Statement of Santa Cruz-Fr John Corapi

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I’m not implying anything, I am very careful where I give and like to know the charity well.
I have read some posts that allude to the fact that they didn’t know how the money was used. I don’t think it’s wrong to ask "Is my money just making more DVD’s or paying for livng expenses, etc.
If things aren’t clear with any charity or relgious group, I choose not to give, but that’s just me, others of course can give to whomever they please.

I like local soup kitchens, shelters, I’m helping (very little) with the desertnuns new convent, things like that.

I don’t think a priest asking for money should not be asked about business practices any more than anyone else. If someone is lying about it though, that’s terrible and they should say, This is only my thoughts or worries" Some posters didn’t know certain things about SOLT or his order, that is just educating them though, not gossip. If they had a link, something written, it’s better than just saying it though.
 
From the National Catholic Register On-line, in an interview with SOLT about Fr. Corapi

The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity is in the spotlight, following the allegations of misconduct against one of its members, Father John Corapi. The Register spoke with Father Gerard Sheehan, regional priest servant, based in the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas, to learn more about the charism of the order and its rules for members.

What are the distinctive elements of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Blessed Trinity?
The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Holy Trinity (SOLT) is a society of apostolic life. We were founded in 1958, and now have 160 priests working in 20 countries. We are a society of apostolic life of diocesan right. [A society of “diocesan right” is overseen by one local bishop on behalf of the Church, whereas those of “pontifical right,” like Maryknoll missionaries and the Sulpicians, are directly overseen by the Vatican.] We are a community of priests, sisters and laity, working in ecclesial teams in areas of greatest apostolic need. Father Rogel Rosalinas is the general priest servant; he will have ultimate authority regarding any decision related to the allegations involving Father Corapi.

How did Father Corapi become involved in the ministry that has made him a famous evangelist?
Father James Flanagan, the founder of SOLT, believed that the society would identify people’s gifts and then allow them a degree of freedom to conduct their apostolic work.

While Father Corapi was still in the seminary, Father Flanagan discerned that he had a gift for apostolic preaching. The founder felt that Father Corapi needed a lot of freedom and prayer to offer that gift for the Church.

Initially, Father Corapi was allowed to live an eremitic life in a cottage on a compound with a community of sisters. Father Corapi stayed there for some time, conducting parish missions. Ultimately, he moved into his own home.

His preaching had tremendous results and many people were converted to the faith, while others came back to the Church. Many vocations came from his preaching. Subsequently, he began producing tapes that showcased his presentation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the subject of his doctoral dissertation.

He made Santa Cruz Media a for-profit company, he told his superiors, in order to have the proper freedom to proclaim the Gospel without any fear of raising issues that might threaten the company’s tax-exempt status.

He said he would pay his taxes and proclaim the Gospel fearlessly. Father Flanagan allowed him to manage his own funds. No one knew it would become so big.

In a recent public statement, the vice president of operations of Santa Cruz Media, Inc. described the for-profit production company as a “secular corporation and not affiliated with the Catholic Church in any way. As such, we are not under the jurisdiction of any bishop or other official in the Catholic Church.” Would you explain?
You would have to ask Santa Cruz Media what they mean by that.

What is the relationship between Santa Cruz Media and SOLT?
Santa Cruz Media remains completely independent of SOLT. We don’t receive any money, though Father Corapi has made personal donations to the community.

Has SOLT evolved since Father Corapi became a member of the society?
In 1994, our new constitution made SOLT a society of apostolic life. The founder’s arrangement with Father Corapi was established before that time, when Father Flanagan believed that every mission should take care of its own needs.

Now, according to our constitution, a different way of life has been established for members. All the money we make is turned over to the society, which gives us an allowance.

We have begun to address the issues of members who joined the society before the new constitution. The society is moving to a more organized structural phase of its existence, with all the Church discipline that entails.
 
Elizabeth502 said:
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:
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I do understand that not everyone posting in this thread is giving rise to scandal and indulging in speculation and gossip.

But to those who are:

What part of the Golden Rule are you following when you gossip, speculate, and scandalize?

Which of the Ten Commandments are you obeying when you indulge in scandal-mongering, hearsay, and gossip?

Is it impossible to imagine that the enemy will use every means at his disposal to take down priests and cause Catholics to squabble among themselves?

Who gains by this?
 
Marie5890 said:
dfp,

I do hear what you are saying. But to be fair, it itsn’t a “perhaps” Fr Corapi made the public announcement. He did. There is no “perhaps” 🙂

He could have chosen not to say anything, but he chose to do otherwise, for whatever reason. He may see it as the wisest course of action for him. And that may be true.

But in the end, it was his decision to be the one to make it public. It was not the decision of his superior or a Bishop.

The following comment of Bishop Rene Gracida’s comment doesn’t fit the specific situation of Fr Corapi in this instance. So it seems to be more of a general statement, IMO

"There is no need for a public announcement to be made that gives the name of the priest and the fact of the accusation and the suspension, and yet, all to often such a public announcement is made. Such public announcement by a diocese almost always results in media exploitation of the news in a sensational manner to the detriment of the Catholic Church and its priesthood. It seems that rarely, if ever, is mention is made in the announcement of the name of the accuser. "
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Marie,

Father had upcoming trips planned during lent to help different Catholic churches and organizations raise funds. These functions had to be canceled, and I thing Father Corapi wanted to let people know why. As you know, these things take a long time to resolve.

Go with Gods Grace
 
steve711 said:
Marie,

Father had upcoming trips planned during lent to help different Catholic churches and organizations raise funds. These functions had to be canceled, and I thing Father Corapi wanted to let people know why. As you know, these things take a long time to resolve.

