“God knows full well all that is happening and if Father Corapi is innocent as he claims, then perhaps the priest is being used as a poster child to fix a broken process. “
— Diane Korzeniewski, TeDeum Laudamus Blog
Those are the sanest words yet written about this story, which is producing a lot of sound and fury in some quarters, signifying not-much, and producing little-to no light.
I can’t remember if it was a comment or an email but someone actually wrote these words:
This man is pretty much America’s lone voice of the Church’s Truth.
What astonishing nonsense; what an untruth! What a slanderous and diminishing insult to the thousands of fine, orthodox faithful priests and religious, deacons, seminarians and lay people who put their whole hearts and souls into serving this church and its truth with fervor, courage and complete fidelity. Fr. Corapi is a very fine preacher and a priest who has worked with the Holy Spirit to bring many souls back to Christ or to a deeper understanding of the mysteries of his Bride, the church. To say anything more than that is to betray something unhealthy beneath all the admiration. Corapi, I am sure, would be the first to refute that bizarre claim as the unloving, uncharitable, un-church-serving slander it is.
Let us recap what we do and do not know, so far:
What we do know: Whether it is a constructive or — as Gerald Nadal suggests — destructive decision, Fr. John Corapi, a fine priest and preacher, with a large following of Catholics who have gained fervor for the church through his orations, has been placed on administrative leave, in the face of accusations which all of us hope are untrue.
What we do not know: Who has put him on leave, whether it was his bishop or, as seems more likely, his religious superior.
What we do know: A religious superior is in charge of the good and welfare of the hearts, minds and spirits of those in his or her charge, so there is a good-faith presumption that whoever did this must have thought it a good thing, in some measure, for Corapi – even if it is meant, only, to give him time to pray.
What we do not know: Why that superior/bishop has chosen to do this; good-faith assumes the best.
What we do know: Old Scratch has his hand in all of this, because — whatever the real story is — someone is lying, so the Father of Lies must be a part of it, in any case. And it’s Lent.
What we do not know: No matter how fervent our respect, no matter how dear our hopes, none of us can possibly know what the story is.
What we do know: Corapi is certainly not “guilty by association” with some beard dye any more than he is “innocent by association” with his priesthood and the church.
What we do not know: Whether EWTN has suspended Corapi-centered programming.
What we do know: Writing letters insisting that EWTN “defend” Fr. Corapi is unrealistic; it is fairly common procedure for institutions of all sorts to take a step back when an investigation of any of its members is ongoing, for the sake of the organization’s own exposure to liability, and (more importantly) its credibility. EWTN is not, suddenly, a “bad Catholic” organization, any more than anyone else who is choosing to “wait and see” is a “bad” Catholic.
What we do not know: Where the line blurs between honoring and respecting a fellow human being — which involves acknowledging the fullness of his/her gifts and faulty humanity — and slipping into the sort of hero-worship that will brook no human wondering, without lashing out; only God and our own consciences can know that.
What we do know: Better to take refuge in the Lord than to put one’s trust in mortals. Better to take refuge in the Lord than to put one’s trust in princes. And our “princes” are anyone we love to such excess (family, co-religionists, politicians, entertainers) that it gets in the way of seeking Christ and his will, first and foremost.
What we do not know: the state of anothers’ soul – not even of those we love, or do not love.
What we do know: “wait and see; pray for all concerned” is good counsel. Venting may be cathartic but hysteria, name-calling and misidentifying enemies serves nothing but the Father of All Chaos.
What we do not know: why God allows things to happen.
What we do know: all things ultimately work for the Glory of God, even if we do not always recognize how, while we’re in the midst of events.
UPDATE: Frank Weathers writes about When St. Macarius the Great was accused
Deacon Greg: Fr. Corapi likely already has a good team in place
Fr. Dwight Longenecker: Writes of once being mistaken for Corapi and what lessons he took from that
UPDATE II:
Mark Shea makes some salient points:
Naturally, I presume innocence until guilt is proven. But come on: If it were any other priest and these charges were brought we would be *screaming* at the bishop or superior in charge of the priest to pull the guy out of action until an investigation could be made and screaming hysterically at the preferential treatment of priests over victims if they didn’t. So let’s show some consistency here, okay? Amy Welborn noted way back during the Long Lent that even when priests had *gobs* of evidence against them (as Fr. Corapi does not at this point), their congregations would rally to them and say, “Oh, not *my* beloved priest! Other priests are bad, but *my* beloved priest is being treated meanly by the Church”.
So we need to make up our minds. Are we going to demand rigorous investigations and accountability for clergy–except with Fr. Corapi because we happen to feel–on the basis of no actual knowledge of the man other than what we see on TV–that he is one of us?
It’s difficult to excerpt, but it should be read.
Julie at Happy Catholic on both Fr. Corapi and Archbishop Dolan
Pat Archbold has the statement from Corapi’s superior
Also writing:
Lisa Graas
Michael Sean Winters
I agree with you. His following post makes it clear that he is not accusing Fr. Corapi. Let’s hope and pray that Fr. Corapi was not so proud as to ignore the temptations of his celebrity and almost cult-like status.
