I met a TV priest, Fr. Groechel and some of his priests and brothers, there was a holiness and reverence, I can’t explain. They live with so little, and give so much, Even my teens were attracted to them and their sisters. They might not have the glam, but they speak volumes saying very little.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Is this Fr. Corapi posting this stuff on www.fathercorpai.com or Santa Cruz employees? I personally thought it was Santa Cruz who posted the bit from the “retired bishop” and not Fr. Corapi himself.

Here is the Whois information for the domain name www.fathercorapi.com.
Registrant:
Father John Corapi
PO BOX 550
Whitefish, MT 59937
US

So the domain name contains his name, Fr Corapi, and the owner of the domin name is him, Fr Corapi, so I can only assume that he is responsible for the inforation on the website which is a locgial assumption give the two pieces of information with the owner of the domain being the largest one.

 

[Pew47]

"Unless the rules have changed the norm is that once an institute, whatever kind: order, congregation, society of apostolic life or secular institute is canonically erect, not bishop has the authority to supress it. "

Thank you for your explanation Brother! I think in the case of a “religious order” (and not the proper term for them) that was suppressed (again that might not be the actual term), it may have been prior to having reached their full status and having a constitution approved. In the case of S.O.L.T., things seem a lot clearer to me now that they have basically said that Father Corapi doesn’t really fit their constitution. All they seem to need to take care of is getting their members to live according to the approved constitution and then perhaps they would not be having any problems. I feel a lot more reassured about them then I was beginning to feel when I was hearing that Father Corapi’s living arrangement might be according to their constitution.

As to whether or not postings on fathercorapi.com are actually approved by Father Corapi, I suppose that you would have to be that the vice-president of operations sits in on meeting with advisers about his status while not being told by him to please not post anything. I find it difficult to believe that he allows the VP of OPERATIONS to sit in on the such high level meetings and yet does not give some instructions as to what she be doing on the website.

 

[Shoshana]

Most people accused of a crime are told to just be quiet and/or make a simple statement…that way if they are guilty, they didn’t lie again to the public and let the chips fall where they may.
I read how investigations can take months or years…this one shouldn’t.

If there is evidence of impropriety, many things may happen depending what they find.
Please don’t demonize the woman or women, they might not have told if they didnt get angry but that doesn’t change anything, it’s like the mistress getting all the dirt and not the “weak husband”. If the devil made him do anything, it was with her also. I believe human weakness and thinking we can control our lives ourselves makes us weak to sin, not so much a demon, and pride and ego help it along a great deal.

Whether Fr. Corapi is guilty or innocent, I worry about the not known priests, the ones struggling to keep their parish’s open, not the TV priest who has a fan club and money and not the daily worries many priests have. It’s not the TV, but the life style. When I met a TV priest, Fr. Groechel and some of his priests and brothers, there was a holiness and reverence, I can’t explain. They live with so little, and give so much, Even my teens were attracted to them and their sisters. They might not have the glam, but they speak volumes saying very little.

I have been blessed to meet Fr Groeschel at his conference in Williamsville (here by the way he shared that St Luke’s Mission was inspired by words of Father Corapi himself through Amy Betroth)…well, at his conference, Father Groexchel was never at a loss of for words, does not mince his words and by his own admission, can be cynical. Outside of his conference he was quiet…

I have seen Father Corapi 5 times and outside of his conference, believe it or not, he was very quiet…I am a witness and he does not argue nor manifests the same tone or as some people put it ‘arrogance’ as he does in his conference. I have witnessed this 5 times.

Both off stage are very humble and quiet…something I am trying to emulate…

 

[dfp42]

Here is the Whois information for the domain name www.fathercorapi.com.Registrant:
Father John Corapi
PO BOX 550
Whitefish, MT 59937
US
So the domain name contains his name, Fr Corapi, and the owner of the domin name is him, Fr Corapi, so I can only assume that he is responsible for the inforation on the website which is a locgial assumption give the two pieces of information with the owner of the domain being the largest one.

