EWTN releases new statement on Fr. Corapi — UPDATED

Patrick Madrid has the scoop:

We are aware that many of our supporters are disappointed in EWTN’s decision to remove Father John Corapi’s programs from the Network during his administrative leave.  We too are greatly disappointed that EWTN had to make this difficult decision. We can  assure you that it was made with much prayer and careful discernment.

The fact is that Father John’s own religious community has placed him on administrative leave and his capacity to function publicly as a priest has been suspended during the investigation of the charges against him.  This was officially communicated to all of the bishops of the country in a statement saying that, “…Fr. Corapi has been placed on administrative leave and has had all of his priestly faculties removed.”

In EWTN’s thirty years of existence, the Network has never knowingly aired programming featuring any priest whose priestly faculties have been suspended. The Network has always responded consistently and immediately in such situations by removing such programs from the air.  We are obliged to do so in obedience to the discipline of the Church.

Father John has long been a friend of EWTN and many of us have worked closely with him throughout the years.  He is a tremendously gifted preacher who has led many souls to Christ.  We are doing exactly as he has asked and supporting him and everyone involved in the situation in the best way possible, through our prayers.

It is also our prayer that this matter will be brought to a speedy resolution so that Father John’s programs can be returned to the airwaves.

This strikes me as sensible and sensitive, and in keeping with canon law.  If a priest’s faculties are suspended, it means he cannot celebrate the sacraments publicly, wear clerical attire, or publicly present himself as a priest.  If he can’t do that now, he shouldn’t be doing it on a broadcast, even if it was taped when he was a priest in good standing.

Let’s continue to pray for a swift and positive resolution to this whole matter, for the sake of Fr. Corapi — and for the sake of all his faithful viewers, too.

UPDATE: On Friday, one week after Fr. Corapi was put on administrative leave, his media company has posted a statement on his website.