Many people all over the world are plagued by bad breath. To say doing one thing or another will cure it? Well the research says ‘not really’. In any case bad breath left unchecked will ruin your entire life. You feel life isn’t worth living. While there are many different types of things that call themselves bad breath ‘cures,’ The only thing to work for me after all else failed is Oraltech Labs, hope it helps you too. JC
I wholeheartedly do not believe these awful allegations, attributed to Fr. Corapi. I am currently in RCIA class at St.Peter’s churchn in Aurora IL. I will officially become Catholic at the Easter Vigil on April 23rd. this is in no small part because of Fr. Corapi’s ministry. These accusations are from the pit of hell in my view. this man is a fine servant of the triune God, who unapologetically preaches the true Catholic faith. This makes Satan fearful, that wretched beast.
I will be praying for Fr. Corapi, and all those involved with this awful situation.
I dont know if anyone commented, forgive me. Fr corapi looks like he is battling cancer and dying his beard could hide side effects of treatment which will also may also explain his skin color (not tanning but actually a side effect of some chemo is hyperpigmentation)
Yep.
Your right, Jesus wasn’t accused of adultery or drugs, he was just accused of healing through devil worship and now the world tries to say he had a relationship with Mary Magdalene. Nothing too serious (ha)…..
It just goes on and on where the devil tries to pit our faith against Christianity. Brother against Brother, Sister against Sister, kill the family of Christ.
I yearn for Jesus’ return. Come Jesus, heal us all.
Transfigure us o’ LORD, break the chains that bind us, heal us with your words and where You lead, we’ll follow, Transfigure us o’ LORD
Bravo Ann, I know you are a prayer warrior so I will add…
Pray, Pray Pray. There is no disappointment in prayer.
Yes Anne, “For Father Corapi to ask for prayer for all concerned” I would say that he is wanting of EVERYONE’S prayers RIGHT NOW. Father Corapi knows justice lays in the hands of GOD alone.
LET US ALL STOP AND PRAY THE LORD’S PRAYER.
Brother and Sisters in CHRIST,
It is not our place as Catholics to criticize whatsoever, but Father Corapi is a “PRIEST”, a position appointed by Jesus Himself. He needs our prayer as Catholics, not our criticism!!!
Pray the Divine Mercy Novena from Good Friday until the first Sunday after Easter and keep Father Corapi in this selfless prayer. Not only will this prayer work, but it will wipe away ones’ sins AND the punishment for ones’ sins. It is the only prayer of its kind.
GOD bless you ALL in Jesus Christ, AMEN
GUEST, You are a person who hides your identity. There is no credibility in that…..
Just keep the prayer going and the light will illuminate!!!
PRAY WITH YOUR HEART, not your mind.
THE CHURCH WILL STAND AGAINST THE GATES OF HELL AND THE POPE IS INFALLIBLE.
LOOK FOR THIS POPE AND THE NEXT POPE AND THEN YOU WILL SEE SAINT MALACHY’S PROPHECY FULFILLED.
I have been praying all day for justice for all concerned.
If we aren’t looking to GOD as Christians should be,
then what good are we.
I have been praying all day for justice for all concerned.
If we aren’t looking to GOD as Christians should be,
then what good are we.
AMEN !!!
AMEN !!!
I will pray for you brother.
I will pray for you brother.
Can you tell me what the young lady’s name is? NO….
So WHO has more to lose if the allegations aren’t true? The lady with no name or Father Corapi who has a name?
I pray that Father Corapi is innocent of whatever charges this unnamed woman claims, and if he is, what a injustice this will be for him. But if he isn’t innocent, then once again a priest has fallen from grace
(far from pedophilia, mind you).
I will understand it and move on, and still pray for Father Corapi and his Priesthood.
I am praying for Father Corapi now, as all should be, who believe in his innocence
AMEN
I will do it on Friday mass
Guest, but understand that it has not been proven yet.
Don’t make something more of what it really is, it is just an accusation!!!
Pray for the Priests Daniel…..Jesus would want you to.
You too Guest, Pray for the Priests if you believe in the Priesthood
Yes, we as a Catholic Church are going through this persecution together, but Father Corapi is the Priest who is in the light of it all. Darkness seems to be all around, but there is still the light of Christ.
As a Priest, he asked for prayer for all concerned. That sounds like a good Priest to me.
His remark concerning how he is being stripped of his authority because of the way the church law is, will not change, even if his innocence is declared.
I will pray for Father Corapi even if he had an affair(s).
Because people like gossip in these days, people are writing all kinds of garbage for their own enjoyment. HOW sad…….
Just pray and hope for the best for all parties concerned, but hopefully Father Corapi is innocent as we all should want to believe if you believe in Priests…..
You’re not a Priest so a wife is out of the question for Father Corapi…..
Father Corapi is a priest. It is an affair(s) that Father Corapi is accused of, but still it has not been substantiated. You just want to see a bad scenario for the Priest come forth, rather than hope for the best for all concerned. This is very judgmental on your part.
Father Corapi is already guilty in your eyes. You won’t pray for the outcome, you probably don’t even believe in prayer, so why bother with the devils work?
