Accused: Father Corapi Placed on "Administrative Leave" - Updated

The Deacon's Bench ^ | March 19, 2011 | Deacon Kandra

[johniegrad]

The celebrated speaker and televangelist posted the following statement on his web site:On Ash Wednesday I learned that a former employee sent a three-page letter to several bishops accusing me of everything from drug addiction to multiple sexual exploits with her and several other adult women. There seems to no longer be the need for a complaint to be deemed “credible” in order for Church authorities to pull the trigger on the Church’s procedure, which was in recent years crafted to respond to cases of the sexual abuse of minors. I am not accused of that, but it seems, once again, that they now don’t have to deem the complaint to be credible or not, and it is being applied broadly to respond to all complaints. I have been placed on “administrative leave” as the result of this.

I’ll certainly cooperate with the process, but personally believe that it is seriously flawed, and is tantamount to treating the priest as guilty “just in case”, then through the process determining if he is innocent. The resultant damage to the accused is immediate, irreparable, and serious, especially for someone like myself, since I am so well known. I am not alone in this assessment, as multiple canon lawyers and civil and criminal attorneys have stated publicly that the procedure does grave damage to the accused from the outset, regardless of rhetoric denying this, and has little regard for any form of meaningful due process.

All of the allegations in the complaint are false, and I ask you to pray for all concerned.

[Religion Moderator]

Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.

[Antoninus]

This thread is yet another example of the pathetic clique of pseudo-Christians who rejoice over the downfall of any Catholic priest. They even rejoice when mere accusations are flung at said priest, assuming that they are true before any proof at all is presented.

Such behavior doesn't even bear passing resemblance to Christianity. That much is not lost on most perceptive readers of these threads.

Even during the halcyon days of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart, etc., I realized that only the basest scoundrel could find satisfaction in their respective falls. To use them to score political or religious points is the province of the immoral Left, not Christians.

[Celtic Cross]

I assume that is a universally applied rule?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." -- Matthew 7:15-20

[Celtic Cross]

Meaning?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

If you need help understanding Christ’s words, keep reading the Bible and pray for the Holy Spirit to guide your study.

[WVKayaker]

[Celtic Cross]

I understand the bible passage. My questions is rather; what do you mean to imply by it?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

The beauty of Scripture is that even a child can understand it.

[Celtic Cross]

These are lovely hints and all, but please just come straight out with it. What exactly do you want me to take away with me from your post?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

The words of Christ are not “hints,” lovely or otherwise.

They are “spirit” and “life” (John 6:63) for those given ears to hear and eyes to see.

[TSgt]

[Celtic Cross]

"The words of Christ are not “hints,” lovely or otherwise."

Certainly not. But your posts are full of oblique statements. Cease to beat around the bush, please, and explain how you believe that bible passage applies to the case of Father Corapi.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Cease to beat around the bush

I'm not doing that.

Christ's words are clear to anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear.

[Celtic Cross]

By which you are implying...What?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

We really could keep this up forever. Is that what you want?

I've answered your questions. I've given you the words of Christ as an example of sound Christian teaching on discerning the wheat from the tares.

If you are still confused, go back to the Bible and read it.

[Celtic Cross]

Perhaps you've misunderstood. You have not answered THIS question.

How, in your opinion, does that particular bible quote apply to the case of Father Corapi?

I'm looking for one straight answer; not inferences, not hints, not implications.