Fr. Corapi Has Lost It

National Catholic Register ^ | Saturday, June 18, 2011 | Jimmy Akin

[GonzoII]

Fr. John Corapi has published a statement—also available in video form—in which he has announced that he is leaving active ministry as a priest.

He’s right.

He is. And he has.

Unless something extraordinarily improbable occurs, he will never again function as a Catholic priest.

And it’s his fault.

I do not know whether he is guilty of the sexual misconduct of which he is apparently accused. I have no way of determining that.

Frankly, from what is known of the situation, the entire thing sounds weird, and it did from the beginning. Both what was known about the accuser’s actions sounded weird (although that could have been due to imperfect representation of the facts) and also Fr. Corapi’s public reaction was weird. This made if hard to judge where potential misdoing was likely to lie. It could have been with either party—or both.

But at this point it doesn’t really matter which one was at fault or whether both were, because Fr. Corapi—who is likely soon to be laicized whether he applies for this or not—has taken it upon himself to end the matter by publicly abandoning his priesthood.

If his statement is any guide, this was not forced upon him. This was something he freely chose.

In fact, it may have chosen it some time ago, since in his statement he said that his autobiography, titled “The Black SheepDog.” This may be a work that he has been producing since the sexual allegations first emerged against him, and that may signal that he has been planning this current move—or aspects of it—for some time.

The name of the book is also worthy of attention: “The Black SheepDog.” This is a portmanteau of “the black sheep” and “sheep dog.”

[SumProVita]

The Curt Jester has a very balanced take on all this:

http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/2011/06/taking-his-marbles-and-going-home

[NYer]

I disagree with Akin's analysis. As a matter of fact, I think it's shameful that the Register even allowed it to be printed.

The NC Register was acquired by EWTN earlier this year. Since they authorized publication of the article, one might conclude this also reflects their view on the situation. Your thoughts?

[mockingbyrd]

I disagree. For too long there was a heavy veil of secrecy that allowed pervert priests to be shuffled about, evil bishops to suppress good and holy priests, and in general allowed evil to fester in the Church.

Fr. Corapi wouldn’t participate. Rather than sit silently for years, possibly decades, leaving the faithful to wonder, he opened up the process (his perspective, but I trust him more than I do most American bishops) and wouldn’t play ball. He absolutely burned bridges, but I think he did the right thing.

He never once spoke out against the Church, he spoke out against the corruption that has been allowed to fester in secret. And it’s about time someone did. Sunlight is exact what the Church needs, especially when dealing with accusations against priests.

[SumProVita]

The Vatican has recently conveyed the need for bloggers to be prudent. This is why I find my views on this to be most compatible with those of Jeff Miller (Curt Jester). I also think that there is a mountain of opinions being written....and not enough prayer.

I have tried to access the NC Register to see what Jimmy Akin actually wrote....but the website is not currently responding.

[NYer]

Agreed. You should post it as a thread.

[trisham]

I’m not sure that he was very balanced. He’s also a terrible writer.

[trisham]

I don’t know what to think.

[annalex]

Fr. Corapi was never going to get a chance at being a test case; instead, he was going to be put on ice indefinitely. I trust that his Canon and Civil lawyers have done a sufficiently good job in counseling him and demonstrating that he has no possibility of justice under the current system.

I think you are right. This also explains the resignation (if that is the right word) from priesthood. As a layman he gains the ability to speak out against the system. In fact, among his conferences that I heard on the radio was one where he came close to actually accusing the bishops of silencing good priests on the slightest of suspicion.

[Jvette]

Thank you for posting your perspective.

You are the first I have seen who has mentioned Fr. Corapi’s recent health issues. That whole situation was never fully disclosed either.

I do know that when one is a light to the world, the lord of the dark will do anything and everything to extinguish that light.

Father says he is not extinguished. Just as when this story first broke, I am taking a wait and see stance and praying for him.

[Salvation]

 

Jesus. High Priest

 

We thank you, God our Father, for those who have responded to your call to priestly ministry.

Accept this prayer we offer on their behalf: Fill your priests with the sure knowledge of your love.

Open their hearts to the power and consolation of the Holy Spirit.

Lead them to new depths of union with your Son.

Increase in them profound faith in the Sacraments they celebrate as they nourish, strengthen and heal us.

Lord Jesus Christ, grant that these, your priests, may inspire us to strive for holiness by the power of their example, as men of prayer who ponder your word and follow your will.

O Mary, Mother of Christ and our mother, guard with your maternal care these chosen ones, so dear to the Heart of your Son.

Intercede for our priests, that offering the Sacrifice of your Son, they may be conformed more each day to the image of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Saint John Vianney, universal patron of priests, pray for us and our priests

This icon shows Jesus Christ, our eternal high priest.

The gold pelican over His heart represents self-sacrifice.

The border contains an altar and grapevines, representing the Mass, and icons of Melchizedek and St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney.

Melchizedek: king of righteousness (left icon) was priest and king of Jerusalem.  He blessed Abraham and has been considered an ideal priest-king.

St. Jean-Baptiste Vianney is the patron saint of parish priests.

[Salvation]

I agree with you that something is very wrong here......very fishy and stinky.

[Salvation]

**This will not change unless laypeople start to step up and challenge the bishops to find an appropriate balance between justice for those who are genuinely victims of priestly misconduct, and justice for the accused priests (particularly if they are innocent). The priests can't do it, it needs to be the laypeople to respectfully step up and speak out.**

Diocese of Corpus Christi

[trisham]

You are the first I have seen who has mentioned Fr. Corapi’s recent health issues. That whole situation was never fully disclosed either.

**************************

Yes, and imho, an important consideration.

[Jvette]

Yes, for in my view, that was the start of his withdrawal.

We never saw much of him after that, when we did he looked terrible.

Whatever happens now or has happened in the recent past, the Holy Spirit used him to ignite a fire in the hearts of many lukewarm Catholics and I am grateful to have been one of them.

Our mother, Mary tells us always, pray, pray, pray.

[GonzoII]

"As a layman he gains the ability to speak out against the system."

He's done that before. The sad fact is that he will no longer celebrate Mass as I see it...

[trisham]

Yes. Prayer may heal us all.

[annalex]

He has, but also every time one could sense that he had much more to say but bridled himself.

[bboop]

I thot Jimmy Akin’s column was really uncharitable. So much is based on his assumptions based on things he knows so little about, from out here.

Where’s the ‘innocent until proven guilty’? Where are all the facts? So much is missing, and to fill all the blanks in with his own suppositions and innuendos — there is none of the magnanimity Christ calls us to.

Very unChristian, I found it.

[Desdemona]

among his conferences that I heard on the radio was one where he came close to actually accusing the bishops of silencing good priests on the slightest of suspicion.

I have a feeling it's a select group of bishops that are the worst offenders. Behind the scenes, they do have their own little cliques. The other thing to remember, is that at ordination, each new priest pledges fealty to the bishop and his successors. Corapi is an order priest. This was the only way they could shut him up -appeal to the order.

It's all very disturbing, but given some of the truly human issues involved (not the least of which is a certain amount of immaturity among some members of the clergy), not at all unexpected. We the laity are going to have to demand answers, I guess. And request that the clergy kindly grow up like those of us in the "real" world have had to.

[Salvation]

Are we overlooking a very bold fact here?

 

The Seal of Confession?