Father John Corapi has decided to leave the priesthood in the wake of the sex abuse allegation brought against him a few months ago. He leaves us this parting message:
This message is a mixed pickle. On the one hand, if indeed the allegations are false, Father is correct in stating that there is no way for him to prove a negative, that he did not do what is alleged.
On the other hand, if the allegations are false, he is a priest forever and able to live a quiet monastic life among the brothers in his order. He is choosing not to amid his cries of innocence. In this terrible message, Father Corapi’s bitterness and bile are abundantly evident, and his black sheepdog self-identification is dark and ominous.
A true love for the people of God, for Jesus, dictates that Father Corapi get some fundamental facts straight. First, a priest and a religious are who he is. A televangelist is what he does. Because the sacrament of ordination effects a permanent ontological change in the essence of the man, Father Corapi remains a priest forever, whether he does so as a black sheepdog leading others into rebellion against the bishops, or whether he remains a secluded priest among his brothers in the SOLT, his order.
False allegation is a bitter pill to swallow and, if he is truly innocent, he should demonstrate his innocence by swallowing that pill alone.
There was much truth spoken in his video, and the bishops have lurched from one extreme to the other on the issue of child safety. However, the allegations come from a grown woman with no allegations of rape. In short, it’s a mess. However, Father Corapi’s bitterness and rage threaten to lead many away from the Church, and that is never good–no matter the reason.
If the newly minted black sheepdog leads so much as one soul astray, his entire twenty years of service will have amounted to a self-aggrandizing lie.
I would encourage Father to stay, pray, and listen for the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. He isn’t losing his priesthood. It isn’t being taken away. Father Corapi is doing something to it that no person but Father can do.
And he needs to stop it.
Now.
UPDATE: Father Corapi’s Superior Speaks Out: Shocking Details.
Coming Home 
Best response yet. Thank you.
Very well said, Doc! It is a horrible sadness to watch anyone reach “the top” and come tumbling down with no regard for the sacrafice and suffering our Lord Jesus Christ gave for us. As if they are the only people who suffer injustice… Pride is an ugly flaw and it is even uglier when it is hung out for all to see. God bless him with humility and peace.
I read his statement first. Sympathetic, but not completely comfortable with his choice of words and tone.
Then I viewed the video, and it simply confirmed my gut feeling: He’s not taking the way of St. John of the Cross, Padre Pio, heck, even Our Lord Himself who humbly bore the cross of character malignment and false accusations (if such is the case).
Sheep in the eyes of a black dog? You say dark and ominous, I say diabolical.
No thanks.
What I RELIABLY know about Fr. C is this: His demand for dollars when he speaks at a colleges, etc., is formidably hefty. He will fly ONLY by private jet, and eschews offers to fly first class on normal flights.
Here is what I’ve heard NOT as reliably: He has a vast ranch.
What oversight he has by his order is something I hear NOTHING about.
These allegations, and Fr. Corapi’s reactions to them, do not leave me optimistic about his innocence. As part of a homeschooling curriculum, I was required to buy his CDs, at a substantial cost. Yes, the orthodox content was a plus, but no one can say the content wouldn’t be undercut if the allegations against Fr. C. prove true. Sad, very sad. The worst of the harm done by false shepherds is that the trust of people is undermined, particularly the trust of children.
What’s diabolical IMO is the Bishops and how they are mishandling this investigation, and I suspect doing so purposefully. He will always be a priest. I thought that his statement was humbling in many respects. Sometimes silence – as in this case – is not an option because of the way that the Church has gone from one extreme to the other in handling accusations against priests. The process needs to be similar to the court system instead of presuming guilt. My thoughts and prayers are with him.
This is a very sad situation. I found Father’s, and yes, he is still Father, message very upsetting. I could see people who already have issues with the Church using this as fuel for their fires. I pray the collateral damage will not be too extensive.
Well said, thank you.
