It is a huge distraction.You're right, Mrs. Frogjerk; it is a HUGE distraction. And in some respects, it would be good if folks could just walk away and pray, but it's like a bad accident; you keep looking back to see if you shouldn't fight the flames to try to save the victims, even if you get burned yourself.
It's just like I said, it is really turning into a big mess and it just isn't getting any better either. I don't think that Father Corapi is thinking rationally and clearly at this point. I don't think that he understands that he could be potentially harming people by reacting the way he is.
When I think back about this whole ordeal, I think it started to unravel for him(I could be wrong just my opinion)when he got that big pay out from that Heart Dr. lawsuit some years ago. And I think that his Corporation and his personal wealth got to be too much of a distraction for him and it led him right down the path to destruction as it had before. In other words, I think that him being wealthy again and immersing himself in the world and it's materialistic values just basically did him in. I really feel like he was seduced by it all.
I don't know, these are the things that I think could possibly be what is really going on.
1. He was in it for the money from the beginning. I doubt this scenario because I have listened to him for years and he was very sincere when it came to his preaching.
2. He became too wealthy and allowed it to distract him from the true goal of his ministry. He got sucked back into the same kind of destructive lifestyle that practically killed him many years before.
3. He has become so filled with pride that he cannot admit to #2. And God help him really if that is the case.
4. He is being falsely accused and because of his stubbornness in regards to the lawsuits that he has filed, he can't really defend himself without messing that up.
5. S.O.L.T. is out to get him and proved that by releasing their most recent statement. (doubt this)
A few things bother me about the S.O.L.T. statement however. I don't like that Father Sheenan released it and than could not be reached for almost a month after releasing it. I can compare it to throwing a grenade and taking off running. And I agree with them that he has acquired too much wealth for his own good, however, their vow of poverty doesn't necessarily relate to him as that was adopted 2 years after he joined the order therefore making him exempt.
The other thing that bothers me is that (God help his soul) they are most likely telling the truth. I wouldn't think that they would lie and possibly set themselves up for future litigation. And if what they are saying is true, than the man really needs help.
I think we all need to pray on it either way!