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.”

[lastchance]

I totally agree.

[AnneM62]

I think it’s shameful that the Register even allowed it to be printed.

I agree!

[Hot Tabasco]

Sad to admit it, Jimmy, but you got it right. He has gone off the deep end.

Undisclosed accusations, unknown accuser, who can win in a kangaroo court such as that?

Prayers for him indeed but he has not gone off the deep end...

[AliVeritas]

Jimmy, of all people shouldn’t judge; he’s been on the other side and knows it’s no picnic. The black sheep title could easily be his past.

Obviously, he hasn’t spoken to others in Santa Cruz who witnessed the threats from her way back.

I would have more respect if he asked him in person and didn’t speculate. Has he read the book? Does he know exactly what happened?

We don’t need Satan, those ‘closest’ to you twist the knife expertly.

[AliVeritas]

That’s a lie; He did that right out the box. So did the other manager and a female who were in the office when she blew up. If this was about lack of obedience, I get it; If I’m accused i’d be pissed that no one saw the obvious and went PC. I would get outta Dodge if I hurt priests image. But again, that’s disobedient. He wrote on it mad, people got upset; I guess he wasn’t supposed to defend himself, just wait and see what the Lord had planned in his mercy... and pray to do God’s will, not his own.

[SumProVita]

“I’m not sure that he was very balanced.”

What makes you not sure about that?

[GCC Catholic]

The health issues aren't terribly recent - I remember Fr. Corapi mentioning them several years back when I listened to him on the radio.

But remember too that he spent part of his life as a drug addict - that certainly has left some amount of permanent damage to his body.

But the path he has chosen is one where he isn't just going to linger around and wait to die; he's moving on.

I think Salvation has a good point as well - if there is any component about this that involves the Seal of Confession, it may be completely impossible for Fr. Corapi to do anything on any time frame that would clear his good name.

[GCC Catholic]

The health issues aren't terribly recent - I remember Fr. Corapi mentioning them several years back when I listened to him on the radio.

But remember too that he spent part of his life as a drug addict - that certainly has left some amount of permanent damage to his body.

But the path he has chosen is one where he isn't just going to linger around and wait to die; he's moving on.

I think Salvation has a good point as well - if there is any component about this that involves the Seal of Confession, it may be completely impossible for Fr. Corapi to do anything on any time frame that would clear his good name.

[bronx2]

Although I do not know very much about this individual, when I read this story I had the same thoughts as you expressed about celebrity status. I have noticed that there are very few positions or situations which allow one to have this status of notoriety (Pope, Cardinal of Large Diocese, or learned theologian like Avery Dulles) Perhaps when one begins to get noticed the Church should caution them.

[Tax-chick]

There have been celebrity clergy before - St. John Vianney, for example, even before radio and tv - but I think modern technology has created additional dangers which are not adequately recognized.