Posted on 04/01/2011 12:41:16 AM PDT by GonzoII
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...
(Excerpt) Read more at ncregister.com ...
Smart move.
Bruce Willis with a collar?
Read the comments in the original article (not the first one here) - amazing how hypocrisy follows envy and jealousy.
He should be wretchedly poor, unlike me. If he has money, he must be stealing, unlike me. He must be hiding something, unlike me. He ought be without sin, unlike me. He must be with sin, unlike me. He wont give up control of his books and tapes selling empire to the order that will spend it on itself and destroy its focus on prayer, unlike me. He wants freedom of political/social issue speech morethan a charitable tax break, and a profit, unlike me. He’s not sending the money, to me.
At the very moment we think he did or didn’t do something wrong, we should go to confession, as we have slandered him in our hearts - and now on-line.
Meanwhile the woman accusing needs help, Father Corapi needs help, the Church needs help. Who cares who’s telling the truth, that is for themselves to resolve out of love for Christ - we must pray there is healing and forgiveness all around and that the suffering will bring great good for Corapi, the woman accusing, and the Church.
I’m shocked to see how many Catholic Bloggers are trying to snake fame or readership from this situation. They need confession as much as everyone else.
Corapi is somehow autonomous from his religious order and his "for profit" company pockets all proceeds from his books and tapes, at least according to SOLT.
From the article (with questions and answers)...
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. (Corapi) began producing tapes that showcased his presentation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the subject of his doctoral dissertation.
So SOLT changed its constitution in 1994 and all proceeds from books and tapes by its members since then go to the order. Apparently Corapi made his deal with the order before 1994 and he's not being held to the constitution which has been in effect for the past 17 years.
Regardless, the Society of Another Mary is distancing itself from Corapi in very financial terms.
Wonder if the order is paying his legal bills?
And I wonder where all Corapi's money ends up? As they said, "No one knew it would become so big."
From a strictly pragmatic view, SOLT’s actions are quite understandable. If Corapi is going down they’re not going to be dragged down too.
That’s what it looks like.
Wonder how accurate Corapi’s tax returns are? They were mentioned in the article so someone wants people to believe they’re all above-board.
And if not, it’s Corapi’s tax problem and not the Society’s.
Who is paying his legal fees?
Each disclosure is more troubling. Unfortunately, it will get more ugly before things get better. Whatever the outcome of this woman’s accusations, I would guess that there will be no more business as usual with Fr. Corapi and Santa Cruz Media. SCM is under the authority of the Church, albeit indirectly. If the Bishop orders Fr. Corapi to close SCM, I don’t see how he could refuse without serious sanctions. SCM is Fr. Corapi.
I’ve heard Father Benedict Groeschel rail against the Supreme Court and abortion, and he isn’t concerned about profit and non-profit status. He also is a vocal advocate of all priests taking a vow of poverty.
I’ll keep praying that for this entire situation to be sorted out quickly and fairly.
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.
So the claims that he had a vow of poverty is specious to say the least..this man lives the life of a single man with his own home and mega money coming in ... no oversight of personal behavior or finances ..
But that is just my opinion based on Romans 13
Apparently those late night Las Vega mobster habits are hard to break.
Las Vegas.
My guess is there is lots of digging going on right now..I would not find it surprising if his “superiors” closed their eyes to how he lived.. because he had become a celebrity in the church.. a Catholic Jimmy Swagart ?
Yep. The end always justifies the means, according to Rome.
I'm sorry you see this as an opportunity to slam the Catholic Church.
I forgive you.
Actually, that's the error of consequentialism, if you really want to go "according to Rome".
Does the "end" (destroying Catholicism) justify the "means" (making false statements about Catholic doctrine), in your view?
When and if you ever see a “false statement about (Roman) Catholic doctrine,” ping me to it and we can discuss it.
Hard to say who is footing his legal bills but he does have income from his sales and I suppose enough supporters to cover the cost.
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