By now most people have heard of Fr. John Corapi’s announcement that he is leaving the priesthood. His announcement came with a new blog The Blog SheepDog.
I never blogged on the original accusation and his suspension thinking it was best just something I would wait for an outcome on. While as far as I can tell the accusation was more than likely a false one, I know that even people I greatly admire and think much of can fall.
I also have much sympathy for people who have been falsely accused. I know in my own life that being thus accused when you are indeed innocent is much worse than being found out for something you did. There is a massive unfairness that results and proving you are innocent of a false charge is next to impossible to defend yourself of in most cases.
I have also been a critic of the Bishop’s Dallas Charter and had blogged against the zero tolerance policy since all zero tolerance policies result in mindless and often knee-jerk actions. Despite the credibility or circumstances of an accusation the movement is towards instant suspension not in the name of justice, but to appease those critical of the Church regarding the sexual abuse crisis. That a serious policy for investigating abuse and protecting people from actual abusers was seriously needed since many bishops failed in this; it does not mean you institute a policy that tramples over the rights of the accused and once a priest has been suspended his reputation is gone. There is the recent sad story of one such innocent priest accused who committed suicide as a result.
On the other hand what Fr. John Corapi has done in response is unacceptable.
We all have an example of somebody who was innocent and unfairly treated. Who could be more innocent than Our Savior Jesus Christ who was unjustly accused, scourged, and then executed on the Cross? His answer to this was “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” He has given us an example to live by and warned us that we would be treated like him and even falsely accused like he was.
Fr. Corapi says he was thrown out like the morning garbage. St. John of the Cross was also horribly treated by his order. During the reform of the Carmelites and the establishment of the Discalced Carmelites his order took him and locked him up in a room that was more of a closet than a living space. He was locked up in this room for almost a year before he escaped. Yet during this time of imprisonment did he write critiques of the unfair process that occurred – no instead he wrote one of the greatest books on the spiritual life, The Dark Night of the Soul.
St. Padre Pio was also ill treated by his order. He was falsely accused of multiple things and basically was suspended as a priest. He was not allowed to say Mass in public, hear confessions, etc. This unjust period of his life was not just 3 months or a year, but around a decade. Yet St. Padre Pio did not lash out against his treatment, but instead grew in holiness.
I give Fr. John Corapi credit where credit is due. His forgiveness of his accuser and warning people not to write the bishops about his circumstance. Though there is a mixed message in his announcement with his complaints against the bishops and his telling people not to bother the bishops about this. It also seems he is leaving his religious order without permission from the order and a formal process of laicization. If so this is a very serious lapse and total disobedience.
He will continuing his outreach via http://www.theblacksheepdog.us/ and the various social networks in combination with Santa Cruz Media. There is a crassness with his blog post announcement and his “Ordination Anniversary Sale” of some of his talks. Does he have one on obedience? Even odder his new website was registered by godaddy.com. Some people might not know of their commercials but the main page of their site specialize in the objectification of women.
Sadly this is also a result of the phenomenon of the “celebrity priest” and a situation that can feed the ego of some priests. We’ve had the examples of EWTN priests, Fr. Cutie, etc who became celebrity priests and subsequently left the priesthood. A reminder for all of us to hold our priests up in prayer, but very public priests need even more prayer due to temptation. St. Padre Pio was certainly a celebrity priest and was attacked by the devil, but he also had great humility.
I have no respect for what Fr. John Corapi has done. He could have born this gracefully with the help from Our Lord and provided an example to us all. If his suspension was lifted it might have helped the bishops to seek changes to the Dallas Charter to more fully consider the rights of priests accused. Instead we have just another case of disobedience and somebody setting up on their own. His announcement also seemed to me to be tinged a bit with paranoia of some bishops being out to get him and that this was kind of a result of such an conspiracy. No doubt some bishops did not like his teaching style which previously taught the truths of the faith, but his suspension was no doubt based more on worries about public reaction than an attempt to derail his ministry. His new persona of The Black Sheep Dog is rather strange with the motto “Truth, Hope, Unleashed.” I am thankful his bitterness is not causing him to leave the Church which he apparently still loves, but he has veered off the narrow road and laid aside the cross for his own way.
Another point I am addressing is that I have seen many people refer to him as simply John Corapi. This is understandable, but a priest is a priest forever. It makes sense to drop the Fr. honorific from his name if he was laicized, but he has not been or as far as I can tell had that process started.
39 comments
great analogy. You are the first blogger whom I can agree with on your comments, Jeff. All I can analyze here is that we knoe very well that Corapi’s past is very dark, and we know also that he was a powerful apologist for Holy Church. I continue to pray for him, for the forgiveness of his sins, and for his future. This man was a great priest, and perhaps one of the things we ought recognize as the “spectators” of this whole situation, is that we live in very crazy times of public arenas. Everyone is somehow a celebrity of some sort because of our modern technologies. So a person with a dark past, can easily be haunted, brought town, torn apart…and once again, be tested in a most difficult way of how to handle the situation as follower of Christ. Corapi needs prayers, and the Church needs greater prayers. Having him stream his new blog from that sketchy website is a huge detail you point out that stands out as well.
Jeff
If you look at the Black Sheep website he refers to himself as “John.”
Oh and he also mentions his “fans”
So there’s that.
We definitely need to pray for priests who are in the spotlight. How easy it is for them to go off the rails.
Curt Jester, i think we ought to be a little patient with Fr Corapi. He is going through a tough time. He needs friends. Lets’ keep praying for him, and let him know that we are praying for him
Nicely written Jeff. I am a bit confused by the dropping of Fr. before his name. It isn’t just others that are doing it. Fr. Corapi does it himself at the end of his message: “John Corapi (once called “father,” now “The Black Sheep Dog”)”.
Time will tell and emotions are running high. Fr. Corapi’s teachings have certainly led many people to Christ and His Church. It will be interesting to see if his new ministry will be as focused on this mission as it was in the past, or if sadly, it will veer off to someplace else.
What Elijah did was unacceptable, running into the hills in doubt and fear. What Abraham did was unacceptable, lying about his wife to the Pharaoh. What Peter did that night three times, that was unacceptable. These are all great heroes of the faith.
That you can find examples of epic character in the life of Christ and those of the saints doesn’t mean that we should have the slightest expectation that everyone will ever live to those standards.
It feels uncharitable to compare a man in extreme distress under false accusation to a petulant child. Can you point him to a better example? Let’s presume that you can. Does that mean you can expect it of him?
I would have expected more. Very disappointed, but I think we cannot let down our guard or let up on the prayers. O Holy Spirit, sanctify our priests and bishops.
Does that mean you can expect it of him?
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)
So… Jesus lied?
Cardinal Bernadin was another example of someone who bore false accusations with grace. He was an example to the death with dignity crowd as well. He may have had his flaws, but I personally learned a great deal from how he handled the adversity in his life.
So…w hat is (Fr.) John Coropi’s relationship to his community, SOLT? He never mentions it. His vows stand, outside of ordination. He should, technically, be BROTHER John… why is he not discussing that?
BenK – I like your examples of folks from the Scriptures who failed in similar ways, but whom we still remember as great saints, but I draw a different conclusion than you do. These individuals were certainly (one way or another) confronted bluntly with their error and, in due course, corrected their path. They remind us that Fr. Corapi’s journey in the Catholic Church towards holiness is far from over. He has much left to do, and this error can certainly be amended with humility and discernment.
The “black” in Black Sheep Dog bothers me. I read somewhere that Corapi felt often like a black sheep in his life, but I don’t think black sheep shifts well to black sheep dog.
What is the adjective “black” describing? Is he protecting black sheep? Or is he a black dog? Symbolism is important.
You make a number of assumptions which is never a good thing in a case like that. All he says is that he will not engage in public ministry as a priest anymore. He was already in that position since he is suspended. I don’t know the specifics, but neither does anyone else really. Most of what I have read about what Fr. Corapi is doing is speculation.
Good catch on St.Jon and St Pio, but I couldn’t help but think of St Gerard Majella in this situation. Yes he is the saint of pregnant moms, but he is also the patron of those falsely accused.
I too thought of St John of the Cross and all that he endured, and how his suffering and pain brought him closer to God. Fr Corapi clearly needs a lot of prayer and I hope he can (with the aid of the Holy Spirit) be an obedient, humble priest of the Church.
I think the Bishops need to discourage celebrity priests and religious as much as practicable. Celebrity seems to offer a host of temptations and pitfalls.
From Fr Longenecker about priests from Philadelphia who say they were put on administrative leave because of what they claim are false allegations:
“The stories are circulating: one priest who claims he is completely innocent and that the allegations against him are from a very troubled kid he tried to help years ago who was simply a bad one, and who is sniffing a payout. Another story from Philadelphia is of a priest who is accused by a mother of a teenaged girl because the mother found the priest’s cell phone number on her daughter’s phone. It was there because he asked all the kids to put his number in their phones when they were out on a parish outing to a theme park in case they got lost. A third story is about a mother who reported that the priest embraced her son in an erotic way. But it was outside church after Mass in full view of everyone and the boy ran up to give Father a hug.”
We have to remember that neither Padre Pio, St John of the Cross, St Gerard Majella etc were priests/lay brothers in the era of mass communication or billion dollar Church payouts for, at times, little to no evidence. Accusations against well known priests can circle the globe in a matter of minutes and as well as considering the reputation of the person accused the scandal caused to the Faithful who admire these people could shake their Faith if the matter is not quickly resolved one way or the other. Fr Corapi’s family must have been going through hell these last few months as must the families of all priests placed on administrative leave.
Well said. A very sad situation. Good can come of it though. Having been through Dale Fushek, and then later seeing the pain of my Regnum Christi friends, I have learned not to give into the temptation of adjulation of those still in the Church Militant. Until someone is safely Cannonized, I don’t get emotionally invested in them in that way. A lot of folks are going to learn that lesson with Corapi, and it is painful. But it is a lesson worth learning. God’s grace is sufficient for us. We don’t need celebrities.
This is one of the better analyses I have read thus far. However, I just wonder what would people have had him do exactly? He hints at it in the video and I am not going to pile on as the man is understandably under enormous stress. Who abandons ministry lightly?
Do we think he ought to have admitted charges which are false? Or do we think that he should have a big showdown with a Bishop whom as a priest of the Church he of course wants people to not hate or doubt but to trust. And to not be prevented from trusting because of a trial against one man.
And then if canon lawyers are saying that if he was exonerated it would be by accident, not as a result of cooperating in the process, what does that say?
I am not happy with this turn of events. But I am not sure that we should condemn him and move on without recognizing that all priests are going to be subject to this sort of thing, and we don’t have enough priests at this time in history, as it is. If an innocent person can’t proceed then the secularist anti-Catholics who throw the inquisition in our faces left and right may have a point. Surely if laity may advocate for any number of things as people seem to feel free and comfortable about it, even things not based in the deposit of faith maybe the laity should advocate for a better process.
That is indeed funny. I too looked at the example of the Carmelite saints and came up with the opposite conclusion.
I agree with Baron Korf. I’d add that we have almost no investigative reporting in the Catholic press that investigates cases like this as to questioning either Corapi or the Bishop or the canonical lawyers for clarifications of what is meant by various comments. The result of that lack of a real press is speculation and gossip at times on slight grounds….eg…the go daddy innuendo. Not good…the devil loves this mess. Read Fr. Z from June 18.
It seems quite simply that the way the system is set up is to embrace an instance where a Bishop takes on the weight of a false accusation in a draconian manner as an adversary against his brother priest.
I don’t like it and maybe, maybe not, I would do something different, but here is what this looks like. A consecrated person who has no ability in the procedure to “prove” innocence has accepted the full weight of the accusation as it is being leveled by his rightful authority without which he has no practical effectiveness (though admittedly power). He states that he has done things in his lifetime that could have barred him from the position, to begin with. He is not saying he is special or better or holier. There is much in the Christian path to support what he is doing though it will never be publicized and perhaps people are being prudent not to. Are we to just cast him off after what he has done, his service, to the Church? He is a brother in Christ and he has served to the best of his ability. Whether we believe he is guilty, or innocent, regardless of what we think of what he seems to be doing now, can’t we show some mercy? Do we only think he was as good as what he had to say, the positions he took, and nothing else? If so we are the same as the dissenters who believe that the priest is only a political figurehead with worldly trappings of power. We are bound to this man in a supernatural sense, and if we have found a kernel of truth in what he has proclaimed, all the more so. Charity is not just about speaking or our opinions. We may really and truly exercise it.
Do I find him totally repulsive? Are we not ourselves totally repulsive as well, on any particular day and with the right ammo? We are entering Ordinary Time but in trying to comprehend all of this I will be meditating on the Stations of the Cross. Upon the One, the only one who is Holy and Sinless who nonetheless accepted the accusations as leveled and permitted the ultimate failure to play out as willed by God. Men are fragile and failing but He will never leave us.
I wonder. Exactly how long would St. John of the Cross have to endure unjust incarceration by his order before it would be proper for him to escape in direct defiance of his order?
Others should feel free to chime in and correct me also on this but I have an additional worry and I am curious what others make of it. Maybe I am way off base I am not sure.
When it comes to the Dallas Charter, the scenario seems to be playing out like this. A group of prelates vote overwhelmingly for a mechanism for accusing priests which is draconian. Whereby an accusation can level. Knowing they will score points as a matter of public relations during a time of challenged credibility, the system is approved. Also knowing that for a great number of prelates, they will be moving on by the time this becomes a dark reality. Knowing that the ones who will struggle and suffer under the weight of false accusations will be, the JPII generation of priests, not their friends and peers. Perhaps for some, their enemies since they thought that by this time the priesthood would have died out and the Church run by lay people, especially with teaching the Eucharist as a symbol and the obliteration of Eucharistic Adoration, devotions and other powerful means for prayer. If this concern is needless then I would very much like to hear what better heads make of that. Especially in these times.
Dont think it’s fair to require the Corapi formerly referred to as Father to co-operate with what he considers a travesty of justice (one which lacks a presumption of innocence) simply because Our Lord was silent before his accusers. His silence in the face of injustice has always been presented as a completely voluntary act.
I’ve yet to see any kind of ad-hoc judicial body handle cases of alleged sexual misconduct with greater competence than our judicial system. Let’s not confuse the extra mile that the Saints walked with the minimum required of the faithful on pain of sin.
I have to agree with this blogger, and I appreciate the intelligence and wholistic understanding of the crucial issues. I am disturbed by the dark imagery and name that Fr. Corapi has adopted. Instead of walking away and setting up shop elsewhere like some renegade Catholic guru, I hope he comes to his senses, bows his head, apologizes for his lack of humility, and then does whatever Mother Church asks of him. If he does that, he can become a saint. I posted similar comments to his new and old webpages. I hope others will do likewise.
To all those who are so deeply troubled by “fan/fan base”.
Please remember, Canon Law, which is the basis for Western law, is specific in word. It uses terms like “priest”, “public” and “the faithful” {in the 1917 Canon, “flock” was sometimes used}.
However, never used are the words “fan/fan base”.
So by directing The Black Sheep Dog web site to “his” fan/fan base two advantages are gained
1. Fr. Corapi can not be charged under Canon Law for disobedience from public ministry as a priest. He is not holding himself out as a priest, hence the dropping of “Father”, and he is not directing his thoughts to “the faithful”.
2. Fr. Corapi can now speak more freely regarding social issues, politics, and the law because: a) he is no longer a part of an organization that, under secular law, is defined as a non-profit {i.e. the Catholic Church} and b) he is no longer bound by Canon Law regarding the same.
In short, he is playing the game the USCCB, in their cuteness, created. If you think my characterization of the USCCB is unkind or not true, consider their statements regarding politicians and the murder of abortion….
It is not by mistake the following occurred around the same time, Vatican II….
– the priest turned their backs on Our Lord’s Altar
– the priest cast their eyes to the flock and focused his concerns on the emotional concerns, complaints and character of the flock
– the seeds of the sexual abuses that came to light in the past decade were planted through the selection and formation of priests who were less concerned with the Sacraments and more with the emotional, know by the popular secular term “spiritual. {read Goodbye Good Men}
More could be said, however, the point being made is this. By his actions, …
Fr. Corapi is still a priest in good standing and can now speak freely and still remain a priest in good standing.
Of course, for many reasons we must pray for Fr. Corapi.
But we must also pray deeply for priests who love the Sacraments more than listening to their Homilies or the adulation of the sycophants in the pews.
Vatican II that made clear the teachings prior to Vatican II were not made invalid by Vatican II. The smoke of Satan entered the Sanctuary through the abuses of Vatican II by those who disregarded Vatican II’s obedience to the Magesterial teachings that came before.
AMDG
Your blog is the absolute best I have read on the subject I concur 100%
I think that there are certainly more saintly responses to correction and suspension by the Bishop than walking away, but there may be a lot behind the scenes we don’t know– it could be that this path is not the total rebellion we see; it could be he did discuss with his superiors and chose to keep them out of it; it could be that his asking people to stop calling him Fr. is out of respect for the suspension and the authority of the Bishop.
Until we see where this goes, we should reserve judgement. He may be in rebellion, or he may be making choices based on information we lack. Time will show the fruit of this.
There certainly is a need for some powerful LAY leadership, and it could be he will be of greater use to God outside the priesthood– again, we cannot know.
Some who served God well appeared to rebel, others went meekly into their dark nights– there is no way in this place and time for us to know.
I for one am reserving judgement, waiting as it were to see down the road what fruits this tree produces.
I have a couple of web sites hosted by GoDaddy.com myself. I have considered moving them to another hosting company, but haven’t had time to do much research. Is there one you can recommend? Preferably one that isn’t morally questionable, but that is still very cheap?
I haven’t followed this too closely, but it would appear that the celebrity of it all wins the day. He chooses the “world” over his priesthood. Sad. Leaving the priesthood makes him no different than those who abandoned Jesus. Without the title of “Father”, he loses all authority and credibility.
It’s too bad, because I enjoyed listening to him on EWTN. I even mentioned to my sons that he was one of the “good guys”. Guess I have to take that back.
I’m sure if he would just promise to hold a GAY PRIDE mass once a month he would be welcomed back with open arms.
Thank you Mr. Miller. You were very charitable in your analysis and not too emotional like other blogs. Couldn’t agree more. (I really appreciate that!) Fr. Corapi touched a lot of people and they are hurting. It makes sense to be more careful with how we phrase our comments because it will only create more division in the church. That’s the last thing we need! Prayers are really what all people need right now. God bless you.
Just because his response falls short of what the Saints did in what we believe to be similar situations does not make his actions reprehensible. There’s a wide gulf between morally unjustifiable actions and the generosity of the saints. Most of our actions fall in this in between region.
So it’s OK to say conservative things but once it translates from words to deeds, once it involves pushing back against injustice in the Church on a practical level, all of the sudden that’s unacceptable behavior? That’s the attitude that has allowed our beautiful Church to be turned into a smouldering ruin, if you haven’t noticed. “Hey, Liberals are holding smashing the high altar and throwing icons in the trash? I’ll just be over here tugging my forelock….”
Sorry… I know it goes against the prevailing mild-mannered milieu but sometimes you’ve got to stand on your rights.
For the record, Fr. Corapi never said that he had left the priesthood – in fact just the opposite. When he was placed on administrative leave, one of the requirements was that he not refer to himself as a priest. He is, in fact, being obedient. See abyssum.wordpress.com for his latest statement and some excellent, and informed, analysis.
He that is without sin among you let him cast the first stone!!!
I am disgusted with the “reporting” and opinions of these lay Catholic ministries. I cried when I saw the email advertisement I was sent by one of them, selling cds on the priesthood by using this ugly situation of Fr. Corapi. I am so turned off by these “ministries”, that I will not support them and this make me very sad to feel this way.
I am going to give Fr. Corapi the benifit of the doubt, because he always spoke the Truth of the Catholic Faith and he has the support of a solid Catholic Bishop Rene Gracida and the founder of the SOLT. We need to praying for Fr. Corapi and all who are involved.
Fr Corapi was and continues to be one of the holiest priests I have ever known.
He is largely responsible for my wifes and my reconversion to the Church.
God bless Fr Corapi.
He is a great priest!
Forever!
According to the writing, Adam and Eve were the first humans created by God, who lived approximately 6,000 years ago. According to the science, humans existed a long time before. The two lines of thought can be easily united, thanks to the omnipotence of God, who in the beginning created humans in a reality where there was no concept of “evil”. Metaphorically speaking, Adam and Eve were expelled from this heavenly reality, find himself in another reality, namely in today’s reality that we all know, where there is the concept of evil, as well as that of the well; not necessarily a reality where they were the first humans, but the first who experienced firsthand the life God had reserved for them (so they were the first humans in the “perfect” reality). From here it is clear that the story of Adam and Eve does not upset in the least bit the evolutionary linearity. In practice, they were the first men of God; whereas prehistoric man lived before Adam and Eve was a man, but it could be considered as an animal evolved from apes or created by something else, which had two arms and two legs, and that may have hybridated with the descendants of Adam And Eve after they were “moved away” from the “perfect reality”. God has endowed man about the concept of “infinity” and “eternity”, as well as other questions can not be explained through the use of the scientific method, thus making humans free to believe in God or not, in a reality for us tricky and necessary for the construction and continuation of his project.