Is this assumption the only thing that is logical at this point? The last statement was signed by Bobbi Ruffatto. This statement was actually written by a retired bishop and not Corapi himself. But if you say that the domain is listed in his name and therefore he is responsible for what is posted on there then ok. But it’s just your assumption. I take it you don’t agree with what Corapi, Bobbi Ruffuatto and retired bishop Rene Gracida? Shouldn’t you be demanding that all 3 of them repent and not just Corapi for causing a political spin?

 

[Pew47]

As far as the former bishop goes, from what I can tell he was merely commenting on his own blog and someone at Santa Cruz Media Inc. decided to post it on their own website. I would have my doubts that he was expecting it to show up there, though perhaps he did. Father Corapi might not be providing direct supervision over the content of the website, though I would think he is at the meetings and is included in the “we” in the statements made.

 

[debraran]

I can’t say how Fr. Corapi is at “home” or with friends, but being in the North East, have met many that have met or volunteered with Fr. Groechel’s group and the Sisters of Life.
I think for some, the less they have, the better. My children weren’t drawn to Fr. Corapi, but listened and speak highly of other priests and groups. We each have our own likes and dislikes, but the more “star-like” someone becomes, the more danger they are in.

I know Fr. Corapi said he never wanted to preach, he was pushed to do it and then took a break to “write” or maybe just to rest. Who knows, maybe he knew himself better than he superiors…

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

For shame on gossipers and scandal-mongers.

Who do you think is rejoicing over all this?

 

[Shoshana]

I can’t say how Fr. Corapi is at “home” or with friends, but being in the North East,

Deb, you misunderstand me. He does not know me at all but has signed his products (even my book that I bought about Mother Angelics, I did not buy anything from him)…he is sedate and very, very quiet.
have met many that have met or volunteered with Fr. Groechel’s group and the Sisters of Life.
Fr Groeschel, when he was signing his products, was also very quiet…)
I think for some, the less they have, the better.
I fully concur if he is a reigious priest. Buth then again that could go for anyone of us…
My children weren’t drawn to Fr. Corapi, but listened and speak highly of other priests and groups. We each have our own likes and dislikes, but the more “star-like” someone becomes, the more danger they are in.

I know Fr. Corapi said he never wanted to preach, he was pushed to do it and then took a break to “write”
He has written two books. I wish he would write his book on his thesis…
or maybe just to rest.
I know he was sick for a bit…
Who knows, maybe he knew himself better than he superiors…

 

[debraran]

They are interested and whether they talk to friends or online, it’s a natural thing to do. It’s not right to say someone is guilty but a priest like Fr. Corapi is in the public eye, on TV, asking for money for his DVD’s,on his web site and EWTN, etc. He isn’t a child. If a politician or CEO was in the news for something similar, they would talk. As a priest told me, they put themselves out there, they give a statement, no one would expect after that, no one would talk. Prayer is wondeful for all involved, but as close as some feel to a TV personality, it’s like they do know him. I also feel a lot is anxiety, talking helps quell that feeling in your gut, that another ball is going to drop.

If he is given a clean slate, people will talk, if he isn’t, people will talk, they “know” him, trusted him and are jaded by all the priests in the news getting bad press.

Somewhat off topic, my priest talked a few weeks ago about following a person and not Christ. He talked of a priest that had a “fan club”, bragged about how if he left a parish, they followed him to the new church. He loved it. He said he also knew of a young man in the seminary that had a close friend who was going to be in a different diocese. He also loved the bishop in his friends diocese. He got permission to go there when ordained…1 year later, the bishop died and 3 years later, his friend left the priesthood. He was never fully following Christ, but people.
We all have to be careful not to do that.

 

[JReducation]

I’ve been sitting here thinking, not that I do that too often. I try to avoid it.

Moving right along . . . many people believe that priests and religious who rise to “stardom” can become tainted. I certainly will not argue with that.

What is not mentioned is that people (clergy, religious or lay) who rise to stardom can also become victims, because they make perfect targets for lose canons out there. We have seen many public figures nailed without ever doing something wrong.