Go with Gods Grace
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I know that. 🙂
Just pointing out that the Bishop’s statement in and of itself did not reflect what happened. The bishops did not make this public, Fr Corapi did.

That is just the plain simple fact in who made this public is all.
Not a judgement as to the “why”, only pointing out the “who” did it 👍
 
When I reveal something that Father Corapi has already publicly revealed, that does not make me guilty of detraction. While I did not personally attend the Cincinnati conference to have personally hear the remarks, someone mentioned them on their blog and at least three other persons that had been at the conference confirmed the remarks. Is the person who had blogged about Father’s own comments (while expressing their distaste for them) and the others that indicated they had also been there and did not care for those remarks guilty of detraction or gossip? Has Father defamed himself?

For all we know, the actual allegations (reported by the investigative side as “conduct unbecoming to a priest” and by Father Corapi as everything from…) might include a number of things that Father has already admitted to publicly. Fr. Sheehan’s interview makes it clear that Father Corapi has not lived in accordance to SOLT’s constitution that has been in effect for 17 years. He instead acts according to an agreement with the founder prior to the Constitution. Is that agreement binding upon SOLT to extend priestly faculties (assuming they have done so) to a member who is neither in compliance to the constitution nor canon law governing the type on institution they have become? Father could at least easily resolve that issue by either coming into compliance or instead seeking faculties from his own local ordinary.
 
I am a Father Corapi supporter as you probably know by now. I feel that his speeches touch on the Catholic teachings that I and others need to hear. In my opinion, I feel that the subjects of abortion, SSM, and others just are not talked about enough at the masses in the homilies given by many priests and deacons. I feel that because Father Corapi speaks out on these subjects that many find it politically incorrect, in that it may hurt someones feelings, and that is why he has many in the church do not support him.

It is just my opinion, but I believe it is time that the Catholic church took stronger stands on many issues, and if it hurts someones feelings, so be it.

Go with Gods Grace!!!
 
steve711 said:
I am a Father Corapi supporter as you probably know by now. I feel that his speeches touch on the Catholic teachings that I and others need to hear. In my opinion, I feel that the subjects of abortion, SSM, and others just are not talked about enough at the masses in the homilies given by many priests and deacons. I feel that because Father Corapi speaks out on these subjects that many find it politically incorrect, in that it may hurt someones feelings, and that is why he has many in the church do not support him.

It is just my opinion, but I believe it is time that the Catholic church took stronger stands on many issues, and if it hurts someones feelings, so be it.

Go with Gods Grace!!!
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I support all of the Church’s teachings you mentioned, and many more that Fr. Corapi brings to light. The reason I am reluctant to “take a side” has nothing to do with what you mention. It is most aptly reasoned in Jimmy Akin’s blog Wishing It Isn’t So? Thoughts on the Fr. Corapi Situation.

So to echo his prayer: May the truth — whatever that is — be swiftly and accurately established so that justice for all the parties may be served
 
Havard said:
I support all of the Church’s teachings you mentioned, and many more that Fr. Corapi brings to light. The reason I am reluctant to “take a side” has nothing to do with what you mention. It is most aptly reasoned in Jimmy Akin’s blog Wishing It Isn’t So? Thoughts on the Fr. Corapi Situation.

So to echo his prayer: May the truth — whatever that is — be swiftly and accurately established so that justice for all the parties may be served
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I agree with you on this, but do believe Father Corapi does have enemies outside and inside the church.

Go with Gods Grace!!!
 
Havard said:
I support all of the Church’s teachings you mentioned, and many more that Fr. Corapi brings to light. The reason I am reluctant to “take a side” has nothing to do with what you mention. It is most aptly reasoned in Jimmy Akin’s blog Wishing It Isn’t So? Thoughts on the Fr. Corapi Situation.

So to echo his prayer: May the truth — whatever that is — be swiftly and accurately established so that justice for all the parties may be served
Click to expand...
The link doesn’t work.
 
Wasn’t Fr. Corapi accused in the past by a lady in Milwaukee of raping her? I remember him telling the story on one of his dvd’s and how it turned out the lady was delusional, literally claiming to the police that he jumped out of the television and raped her. He said it caused him great stress and nothing at all happened to the lady who filed the report. I don’t think its hard to believe that these things happen to priests. I wonder why this story wasn’t mainstream and on his resume like the current one is. There was an actually police report filed against him. I think it would be safe to say that there really are such things as false claims against people. Everyone seems sue happy today. If I can sue Mcdonalds for hot coffee burning me for millions, just about anything is possible today.
 
Pew47 said:
When I reveal something that Father Corapi has already publicly revealed, that does not make me guilty of detraction. **While I did not personally attend the Cincinnati conference to have personally hear the remarks, someone mentioned them on their blog and at least three other persons that had been at the conference confirmed the remarks. Is the person who had blogged about Father’s own comments (while expressing their distaste for them) and the others that indicated they had also been there and did not care for those remarks guilty of detraction or gossip? Has Father defamed himself?**For all we know, the actual allegations (reported by the investigative side as “conduct unbecoming to a priest” and by Father Corapi as everything from…) might include a number of things that Father has already admitted to publicly. Fr. Sheehan’s interview makes it clear that Father Corapi has not lived in accordance to SOLT’s constitution that has been in effect for 17 years. He instead acts according to an agreement with the founder prior to the Constitution. Is that agreement binding upon SOLT to extend priestly faculties (assuming they have done so) to a member who is neither in compliance to the constitution nor canon law governing the type on institution they have become? Father could at least easily resolve that issue by either coming into compliance or instead seeking faculties from his own local ordinary.
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Being hearsay, how is this not further detraction and gossip?
 
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