Thank you for your loving and straightforward perspective! As a member of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, I trust my Bishop wholeheartedly. I love my DIocese. We are truly The Body of Christ. The SOLT priests are absolutely loved and respected. I mourn for any soul that is led astray by this dangerous, destructive and unnecessary message. Pray for Fr. Corapi that his wounds be healed. Pray for the SOLT priests that their life saving work continue with determination and faith.
Heartbreaking.
Thank you for this post. It puts into words that which was unsettled in my spirit. We do not know why God is allowing this to happen, and Fr. Corapi’s choices are understandable. However how can choosing laicization under such conditions be following the will of God? Where is the virtue of Humility and Obedience? Fr. John is not necessarily being disobedient, and his words speak of a certain humility to a degree. But are we to follow his lead in our own vocation calls?
“…his entire twenty years of service will have amounted to a self-aggrandizing lie.” That has to be the most outrageously unjust and ungrateful assessment one could possibly make of the situation. Even if this recent announcement does amount to a fall from grace (and I’m not sure yet whether it does or not), NOTHING will change the fact that for 20 years he brought COUNTLESS souls closer to Christ through truly HEROIC courage and self-sacrifice. No matter what happens, to question the goodness of what he’s done up to this point seems like gross ingratitude. If our brother has indeed fallen, gratitude for what he has done ought to motivate us to pray for him unceasingly.
A tragedy any way you look at it, but the whole “Black sheep Dog” schtick is a bit melodramatic and B-movie, isn’t it? Fr. Corapi has been “right on” with his commentary for years, and his passion for spreading Catholic truth in a secular culture has been life changing for many, but his behavior seems increasingly self-absorbed and focused on self-promotion and his image. The man needs prayer, and not just for what he’s gone through with the accusations. Satan always goes after the ones who can make the most difference, and no matter what the truth is in all this, the evil one is having a field day with Fr. Corapi, which of course adversely affects the Church. We shall know this tree by its fruit over time, I suppose. God be with him and bless him for all he’s done to build up the Body of Christ. Pray he continues to keep that motive at the forefront of all he does, no matter the personal cost. And may truth prevail, for his sake and for the sake of Christ’s Bride the Church.
If you have written this blog on the basis of Father Corapi’s statement only, without any additional information that the rest of us do not have than I ask you to go back and re-read the statement. Nowhere does Father say he is leaving the Priesthood, or the Church or even his religious order. He simply states that he is doing what he can the only way he can. He is no longer going to be “Father” when he speaks PUBLICLY. Alot of the statement is very cryptic but years ago when Father Corapi was setting up his organization to distribute his books, CD’s and DVD’s he decided (with his superiors approval) to set up a “for-profit” in order not to have to deal with all the paperwork etc involved in setting up a non-profit. It seemed easier to him just to pay the taxes and be done with it. This was a blessing in disguise. He owns and operates his own organization. The Bishop nor even his superiors have any say in it. (Although it did seem by his statement that his superiors were sympathetic to him so one could assume they would give him no grief being as he “donates” many of the profits back to his order.) But the Bishop simply gave the order that his “public ministry is suspended” (probably till hell freezes over). The key word here is “public”. Privately he can still say Mass and spend hours in Adoration (which he has always done) and go out and speak either publicly as “John” Corapi or BlackSheepDog or start cranking out books, dvd’s, u-tubes, audio’s , podcast. etc. I believe he has found a way to continue the work the Lord has given him to do within the parameters set by his “suspension” . Much good will come from this and it may turn out to be the Bishop of Corpus Christie’s greatest nightmare!
O M GEEE! This blog is totally so on!!! You are so courageous and wonderful to say what many don’t have the courage to say and I, for one, am so glad you said it! Thank you so much for this courageous blog and I hope Fr C gets to read it and takes it to heart because you are so right and he is standing on a threshold and the decision he makes now can be so crucial!!!! He can still turn back now and I hope he does do as you suggest and live in monastic solitude. As you so well put it, only father C can do to Fr C’s priesthood what he is doing. Thank you for all you do – what a blessing you are!!!