The fact they can become tainted or they can become victims sort of levels out the playing field. The points being . . . stardom is a very dangerous thing.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[dfp42]

I’ve been sitting here thinking, not that I do that too often. I try to avoid it.

Moving right along . . . many people believe that priests and religious who rise to “stardom” can become tainted. I certainly will not argue with that.

What is not mentioned is that people (clergy, religious or lay) who rise to stardom can also become victims, because they make perfect targets for lose canons out there. We have seen many public figures nailed without ever doing something wrong.

The fact they can become tainted or they can become victims sort of levels out the playing field. The points being . . . stardom is a very dangerous thing.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I personally feel bad for the way he “looks” in the Catholic Church. I can’t say however if this was his intent from the beginning. I think he kinda got trapped into it like Mother Angelica did when video production/radio and internet became widespread. There was alot of controversy over EWTN at the time and disagreements with Bishops that she simply resigned and turned it over to lay people. It’s a hard to be priest today that reaches out to millions around the world through tv/inernet/radio etc. I don’t think most people would really want the hassle that comes along with being “popular”.

That being said I have to wonder if we’d be better off having all Catholic Media and teaching being run strictly by the United States Bishops? I wonder why Mother Angelica was fearful that the Bishops would take over EWTN and she claimed she’d blow up the network before she gave it into their hands? One could say she was being disobedient? I wonder if some feel if it’s simply best for Fr. Corapi to resign and take his loses at this point, things will never be the same now. I don’t wish for that, but the weight on his shoulders regardless of innocence seems really heavy.

 

[pwimezza]

Let’s all just be clear one this woman is an adult. Why don’t we know her name? In the normal media world both names would be released. I smell something very fishy…

 

[The_Rock]

It’s at times difficult to determine when repeating what Father Corapi has said himself at conferences, and correcting when a fact may not quite be right, amounts to gossip or detraction. Part of it comes down to, “what exactly is Father Corapi’s current reputation”? Is he still a poor religious, or a successful and wealthy businessman? From what I can tell it is the latter that he has been talking about lately, so it’s hard to see how somebody else mentioning his wealth amounts to more than enhancing his current reputation as a successful businessman.

This is a ridiculous statement.

People start posting as soon as the story breaks about Fr. Corapi, insinuating that he is lining his pockets. They check into his tax records, see what property he owns, ask is he spending it on himself, he has a fast car after all etc. etc. They start questioning whether or not he had the right to celebrate the sacraments before the current situation happened and on and on.
Then the argument above is made: “what exactly is Father Corapi’s current reputation”? Is he still a poor religious, or a successful and wealthy businessman? From what I can tell it is the latter that he has been talking about lately"
Well I guess since his “current reputation” has been so mercilessly assaulted in this Catholic forum that we all then have licence to attack him further as long as we coach our statements with “if he is guilty”. He is a Catholic priest, not a businessman. He speaks about the love of God, the beauty of the Sacraments, the teachings of the Church. He very rarely speaks about his past or present business dealings.

Detraction is all the more serious when it concerns someone who was held in such high regard as this priest. His high public profile and reputation are not an excuse to insinuate wrongdoing. In fact according to Catholic teaching it makes the harm done to his reputation a more serious sin.
Detraction:
newadvent.org/cathen/04757a.htm

What is the motivation behind all this gossip?

 

[pwimezza]

Has anyone seen the movie the Thomas Crown affair??? :hey_bud:

I would like to announce to all of you that on April 6th let’s call this day… Your Mother Wears Combat Boots Day. On this day we should all change our profiles on FACEBOOK and on Catholic Answers for one week and use our most favorite photo of father John Corapi as our profile photo. If you think that Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi, Rene Gracida, superior in SOLT and EWTN is not paying attention… You are wrong!!! My brothers and sisters remember that we are called and part of … the holy Catholic apostolic Church. We are united as brothers and sisters :grouphug: and we owe this to one of our favorite priest. Please copy and paste this message… POST IT everywhere you can to unite our brothers and sisters. I know many of us are praying for father John Corapi but on this day let’s have the Heavens Hear Us Loud and Clear :hug3: that we are united Catholics!!!
Do I hear…kpeople: AMEN??? :angel1:

 

[Elizabeth502]

This is a ridiculous statement.
People start posting as soon as the story breaks about Fr. Corapi, insinuating that he is lining his pockets. They check into his tax records, see what property he owns, ask is he spending it on himself, he has a fast car after all etc. etc. They start questioning whether or not he had the right to celebrate the sacraments before the current situation happened and on and on.
Then the argument above is made: “what exactly is Father Corapi’s current reputation”? Is he still a poor religious, or a successful and wealthy businessman? From what I can tell it is the latter that he has been talking about lately"
Well I guess since his “current reputation” has been so mercilessly assaulted in this Catholic forum that we all then have licence to attack him further as long as we coach our statements with “if he is guilty”. He is a Catholic priest, not a businessman. He speaks about the love of God, the beauty of the Sacraments, the teachings of the Church. He very rarely speaks about his past or present business dealings.

Detraction is all the more serious when it concerns someone who was held in such high regard as this priest. His high public profile and reputation are not an excuse to insinuate wrongdoing. In fact according to Catholic teaching it makes the harm done to his reputation a more serious sin.
Detraction:
newadvent.org/cathen/04757a.htm

What is the motivation behind all this gossip?

Beats me. And we seem to be among a handful on this thread that deplore it.

I said this earlier: The allegations against him do not include most of what has been speculated about here. But nevertheless he is additionally being “tried,” on CAF, for these supposed failings of character. So by the time the actual juridical process is over – if he ends up being completely cleared – it will make no difference, because of the defamation that will have already occurred. He will have to “answer” for these other invisible “charges,” possibly for the rest of his life.

I have no personal investment in this case. But we should all have a spiritual investment that people, including priests, not be accused falsely, and if they are, that in the meantime their reputations don’t suffer needless additional damage by the effects of idle gossip in areas that have nothing to do with the charges. By refraining from that, no one is pretending that the accused is perfect, but as TheRock and I have also said earlier, detraction is bringing to light true faults that others have no right to. And I will add that calumny pertains to false accusation. The possibility of one and the certainty of the other both harm a person’s reputation.

The tone of much of this thread is unbelievable to me, on a Catholic forum.
:tsktsk:

 

[debraran]

The same thing happens when any priest or religious was in the news. The same people who “hate” it though wiill read all the posts and blogs etc and comment on them…I think in a way, it’s a way to read it without feeling like you are part of it. We all feel involved as a Catholic family, and questioning things outside of his accusations isn’t making him guilty, it’s just a different topic.

Father’s reputation is not at risk because of this, unless people thought he was sinless. No one doubts that Father could have fallen into breaking a vow or maybe taking too many pain pills, he;s human and it’s not a crime, it’s a failing. If he didn’t, this will fade and become a good sermon.

What people are discussing and it’s been done many times before, is his background and how he presents himself. No one has to give him a free pass because he is a priest, if they don’t like something, he is a public figure.

There was a priest in Ct who had another priest turn him over money matters (hired someone himself)and things he was doing on his own time he thought was inapporopriate. I think I remember him saying he felt he had too when things weren’t being done. He ended up leaving.
catholicnewsagency.com/news/connecticut_priest_convicted_of_embezzling_1_million_dies_of_cancer/
For whatever reason, the church moves at a very slow pace and its frustrating. Now with all the allegations out there, I don’t think they are always getting good advice. Before it was reputation and ego, who was getting hurt didn’t matter, now it’s numbers, can we afford to oust another priest. They act rashly it seems with one and not another.
It’s not like a secular investigation at all and I think it makes outsiders doubt the validity of the church’s caring. I’ve met some non-practicing Catholics that will not become part of the church because they don’t trust them, some were hurt personally, some had family members, some just being embarassed by how poorly so many leaders handled matters.
Sometimes it’s hard to see Christ in it all…I was lucky to find a great church but sometimes you have to find him alone first.I pray they soften over the years.

