There are many who have been genuinely shaken in their faith by the Father Corapi mess. I humbly offer the following.
Many have seen the love of God extend itself through Father Corapi’s ministry, and the encounter with God’s loving mercy has changed their lives forever. To all of these brothers and sisters, I say of Father Corapi, “Mission accomplished.”
It is the job of the priest to bring the people to Jesus and Jesus to the people. Some priests do this in their capacity as special preachers, such as Father Corapi, but then the faithful are handed off to the more intimate pastoral care of the priests who will hear their confessions and nourish them with the Eucharist. They have the Catechism of the Catholic Church to help develop their understanding of the faith. Yes, there is a special affinity for the one who led us home, but there should be an affinity, a love of God that eclipses that of the one who led us home. If there isn’t, then that is the first order of business in the continued spiritual journey.
Still, it can be frightening, confusing, disorienting, disillusioning. One verse from the Psalms, Psalm 46:10 is the perfect medicine:
“Be still, and know that I am Lord.”
The following is a beautiful, timeless, adaptation of that verse by Chuck Girard. We’re all going to be just fine, just as the Church has been in the 2000 years before Father Corapi.
Be still, and know that He is God.
Coming Home 
I will continue to pray for Fr. Corapi, for all involved in this situation, and for all those for whom Fr. Corapi’s preaching meant so much.
God will continue to bless His Church and all of the faithful. Keep looking to Jesus. All praise to our glorious God. The gates of hell will not prevail.
Pretty song! Here are my thoughts:
My opinion of Fr Corapi has not changed. He is a fine human being and remember God allowed him to be ordained. His religious order wants him to return and maybe after thinking about it some more, he will. Definitely needs prayers. (as do all of us!).
But that he’s a sinner – so what? Can any of us say we walked into church (or anywhere) sinfree? I don’t know about you all, but despite all the incredible blessings God has given me, I have offended Him greatly in past and still DO offend Him. But that’s what our church is all about and that is, that God’s mercy covers us. That the sacrifice of Our Blessed Lord Jesus was just FOR our sins and that remember, there are 7 capital sins – I’ve not committed the se/xual type but several in the other categories – is one worse than the other? ALL sin rips apart the fabric of Divine Providence.
Here’s another thought – we should not expect our priests or any of us in ministry to be perfect because perfect people do not need a church nor salvation. We are all sinners and our church is not a haven for the perfect but a M.A.S.H. for sinners.
And finally, you know, I can only speak for myself but I really don’t have a lot of time to judge others because judging myself and keeping my own nose clean is about a full time job and I still badly need the Sacraments especially Communion and Confession!
Besides as Blessed Mother Teresa said “If you judge people, you have no time to love them!”
I am saddened by this story but not completely surprised. When I listened to Fr. corapi he seemed a bit overly impressed with himself. I really did not feel fed. I prefer the humble speakers who radiate the love of God. They are harder to find and their words inspire me to goodness.
Very nice song. As for John Corapi and whoever is the next flavor of the month, remember that one monkey don’t stop no show.
God’s will be done.
[…] smoking…”UPDATE III: Deacon Greg’s quote of the day: from the Big Dog himself. Gerard NadalPosted in Uncategorized | Tagged Corapi | 32 Comments 32 Responses to “Conflicted about Corapi […]
Fr Willie Doyle SJ (www.fatherdoyle.com), the heroic military chaplain who died while ministering to wounded soldiers in World War 1, was especially devoted to the sanctification of priests. He offered many of this sufferings in the war, and his very considerable voluntary penances, for this intention. Amongst his numerous apostolic projects, in 1911 he became the Director-General for Ireland of the League for Priestly Sanctity, a French organisation founded in 1901. It may sound quaint to modern ears, but its work is greatly needed today!
Here is the prayer for priests composed by Fr Doyle:
O my God, pour out in abundance Thy spirit of sacrifice upon Thy priests. It is both their glory and their duty to become victims, to be burnt up for souls, to live without ordinary joys, to be often the objects of distrust, injustice, and persecution.
The words they say every day at the altar, “This is my Body, this is my Blood,” grant them to apply to themselves: “I am no longer myself, I am Jesus, Jesus crucified. I am, like the bread and wine, a substance no longer itself, but by consecration another.”
O my God, I burn with desire for the sanctification of Thy priests. I wish all the priestly hands which touch Thee were hands whose touch is gentle and pleasing to Thee, that all the mouths uttering such sublime words at the altar should never descend to speaking trivialities.
Let priests in all their person stay at the level of their lofty functions, let every man find them simple and great, like the Holy Eucharist, accessible to all yet above the rest of men. O my God, grant them to carry with them from the Mass of today, a thirst for the Mass of tomorrow, and grant them, ladened themselves with gifts, to share these abundantly with their fellow men. Amen.
[…] has a few thoughts on what this episode has done to the blogosphere. And Gerard Nadal strikes a compassionate note toward Corapi’s followers — many of whom are confused, angry and feeling understandably […]
Beautiful song!
I am not saying that I know whether Father Corapi is innocent or guilty but I am not so quick to judge him or suspect him of wrongdoing because I was scapegoated by a prominent Catholic institution just so they could save face or keep their reputation clean. It was a complicated situation since I rented from a lady professor but all I wanted to do was stop the guy who assaulted me from hurting any other women/girls and the school wanted to cover their butts since I met the guy through the professor. I still love this Catholic institution and it does great work defending and teaching the faith. I know humans can sin, especially those in power. This is why I still struggle in my relationship with the Church. I love all the precepts which the Church teaches and believe them but I was crushed when this happened to me. This is why I’m not so quick to believe allegations without any proof. Prayers for all concerned are in order.
Pray for Father Corapi, be wise and acknowledge the good he has done,
realize he is a human being like all of us made in the image of God but stained with the ability to sin. Has he sinned? I certainly do not know. He who is without sin cast the first stone. This man has many God given talents and as has been written before he has done much good. Let us all pray for forgiveness and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are to pray and love each others, sinners, even those who hate us and would do us harm. Christ loves Father Corapi just as he loves all.Evil is among us but we must not give in to it. Just pray and be diligent in our love of God.