It is the devils work to tempt an uprising of sorts, you know that don’t you?
Try praying for a change…..
Father Corapi preaches to many and just because you don’t feel like he helped you is not the point. The point is JESUS.
To hope it all works out for the best for all involved is good, but at least say a prayer for the situation if you believe in JESUS.
I BELIEVE THAT PRAYER IS THE ANSWER.
I BELIEVE THAT PRAYER IS THE ANSWER.
AMEN
Remember that Jesus’ disciples denied HIM in his final hour. The analogy if Father Corapi is innocent is the same. There are many who have the courage to write dark filled thoughts to destroy a Priest, but when it comes to challenging what is taking place in the Catholic Church, there are few like Father Corapi.
I do understand what you are saying ThirstforTruth, but the only way that Catholicism will persevere in this case is through Prayer, Fasting, Adoration and Mass.
Hopefully Father Corapi will be vindicated. Then, and only then will the Catholic Church rise in Jesus Christ.
Pray, Fast, Adore and go to Mass.. GOD bless you,
Wow, to turn good into evil is a perversion of the truth and it talks about that in the bible.
Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil: that put darkness for light, and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.”
Remember that Judas was also convinced that Jesus was not the Messiah… It’s very easy to lose faith and very hard to keep the faith.
He is not guilty yet or have you made your mind up already?
VERY TRUE..AMEN
JUST KEEP PRAYING…..
PLEASE……IT IS NOT EVEN WORTH HINTING SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
REMEMBER THE OLD ADAGE WHEN SOMEONE WHISPERS IN THE EAR AND IT GETS BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION.
I’m just trying to decode Thirst’s baffling prose. Apparently, nobody’s going to tell me what on earth he/she means. If you can tell me where I said Fr. Corapi needs to be quiet, I’m all ears. In fact, what I said was that people who have absolutely no clue what they are talking about when they make confident pronouncements about the guilt and innocence of Corapi/his accuser should be quiet and mind their own business because they have no clue what they are talking about. How that transmogrified into a “blood oath to kick” him or some sort of innuendo is beyond my ken.
This is NOT a child abuse case. An investigation –warranted. An administrative leave till proven innocent — just what the devil ordered.
I’ve been praying for priest for years, that does not stop me from wondering why a priest would not have priestly faculties in the diocese in which he has lived for a considerable period of time. Without proper faculties, a priest can’t ordinarily validly grant absolution while hearing confessions, and should not be publicly celebrating Mass. It sounds like Father Corapi has indicated he no longer hears confessions. Has he had priestly faculties to allow him to hear confessions but he won’t due to his own personal concerns, or has he been without proper faculties for some time?
This is sad news, whether true or false. If Fr. Corapi is allowed to resume his ministry, he will join the likes of Padre Pio and Cardinal Berndardin who were falsely accused and suffered because of the false accusations.
I wouldn’t quite put Bernadin in the same category with St. Pio..
I know we can’t truly KNOW if Fr. Corapi is innocent or not. Any of us can sin at any moment. People who might bash the Church over this, have no concept of the fallen nature of mankind or sin in general. Not to mention this is not a criminal accusation (as we have seen in abuse scandal). I personally think Fr. Corapi is innocent and that the devil is doing his best to silence this living saint. I have only seen him talk a few times but the passion he has for the Faith can not be mistaken.
Well said, Jeff.
I disagree with the saint comment. I think saints like St. Teresa of Avila or St. Catherine of Siena (both Doctors of the Church) would have questioned Church authority if need be. Maybe not in public (since they were women after all, in a time period where women were not given equal rights) but I do remember St. Teresa being upset with the Inquisition when it was going around accusing people. She did not ignore it nor keep entirely silent on the matter. Same with St. Catherine who outed the false pope at the time.
Just because someone might think Church authority may be wrong or do something wrong, doesn’t mean they are disobeying the Church. One can still respect proper authority and be obedient while at the same time asking questions regarding the matter and being prudent. Hopefully this entire matter will be resolved quickly so that Fr. Corapi can get back to work. He has done so much damage to the devil’s work over the years, I’m sure Satan is really trying to just get back at him right now.
I agree with mdh. This is huge because it involves a man’s entire reputation, not to mention his vocation and career as a priest! Anyone would be rightly upset. The media have already done so much damage to the Church by their “quick to place guilt” on priests who can’t even defend themselves (those who are dead and are still accused of crimes). In this case, Fr. Corapi hasn’t done anything criminal at all but is accused of something that relates to his role as priest. I pray this ends quickly and the truth is revealed! May God bless Fr. Corapi!
In cyberspace, anyone can hide who they really are or take on a particular persona whether they sign in as “Guest” or “Rocc”. That’s just the way it is.
I recently left my parish of 10 years because the priest of 4 years there had marginalized me and others because of our standing up for the TRUTH. It’s plain and simple that there is a metasticized cancer in our church becthat neds to be cured with love. a
use
I apologize for lashing out at your character. I assumed and should never assume about ones’ character.
Don’t you think that Father Corapi should be given the same respect….even more so that he is a Priest???