[…] Gerard M. Nadal at Coming Home extends a message to Fr Corapi. […]
I love the message Fr. Corapi has shared for many years, and he has been a shining example of courageously preaching the always counter-cultural message of Jesus Christ and His Church. However, he now has taken a turn that is accurately described in your post, and needs our prayers more than ever, since it appears he is moving away from the Church. Cut off from the ‘true vine’, he will wither and die; please pray that he submits to the will of God in this trial, and humbly and quietly lives out his priesthood in peaceful patience. I often think of St. Gerard Majella, who was accused of immorality by a young woman who claimed he molested her. He NEVER spoke out in his own defense, and was not allowed to attend Mass even for many years! This broke his heart. On her deathbed, the woman recanted and admitted her lie. When St. Alphonsos Liguori, St. Gerard’s superior, asked him why he didn’t even tell him the truth in confidence, St. Gerard said that he knew it was God’s will that he be humbled for a time, and he used it as a season of spiritual growth. Let us all pray to St. Gerard for our beloved Fr. Corapi!
I appreciate your comments. I will pray and fast. God bless.
I was a youth group leader when the “priest sex scandal” began in the media. I told my youth to always remember that “their faith is in God, not in man” for man is flawed. Father C. would do well to remember this. His vow is forever…to turn his back on his vow is to turn his back on his God.
Father John Corapi can in fact, with the permission of the Catholic Church, become just John Corapi and put aside all his priestly duties and can for all intents and purposes function as a lay person. These types of charges against him however are insane. Even if guilty, his guilt would not invalidate his priesthood or any of the work that he has done in his public ministry or prevent him from continuing his ministry. The manner in which these charges has been handled is absolutely ludicrous. Catholic priests are not in any way qualified to run these types of investigations. More to the point, they seem entirely reluctant to do so. From my viewpoint as a lay person, the church’s profound silence in these proceedings and unwillingness to produce a investigative result one way or the other can only speak of one clear intention, the desire to silence Father John Corapi. Do I believe that members of the Catholic Church would do this? Absolutely I do. Certain members of Catholic authority will do whatever is possible and necessary to portray the Catholic Church always in the proper light and avoid any implication of wrong doing or liturgical abuse even when it as plainly and painly obvious. Father Corapi has ruffled too many feathers. He makes some bishops look silly and unknowledgeable. Allegations of sexual misconduct? How conveniant! Put in the penalty box, perhaps the hierarchy hoped that he would stay there. It’s just so hard to keep a good man down however. I would ask Dr Nedal to save his opinions about theatrical flair and marketing for the next JJ Abrams flick and accept John Corapi as a good man. Does anyone think that Bishop Fulton Sheen did not have a sense of stage presense and theater, pulling his bishop’s cape aside at the high point of his program and proclaiming “God love you!”? People ate it up. Not once that I know has Father John ever lead people astray in their Catholic faith in the entirety of his public ministry. That’s worth something. I think that deducting points for style is petty and unfair and could only lead to to too many boring homilists getting tossed from their parishes by the end of the week.
Dear Gerard,
I have truly and deeply appreciated your superb commentary on most every issue, but you seem to be making crudely rash judgments in this case. How can you accuse him of leading others into rebellion against the Bishops when he 1) is obeying the directive not to act publicly as a priest, and 2) explicitly asked his fans NOT to pick a fight with the Bishop over this issue?!? Where in what he has said is the evidence for your accusation?
Second, what his attitude is toward his Priesthood, which you rightly note is permanent, does not seem entirely clear from his statement. Hence, do we not owe him the benefit of the doubt until such time as he elaborates further?
Third, was my previous comment that threatening that you are unwilling to post it? I am not trying to be unfriendly, but critical in a friendly way. You would boost your credibility if you were willing to post comments that disagree with your position.
Finally, thank you for your love for Holy Mother Church.
Amen to that Brian!
I am unsure what to think so I will pray for Fr. John Corapi and I will pray that the Truth come to light.
This is rubbish – Satan’s work continued – it is quite obivious this is a fraud – the voice in this recording is very obvious not Fr. Corapi’s!
Very, very well-put, Dr. Nadal. Thank you!
Citizen Logos,
I posted this
late last night and then went to bed after four days of less that four hours sleep per night. Mrs. Nadal engaged in loving subterfuge and unplugged my alarm clock in the middle of the night. So, I just awakened and headed to the blog. Often, the blog will hold some comments for approval and then post others from the same person. It makes little sense to me.
However, I just approved a great many comments that were waiting (all, in fact). That’s a long-winded way of saying that your comment was not censored. I take my lumps like a big boy. However, on this one I am more than a little disturbed by the blackness of the message and its tone. It all adds to something very ominous. As to your comment in question:
I do pray for Father Corapi, and I also wrote a very strong defense of him when these charges first came to light. Now, as then, I said that I believe he got a raw deal. I am aware of how many souls he has brought to Christ, but I am also aware of the potential that he has to devastate those very same souls by going down this road upon which he is embarking. Yes, some of my words were harsh. I admit that they were carefully calibrated to the reality of this new tone and direction from Father Corapi. For all of his stellar preaching, for the packed churches and auditoriums, his preaching was only a secondary good. His greatest good has been done offering sacrifice daily at the altar for the living and the dead.
Father Corapi can still offer sacrifice daily in private, if he so chooses. He is eschewing the greatest good for something that is a secondary good, and that secondary good will become tertiary at best given the tone and tenor of his departure, and the new tone of his new ‘ministry’.
Thank you for your kind words about my other writing and love for Holy Mother Church.
God Bless
Very well said! He is certainly not giving us a good example of living the Gospel in this situation. I don’t recall Jesus ever defending Himself when he was arrested and falsely accused! It seems that he (Fr.C) is only thinking about what HE wants to do and not what GOD may be calling him to do, which may be to suffer with humility and obedience. To offer up his suffering in silence through prayer and fasting may very well save more souls than his public ministry ever could! It would be the most difficult choice to make since he would be denying himself and the ego, but would be a wonderful example of humility and obedience to everyone watching this play out! Many prayers for Father Corapi and for those who may be led astray by all of the drama. 🙂
But what road is it exactly that he is going down Dr? We don’t even know yet. He has expressed his love for the church, told people to abide by the bishops decisions and that he will continue to speak and write in other capacities. That doesn’t exactly sound like a rejection of the Catholic faith. Perhaps he will speak more against abortion, against relativism, on the dignity of marriage, against violence in our culture. There are a host of issues that a good, well known, effective Catholic speaker could engage for the good of society. Put down the morning coffee, have a V8, take a brisk walk and get some fresh air and perspective. Give the man the benefit of the doubt. Give your readers the benefit of the doubt and the benefit of your knowledge and not your suspicions or visceral reactions to a event that has not yet played itself out. Father John might now just be a good Catholic watch dog for our culture and society. I think that this would be a wonderful thing.
Beth, nobody listens to people who don’t say anything. Playing the roll of the suffering servant doesn’t save anyone these days. We need people who voices who are willing to stand up to injustice and the culture death who are willing to use those God given voices. I don’t even think that we need get into what God wants. I’m sure that John Corapi has prayed very much about that already. I think that people need to get their nose out of joint. The Catholic bishops can survive a little just criticism. Some have likely earned it.
Brian,
You are a good man, and I always appreciate your commentary. My perspective has been formed in the crucible of four years of seminary life, and an entire adult life of priests who have been among my closest friends and mentors. It’s a perspective not from the pews, but from the dinner table, where the daily realities are discussed frankly.
Father Corapi has given us a looking glass into the present and the future. It is a word. One word:
“BLACK”
The black sheepdog. That’s the subtle rebellion against the bishops. Every time Mr. John Corapi preaches as the black sheepdog, that very name will call people to resent the bishops who “forced” Corapi to trade in his white alb, and to become the black outsider. Perhaps there are those who believe that I’m not giving Father a fair shake here. In fact, I wrote as one of his biggest supporters in the Catholic blogosphere when the allegations first came to light, and I still believe him to be in a no-win position.
However, BLACK is the operative word in all of this. It contains the subtle, evil manipulation of the people. I reiterate:
Father needs to sit tight and stay where he is. He was called to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ for a reason. He must stay where his Master has called him and await the fullness of that plan to be revealed in God’s time, not his.
He has my prayers.
I agree with your rationale, Doc. I feel as though he is emoting and acting on it. He is a priest — forever!! Many saints were “exiled” or ostracised due to whatever reason. History records that they were falsely accused. e.g. St. Hilary of Poitier, St John Nepomuscene, St. Thomas More. All took their circumstances ‘on the chin’ and with God’s grace, made the most of the time ‘in exile’, becoming prolific in writing. I’m hoping and praying that our dear friend will remain in the priesthood, ‘take it on the chin’ and be in that way, the fighter that he truly is. We love you, Fr. John Corapi!
Oh, bitter day.
I have been praying for him to see this as his cross — if the allegations were not true.
If the allegations were true I have been praying for his soul, for his repentance, and for his penitence in silence.
It is a bitter, bitter day.
I can only pray and trust in Jesus.
Pray from this “valley of tears.”
[…] Comments « Goodbye, Father Corapi […]
Alright. I’m adding more. I made my last comments before listening to his video. I think perhaps the Holy Spirit is in this. I still pray for him, and for the Church to make a Holy response. I will pray for his restoration, and for a fruitful ministry — and I pray for him to remain faithful to Holy Mother Church in whatever way he can. I will wait and see what direction he takes.
I do still wish he had more patience. I myself have been patient in my life for quite some time in what God has allowed. And there have been many fruits in that patience — as well as trials. But God in his great grace brings me closer to him each and every day.
Never leave home, Fr. Corapi. Never leave home.
To Brian F.Hudon: Thankyou! Finally the voice of reason! For all Fr. C has done for all of us there are way too few showing him any real sympathy. Of course he feels like the black sheep. Look what these bishops have done to him. They have taken away his vocation in the priesthood which was preaching. ** The poor man is depressed beyond imagining**!!! Give the man a break for cryin’ out loud! What he’s been going through for th past three months must have been a living nightmare. Maybe he just wanted the pain to stop. You know, he is only human. I know we all think of him as a tough guy and maybe stronger than the rest but he has his limits. Put yourselves in his place and imagine truthfully how you would do. I would personally be in bed under the covers refusing to come out. I’m praying to St. Jude, the patron of impossible cases and I suggest you all do so too. If you want to have masses said for Fr. Corapi you can do so for a very few dollars donation by calling the Shrine of St Jude at: 1-312-226-0020 in Chicago, Illinois.
Dear Father Corapi,
You are clearly suffering terribly and I am so sorry for your heavy, heavy burden.
From the looks of it, the Catholic Church botched it again by mishandling a nuisance/delicate situation. Your priesthood should not be taken, NOR SHOULD YOU RELINQUISH IT unless you are required by Holy Mother Church. They have not asked you to relinquish your priesthood, but they are passive agressively punishing you as they did Padre Pio. Can’t you see, Father Corapi, that you are caving in??? DONT CAVE.
Follow the example of Padre Pio. You are probably being formed for sainthood. This is a test.
If you flirted, confess it. If you crossed a line, confess it. If you REALLY crossed a line, confess it. But for Heaven’s sake, do not give up your priesthood. If you are innocent, embrace the cross and stay silent, and we will pray in union with your silence in humilty,
H U M I L I T Y….and the lamb like smallness will demolish the devil once and for all. Don’t quit!
God bless you.
Mellie Morgan
I don’t have enough information, but I do have personal history where my Bishop would not defend the rights of my family, after an abusive situation. We as a family were silenced. Maybe Father Corapi is not just a “black sheep dog.” But could he possibly be a sheep dog for black sheep. Could he be a help to those of us who have been hurt in the church, but still believe in it and love it ? Yet always feel as the piece that no longer fits? The piece that others do not understand because their faith walk has not included this “darkness.” This could be a very good thing. I heard him speak in this recording twice, he does not want to hurt the church. He does, however want truth and justice for all. That is a good thing. We must not react like a dysfunctional family and sweep everything under the rug.
Marie
Thank you, Gerard, for the clarification, and I apologize for misunderstanding. I do see what you are referring to in terms of the tone of the message; it actually has me quite disturbed, fearful that this may be the beginning of a precipitous decline into severe disaster, from which recovery would require a miracle of Mercy. Nonetheless, even if he were to return to all the sins of his former life and then some, I would still feel obligated to pray for his conversion unto my dying day and beyond. I hope all who have benefited from his ministry in the past will do the same.
I guess it bothers me reading the constant comparisons of Fr. Corapi’s to saints like Padre Pio and St. Gerard Majella. There is no one-size-fits-all template for holiness. Jerome was arrogant, bombastic, self-referential, and obnoxious. The objects of his venom were men like Augustine. Yet he recognized this weakness of character, and became a saint. I have no idea of what the truth is regarding Fr. Corapi, but I hate seeing any man dismissed simply because he does not as yet appear to show the signs of heroic sanctity. Why do we even remember Sts. Pio and Gerard? Because men like them are so bloody scarce in the Body of Christ! As scripture says, “the Lord is glorious in his saints.” Still, the day to day work of the Church is sadly not, for the most part, done by Pios and Gerards, but by men who deeply love Jesus, but also have big mouths and egos, kick themselves in the butt when they get home to the rectory at night over the dumb things they’ve said and done that day, and then pray for mercy and amendment of life. Please don’t compare Corapi, or me, or any other priest to the saints. That’s not why they’re there, and can only lead to being pharisaical about priests who don’t meet your criteria. Rather, let each one compare our own soul to the great saints so we can learn to say from the heart, “God, be merciful to ME — a sinner.”
I think you’ve written a very thoughtful post that expresses the sentiments of many Catholics. I love Fr. Corapi and have heard him speak in person. His message is timely and he has undoubtedly helped many souls back to Christ.
But I believe he is making a big mistake here.
I too, found his message dark. The imagery , the blog everything is very dark.
Don’t I know all too well, how easy it is to be a good Catholic or obedient to God when things are going well.
Perhaps his expectations are too great – the Church seems to move like molasses on some things…..
Fr. Frank thank you too for your reminder: priests, especially saintly ones are still human beings..
I’m sure they know it! 🙂
God bless
I wonder if someone who had tons of money and power decided they did not want that Bishop to do what he is doing, if things would be different. If you have enough money you can buy anything in the Catholic Church. Annulments are still sold for people who can afford them.
Margot,
I’m balancing this Corapi mess on the one hand and a weekend of seeing my children receive awards for excellence in their dance classes, sports, Boy Scouts, etc. I’m not going to get involved with the response your slur deserves, because it won’t be charitable or pretty. Others may, if they wish.
So, what religion/denomination are you, and what do you stand in support of?
Ditto, Leila. I’ve read alot of commentary the last 24 hrs & this is the best/most balanced. I’ll tweet.
Black sheepdog reminds me of St Josemaria Escriva’s reference to himself as “mangy donkey,” something Fr Corapi sometimes mentioned in his talks. I’m not suggesting that Fr C is a saint, rather that he may have chosen his nickname after identifying with the struggles of one of the saints.
In any case, I pray that he will be faithful to vows he made in his order and obedient to those God has placed in authority over him.
Who among the comboxers can say they prayed adequately, daily, for priests? Not me. Mea culpa, and forgive me Fr. Corapi for not having your back or flank.
I am Catholic, a convert, but I haven’t particularly been a fan of Fr. Corapi’s. Not my style, you understand.
But I can honestly say that I think the man is caught up in the crazy system that is the Catholic church, and I don’t blame him for not wanting to twist in the wind, no matter what he did or didn’t do.
This is not an uncommon situation, you understand. There are a lot of people situated in parishes who don’t know how many “suspended” and unincardinated priests there are in this world. There are many. Most Catholics don’t have a mental category for this, and it upsets them. But it does happen with some regularity. It’s just that most of them aren’t as high profile as John Corapi.
I personally know two, in fact. One of them developed a personal problem which is now handled and he works in another field far from his original diocese. One of them was accused of something trivial (because anything else was unbelievable) and quietly chased out of the diocese on a ruse. IT happens.
Because I personally don’t know much about this case, I don’t have any judgment to make, you know. Just that I know that these things happen with amazing regularity. This appears to be one of the dangers of being vowed, etc. It is a fact that there may be something to these allegations, but again there may not and this may have all been political in nature. We probably will never know.
PS. I think the black sheepdog thing is weird. But then, you remember, I said that he wasn’t exactly my style. Who knows what all that is about. I don’t. To be fair, maybe he is just trying to figure out how to put food on the table in his old age with this nasty economy. That’s a real possibility.
Judge not so that thou won’t be judge.
The fight against evil comes in many forms – not always pretty or quiet. Our God can be an angry God. Why should anyone assume that that fighting a battle against evil is done by living a monastic quiet life with his SOLT brothers? He may be following God’s Will. There is more than one way to skin a cat.
Fr. Frank, Your comment is the best and most honest, I have read in all of this. God bless you and all our Priest! Margie
Margot,
I’m sorry but I take STRONG issue with your annulment statement. I have an annulment. I did not pay for it because I could not afford it. My annulment was granted on the merits of my case and NOTHING else.
God bless
Brian F Hudon says to Beth:
“Playing the roll of the suffering servant doesn’t save anyone these days.” Wow. Really? Tell me you didn’t really mean that. Isn’t that what is re-presented to us at every Mass? Jesus’ saving act is still saving! Following in the footsteps of Jesus (a.k.a. the Suffering Servant) is what we are called to do. Are you saying that taking up a cross is useless “these days”? Is that no longer relevant “these days”? People underestimate the eternal good that comes from obedience, because we can’t see beyond the veil the good our quiet suffering does. But the Father sees. Does it matter if no one else sees? Does everything have to be done by loud shouting back and forth? Accepting a share in the suffering of Christ is not easy, but it certainly is not useless.
God Bless you Fr. Corapi, Don’t ever give up. The evil one is trying to destroy you and many who follow you. Stay STRONG for all of us, We need priests like you. PLEASE listen to your heart. We’re all praying for you. YOU WILL be BACK. You’re not alone , we’re all with you. God loves you Come back to us.
Fr. Corapy Stay strong ,, we’re all praying for you. You will come back . God Bless you
I think Father Corapi is making the right decision… to hell with them and their big Ted Kennedy Catholic funerals, their phoney Catholic colleges, their Father Phelgers and all of their pro-abortion politicians. He can do better being on his own.
This man needs some time, just let the Holy Spirit do his work. The Church may need to change the way it deals with sexual issues. Many saints have gone through many trials and also reacted in many ways. We pray for you Fr Corapi. We just might need some new bishops urgently in the Catholic Church all over the world.
I never followed the man; his style was off-putting (and no crime in that; I annoy folks in my own way). But as a Viet-Nam veteran I really do want to know if Fr. Corapi ever claimed to be a Green Beret and / or a combat veteran. Please know that all military service is honorable, and an Airman 2c guarding an aircraft in the middle of the night at Frozenb*tt AFB in North Dakota or or a PFC manning a typewriter in D.C. can well be proud of his service. It’s the puffery that gets people into trouble. So I really do want to know — no second-hand accounts or gossip, please — if the man exaggerated his military service.
I wrote a reply but lost it. I believe in Fr. Corapi and I believe in truth that Is Jesus and His mercy will free Father Corapi. God brings good out of evil circumstances and He will help Father Corapi because He loves him. Our priests need our support and prayers and I know Our Blessed Mother loves them all so very much and won’t let them alone for they are so special as was her Suffering Son Jesus in His Passion and she was with Him through it all. Father Corapi is special to her and I know he loves her as he taught us to remember her and pray the Rosary. Let us trust as we pray Our Mother to help us all.
Do you figure he’ll go the way of Malachi Martin, except not probably traditionalist? Was Fr. John O’Connor a traditionalist? He was not politically correct, for sure, but was a whistle-blowing wave maker.
Well said. Thank you.
Bitterness maybe, where do you get “rage” from? Corapi has not exhibited anything near rage and that is an unfair characterization.
My Dear Father Corapi,
I am so sorry to hear what has happened. Remember Father, the evil one prowls to and fro looking for someone to devour. The evil one has found those to devour and its not you, unfortunately you are caught in the snare.
Stand strong and firm, I pray to the Lord my God to place a hedge of protection around you.
You have given me strength and hope and through your ministry has brought me back to the Catholic faith. You are my inspiration.
I don’t care what happened, all I care about is that the Lord give you the strength and the grace to withstand the ferocious poisonous darts that have targeted you.
May you be calm in the eye to the storm.
Father, you have reached so many of us that a whimpy priest could never touch.
You are loved, respected and highly acknowledged by more people that you can even imagine. Your transparent testimony has stuck those of the real world enabling us to know that the Lord loves the sinner with open arms.
I thank God for you everyday.
God Speed my friend and advisor. I hold you up in the arms of the Lord,
Praise be to God,
Rose Simms
Dog (the artist formerly known as Father Corapi) is revealing himself as a self-serving, money-grubbing phony. He’s preached for years about the importance of the authority of the Church, about the need for obedience, and the value of redemptive suffering. Now, when he faces a trial himself, he abandons the principles he’s been espousing (and making a lot of money by doing so) and publicly criticizes the Bishops and the Church, rejects their authority, and is apparently breaking the sacred vows he took when he was ordained so he can be the “Black Sheep Dog” – whatever that’s supposed to mean. For Dog, apparently sacred, sacramental vows are only meant to be followed as long as they’re convenient. Is that what he’s going to teach his new flock (Dog’s Sheep?) about their marriage vows? He’s as phony as his claims to have been in the Special Forces in the military – it’s documented that he never had any association or training with the Special Forces. He lied about that to build himself up – and that’s what he, like every narcissist, is all about – himself. He doesn’t care about the people he’s misleading away from the Church. His new superhero name ought to be Wolf in Shepherd’s Clothing.
The discrepancies between his claims about his military service and the records are the most telling factor for me. Military service is something to be respected, to be honored. I cannot respect a man who would lie about his service. What will be interesting is how he addresses this issue in his upcoming autobiography. He’s on the radar among those who monitor such things, and there are new laws regarding such phony claims.
His Hollywood claims don’t pan out, either. My brother is a well-known DP, he says no one, but no one, has ever heard of this guy, not in the local real estate industry, not anywhere
Fr Corapi is leading no one away from the Church.. He is not leading a rebellion. He was advised by his mentor.. the FOUNDER OF SOLT and another bishop – to file the civil defamation suit as the only way he could have a fair and just hearing. The same action stopped SOLT’s investigation.
Of course SOLT is not a court. You want public vindication you do it in the public arena. Fr Corapi has a world wide ministry so to continue in his ministry – to clear his name – he would have to prove it in court. Perhaps if he succeeds in court he will return to the priesthood. I pray that is so.