Father will have his day and may become stronger from it. I am grateful the woman didn’t tell others first, but went through the proper channels. Why would anyone want to have her name…I’ve heard that here. To call her and harass her, send her letters of hate that she would do this? “If” it goes to a civil court for some reason not mentioned yet, then you would or if she talks later, but knowing it now, is not needed. And since you didn’t read the 3 pages, you don’t know what it said, only what they said it said, and there might be reasons they don’t want to release the name. A letter alone doesn’t dismiss someone, wait and see if the church leaders acted rashly or if they didn’t. I would be angry with them if that is the case, not her.

I

 

[debraran]

“I have no personal investment in this case. But we should all have a spiritual investment that people, including priests, not be accused falsely, and if they are, that in the meantime their reputations don’t suffer needless additional damage by the effects of idle gossip in areas that have nothing to do with the charges. By refraining from that, no one is pretending that the accused is perfect, but as TheRock and I have also said earlier, detraction is bringing to light true faults that others have no right to”

I agree, but some might think they do have a right to know “if” they give money to Fr. Corapi or his company. If you don’t, then it’s his business. Just like a parish family wants to know how collected money is used. I have heard preachers on TV brag that they had a Rolls Royce because God wanted them to have it and their followers could too if they worked and prayed, etc. I would shake my head, to each his/her own, but in our day and time, riches which aren’t evil by themselves (I wish I could win a huge lottery and give much of it away after bill paying, what fun!) but with religious, it’s always given a bigger microscope.
I don’t begrudge Father any of his perks, but I don’t give him money either…I like to know where my charity money goes.

 

[Shoshana]

This is a ridiculous statement.

People start posting as soon as the story breaks about Fr. Corapi, insinuating that he is lining his pockets. They check into his tax records, see what property he owns, ask is he spending it on himself, he has a fast car after all etc. etc. They start questioning whether or not he had the right to celebrate the sacraments before the current situation happened and on and on.
Then the argument above is made: “what exactly is Father Corapi’s current reputation”? Is he still a poor religious, or a successful and wealthy businessman? From what I can tell it is the latter that he has been talking about lately"
Well I guess since his “current reputation” has been so mercilessly assaulted in this Catholic forum that we all then have licence to attack him further as long as we coach our statements with “if he is guilty”. He is a Catholic priest, not a businessman. He speaks about the love of God, the beauty of the Sacraments, the teachings of the Church. He very rarely speaks about his past or present business dealings.

Detraction is all the more serious when it concerns someone who was held in such high regard as this priest. His high public profile and reputation are not an excuse to insinuate wrongdoing. In fact according to Catholic teaching it makes the harm done to his reputation a more serious sin.
Detraction:
newadvent.org/cathen/04757a.htm

What is the motivation behind all this gossip?

This is so refreshing to read…it came to a point whether I was going to leave this thread. Bad enough there is spiritual warfare, but it becomes tedious to battle amongst ouirselves to try and keep this thread charitable Opinions can become gossip…

 

[Shoshana]

Beats me. And we seem to be among a handful on this thread that deplore it.

I said this earlier: The allegations against him do not include most of what has been speculated about here. But nevertheless he is additionally being “tried,” on CAF, for these supposed failings of character. So by the time the actual juridical process is over – if he ends up being completely cleared – it will make no difference, because of the defamation that will have already occurred. He will have to “answer” for these other invisible “charges,” possibly for the rest of his life.

I have no personal investment in this case. But we should all have a spiritual investment that people, including priests, not be accused falsely, and if they are, that in the meantime their reputations don’t suffer needless additional damage by the effects of idle gossip in areas that have nothing to do with the charges. By refraining from that, no one is pretending that the accused is perfect, but as TheRock and I have also said earlier, detraction is bringing to light true faults that others have no right to. And I will add that calumny pertains to false accusation. The possibility of one and the certainty of the other both harm a person’s reputation.

The tone of much of this thread is unbelievable to me, on a Catholic forum.
:tsktsk: