There is no real comparison between Padre Pio and John Corapi, but many contrasts

Pope John Paul II conferred Holy Orders on John Corapi in June 1991. Formerly known as ‘Fr Corapi’, he is now simply ‘John Corapi’, because in his own words, ‘I have resigned from public ministry.’ Yet he is nonetheless adamant that he will be a priest ‘for all eternity’. And here we come to the most immediate contrast – Padre Pio was canonised in 2002  – but is still known as Padre (Fr) Pio.  From St Pio’s ordination on August 10th, 1910, never was the ‘Fr’ dropped. Padre Pio was suspended from June 11, 1931, to July 16, 1933. The reasons for Padre Pio’s suspension are entirely different to those of ordained-priest-but-no-longer-called-‘Fr’ John Corapi. Padre Pio was not accused of sexual impropriety or drug addiction. Padre Pio’s two year suspension was basically because he was wrongly considered a false mystic who inspired fanaticism in his followers (as anyone who reads this blog knows, I’m very devoted to Padre Pio).

On Ash Wednesday, 2011, a woman known to John Corapi, sent a letter to several bishops accusing Corapi of drug dependency, sexual exploits with her and other women. Corapi was placed on ‘administrative leave’ following this. John Corapi’s high profile case comes now when many accused priests are on administrative leave – and are aggravated, even depressed that they are in ‘limbo’, waiting for their case to be heard and for the possibility that their name will be cleared. Fr Corapi has implicated the woman accusing him (‘the bishop’s star witness against me’) as not being ‘sober’ or ‘sane’. John Corapi repeatedly refers to his accuser’s ‘acute alcoholism’.  Fr Corapi has resigned from public ministry because he says, ‘I have no choice… No reasonable chance of being reinstated..’ and that he ‘can’t expect a fair outcome’. John Corapi has gone on to say that ‘90%’ of his priestly ministry had always been preaching. And that he will continue to preach, but will not say Mass or hear Confessions. John Corapi is an undoubtedly gifted speaker. Padre Pio rarely preached a sermon at Mass; he had been advised from a young age that his health was not robust enough to withstand the pressures of preaching. But Padre Pio’s Mass was itself the sermon.

Padre Pio’s suspension or ‘imprisonment’ began in June 11th 1931. A directive had come from the Vatican that he was forbidden from saying Mass in public and from hearing confessions. When the news was given to St Pio, he covered his eyes with his blood-stained, stigmatised hands and said, “may the will of God be done.” Then Padre Pio immediately went to pray before a crucifix. Padre Pio never made protests judgments about the sanity of his accusers. For the two years that followed Padre Pio said a three-hour Mass in the private chapel of the Friary and the chapel door was closed. No member of the public was allowed to be present. During these lonely two years, it was widely believed that Padre Pio’s suspension would be permanent, and that St Pio would never again be a priest in the main Church.

Later it was proved that Padre Pio was innocent of all charges – a historical fact.

We do not know that John Corapi is completely blameless, we do not even know if he is partially at fault. John Corapi has said "all of the allegations in the complaint are false”. Yet, in his You-Tube broadcasts, John Corapi tells us that ‘we’ do not know all the facts and all the details. OK. Got that. But by the same token, if we do not know ‘all’ the particulars – may we fully trust John Corapi’s protestations of innocence? May Corapi expect us this of us? He has to allow for the fact that if he can’t (and yes, he can’t) disclose full details of the case, then he asks us to rely on his word, and his good will.

This is not an attempt to blame Corapi. It is an effort to separate him from closely associated with beloved Padre Pio. The biggest, and most hazardous difficulty in categorising Fr Corapi and St Pio together – is that we know now that Padre Pio was completely innocent and untarnished. Fr Corapi may profess his innocence – but who can say that they know beyond all doubt that this is entirely true? The comparison with Padre Pio is based on the assumption that John Corapi is guiltless.

In his You-Tube broadcasts John Corapi is reiterating that he can’t stay in the priesthood and ‘die’. But every ordained priest is in alter Christus – and like Jesus Christ who gave Himself for our sins – a priest may be required to suffer and die. There’s endless chatter about bishops who are ‘out to get Fr Corapi’ because Fr Corapi in a voice like a marching drum, has told ‘the truth’ and has purportedly earned the wrath of the bishops. With his self-styled role of outsider/outcast, or ‘Black Sheepdog’, John Corapi is presenting himself as a causality of the Catholic Church. This seems quite the inverse of the vocation of the priest, who may, like Jesus Christ, be called on to die for Mother Church.
John Corapi is not literally being led to a gory slaughter. But with the portentous posts on his blog, which are causing dire rumours (yes, they are rumours because ‘we’ do not know enough details to make a conclusive case) it’s made to sound as though he has to escape a terrible fate – by leaving the priesthood and giving up his habit. And this collects a lot of sympathy. That apocalyptic image of him as a fearsome hound with innocent sheep reflected in one eye, and bloodthirsty wolves in the other, conveys a not-so-subtle message that some prowl around him, preying on him.
John Corapi is however gathering grass-root support from a global garden of Catholics. Yet, is it uncharitable to ask; if Fr Corapi’s many supporters later find out that he is in fact guilty, will their faith wither away? If their faith in built on Fr Corapi, who’s foundation may be built on sand, will their faith crumble with his reputation?

PS – Supporters of John Corapi who read this blog, and may want to ‘unfriend’ me on Facebook or unfollow this blog. But I'm not against John Corapi. This post is not casting blame or aspersions on Corapi, it merely argues that the comparison with Padre Pio is hasty, and will remain unfounded until Corapi’s blamelessness is fully established.

Comments

  1. People made the comparison to demonstrate the virtue of "Obedience", however, you have in your own way judged Fr. Corapi in this article by giving your personal opinions. Probably the reason the comparisons were made in the first place is because both priests touched the souls and brought many conversions through their ministry. Both priests were attacked greatly by the evil one and lets face it, today satan is trying harder than ever to take down the priesthood. Many priests today are wrongfully accused because of the sins of some. This was not as prevalent in Padre Pio's time. Being a priest today is more difficult because they are up against a culture where good will seem bad and bad will seem good. Encourage prayers for our priests. Offer Holy Communion for the priesthood and say the daily rosary but while defending one do not indirectly take down another!

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  2. Anyone who thinks these two men are alike should read more about Padre Pio. He was a perfect example of humble obedience to the Church.

    Rob

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  3. Hi Anonymous,
    Yes, I agree that both priests brought many conversions. But the fact is - some are turning against the Church because they want to 'join' Fr Corapi and be defiant.
    No, I have not 'judged' John Corapi (you refer to him as 'Fr' Corapi, but he does not call himself 'Fr' anymore, but 'John Corapi'). The facts are not under my control, and they speak louder than mere opinion. Fact: Fr Corapi is asking us to believe in his innoncence wholly on the basis of his protests of innoncence, not on facts because they are not disclosed.

    How do you know that I don't offer Holy Communion and say Rosaries for the priesthood?

    Please, if you stand so firmly by your convictions, please avoid posting under 'anonymous'. For one thing, it makes it harder to engage in a credible debate with a nameless individual and to take them entirely seriously.

    With best regards,

    Mary O'Regan

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  4. Dear Rob, I couldn't agree more with your succinct response; that Padre Pio was 'a perfect example of humble obedience'.
    With best regards,
    Mary

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  5. Many folks have a flawed theology that ignoring, and thus letting a person sick with an addiction, such as alcohol, with its blame shifting, hurtful behavior to others, as well as themselves, is humble and loving. There is anouther word- ENABLING. These critics of Corapi need to get to an open AA meeting and get educated about the cunning, baffling, and powerful of alcohol. I consider Fr. Corapi very enlightened on this. He is not only my brother in Christ, but an AA brother.
    In this culture of coddling, and/or denial I believe Fr. Corapi's stand for accountability is heroic. He should not be critized. He should be canonized for his brave stand for the right way to handle a still sufffering alcoholic!

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  6. I feek strongly about this, However Out of concern for my family and them ling is this society that is woefull, and sometime willfully ignorant of the disease of Alcoholism, I chose to stay anonomous. I wrote earlier as a sister alcoholic and I DO believe Fr. Corapi has it right. Loving humility is NOT letting an active alcoholic be a loose canon without accountablity! :)

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  7. You bring up a very valid point about John Corapi. Instead of being willing to lay down his life for Mother Church, he is turning against her.

    I always liked Father Corapi tremendously and purchased CD's of his talks. I believe that he is being attacked by Satan. I don't believe that John Corapi is handling this well at all and is in serious need of our prayers. John Corapi is not doing well at all.

    I will not leave Mother Church to follow him but I will pray for him because there is a man who desperately needs it. And I mean that with all charity.

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  8. Father Corrapi, with all my respect, is going to be a priest till the day he dies, that is how it is, personally I thank him for his talks, He cleared many questions I had and show me the way to Jesus, many times I was confused ; Satan is loose in this world and his minions, we are living in the last times, and is triying to take with him all the souls he can get, but our duty is to pray, pray, pray, for him, for the bishop and for that lady that wrote the leters, and defend our Church of everything, We also are going to pay our resspects to the Father, in our own time, always remember, The Father, is management, and we are on sales, Thank You.

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  9. Father Corapi is not asking any of us to leave the Church. Actually, he says quite the contrary. It's funny how blogs like this and many posts all over the internet talk about how we should not judge until all the facts are out, when that is exactly what this blog and all the others are doing! It seems we are allowed to judge Father Corapi negatively, but not give him the benefit of the doubt? Who are we to judge and say his heart is not humble? Many may look humble when in fact they are the opposite. Many may seem charitable, when in fact they are out for themselves. You cannot judge a book by it's cover.

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  10. I don't feel we should judge our Priests in anyway. All I can say is that Fr. Corapi has helped so many people and touched so many lives in his Priestly ministry and should be greatly commended for that. He is a Priest and ALWAYS will be a Priest because of his ordination. He may not be allowed his faculties at this time, but his soul will forever have the mark of a Priest for all eternity and no Bishop can take that away from him. Once a Priest... always a Priest... But instead of commenting on whether he is guilty or not...we should pray for him and all Priests because the Priesthood is a very difficult way of life especially in today's world where many are so against the Church. So NEVER talk about a Priest whether he is right or wrong... that is God's job to judge... Just pray for him and quit the gossip and keep opinions to yourselves...

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  11. Hi Lisa, Thank you for your sincere comment, but this blog can't 'judge' Fr Corapi, because it's not a judge and jury nor a canonical court. I merely point to absolute contrasts between Padre Pio and famed preacher John Corapi, but state that the most sought after comparison - that both 'were' wrongly accused cannot be adumbrated and clarified until Corapi's guiltlessness is grounded in fact.

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  12. Forgive me if I misquote, but I believe Fr. Corapi said in one of his talks, "The Holy Spirit is only given to those who obey. The Holy Spirit is only given to--those--who--obey. Father likes to repeat his points. And obey is precisely what St. Padre Pio did. Dear St. Pio, pray for us all and may God have mercy on us!
    BTW my name is Jules. I'm from Austin, TX. In trying to post my comment, I must select a profile and I don't have a url, so I must select "anonymous".

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  13. Dear Jules, Thank you for your forthright comment. I join you in prayer to Dear St Pio. We are so blessed to have Padre Pio.

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  14. SIMPLY PRAY FOR JOHN CORAPI AND THE PERSON THAT HAS ACCUSED HIM OF THESE HATEFUL THINGS.

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    1. I do not believe in any of those hateful accusations that woman has accused Fr. John Corapi of. I pray that one day Fr. Corapi will be exonerated and proclaimed innocent of those false accusations whatever they are. Fr. Corapi has inspired and brought me back to the Catholic faith and closer to Jesus than I have ever been before. Those bishops have all been deceived by this evil woman who was clearly influenced by the devil, Satan, against a true Servant of God in the person of Father John Corapi.

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  15. http://thepathlesstaken7.blogspot.com/2011/07/fascinating-video-on-corapi-controversy.html

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  16. When we observe the current posture of Corapi, do we think of humility, obedience and sacrifice?

    Either way, that says it all.

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  17. It is not fair to compare for each person has a unique plan of life, nor to judge without full information.
    Perhaps though, it is time to look at how priests that are accused are treated. Cardinal Dulles disagreed with the Dallas Charter because of numerous civil rights violations (http://www.tonyercolano.com/June%202010_2_.pdf). I know of priests who were accused who had served for decades, put on leave, years later found they were not guilty, only to die soon afterwards probably from the stress (Cardinal Bernadin, Fr. Charles Murphey of Boston).

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  18. Blessed POPE John Paul II was shot in 1981 by an assassin a turkish man yet the Pope after shedding his blood close to near death showed an example to the world on how to Love your enemies and do good to them and forgave the man at his prison cell, he clearly demonstrated the teachings of Jesus himself love your neighbor:It is clear on what Jesus wants from us and that is the only way to Love is to deny yourself and be obediant for to become obediant is humility.Our Lord permits us to be accused ,persecuted ,ridiculed and suffer for the sake of souls to be saved and not fall into temtation to deny Jesus in the Holy Eucharist by giving up your priestly vocation for despite the Cross Jesus was obediant even unto death to complete his Fathers Will to suffer and die for the Love of us all Please Father Corapi Bring Jesus To Us at the Mass come back home......

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  19. People, we need to bear in mind that the church is filled with corrupt individuals who in it's history ranked as high as the pope himself! Certainly there are many bishops, cardinals and priests who have chosen wayward paths and have abandoned the truth and teachings of the church itself. Dr John Corapi is a refreshing advocate for the real truth which he has preached tirelessly for 20 years now. I listened to practically every talk he ever gave and my Catholic faith and knowledge has benefitted beyond any words!!! Stop judging!!! He is NOT perfect but neither were ANY of the saints on their way to sanctity!!!

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  20. Dear John, It's great that you have benefitted so much from his talks and videos. That's why I posted a condensed version of his conversion story; it's an amazing story of a modern prodigal son.

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  21. I see the word "disobedience" used liberally in this Blog. You need to ask yourself: "is it disobedient or worse yet a sin to quit public ministry, or was it merely a valid choice?". Yes, Padre Pio chose a different path. Yes the two are vastly different, and the word "contrast" is certainly more appropriate when comparing their choices. But the tenor of this blog is accusator. If Fr. Corapi chose a path that allows him to clear his name more expediciously than the church inquiry, is it wrong? Consider the great possibility that he chose this path prayerfully and wait to see the outcome before casting aspersions. I think we can all use this turn of events to practice our faith and build virtue. May God Bessie Fr. corapi and walk with him through his dark hours.

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  22. Fr John Copri slept with a gun ubder his pillow and used that gun when he WAS threated - He stated this himself - after hearing it I find it hard to believe that he was true to his Vocation - He liVED AND CONTINUES to live a life style that was contary to his Vows - He has commited the Cardinal sin of disobedience to his superiors - all this has been confirmed by his own voice and by his actions - You are either a true follower of the Jesus' Chruch or your not - I follow the Holy Roman Catholic Chruch not Blackdog

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  23. Yes you are judgeing this dear priest who may I remind you is still a priest you are a priest forever so instead of writing articles such as this why don't you pray for Fr. Corapi and the woman instead of giving your opinions and further seperating the flock from the church. Shame on everyone who claims to be christian to hurt anyone instead of staying silent and praying for them in charity and love. I am certainly seeing the true colors of "Good Catholics" come out you do realize you are doing the very same thing as what you say Fr.Corapi is doing to his accuser, pray about it and invoke th Holy Spirit and ask to guide you in truth.

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  24. The last thing this accusing woman needs is for Catholic Christian to say Fr corapi would be such a saint and holy if he let her blame shifting, alcoholic, and victim emntality, that is so much a part of this accuser's illness of Alcoholism just go. I am an AA member and I will use my first name, Kay, as I do in meetings of AA. Our AA brother, Fr. John is doing the right thing. The is following AA principles, that were formulated with the help of a priest, based on the Spiritual Excercises of St Ignatius. God will bless Fr. Corapi, for he has truely taken the right path to turely help his accuser. Kudos for Corapi!

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  25. Dear Mark,
    I actually haven't written anything about 'disobedience' and John Corapi. Commentators have discussed John Corapi and disobedience. I get your point that he has chosen a path that allows him to clear his name. There is the possibility (I'm not accusing him, only allowing for this reality) that he's guilty. Also, he does make a lot of criticisms of his accuser, which may be truthful, but sounds as though he doth protest too much.

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  26. At the end of your article you state “But I'm not against John Corapi. This post is not casting blame or aspersions on Corapi, it merely argues that the comparison with Padre Pio is hasty, and will remain unfounded until Corapi’s blamelessness is fully established.”

    I’m no “fan” of Ft Corapi, however, I find this statement conflicts with most of what you have written in this article. Is Fr. Corapi a “Fr Pio”? Of course not. But then again, who is? More importantly, the vast majority of Fr Corapi’s “fan’s “ agree with this. The assumption that Fr. Corapi is another Fr. Pio would be a problem if it were systemic. It is not…especially now.

    I visited your blog to try to get a better sense of your perspective. What I found were your several rants against Michael Voris and his critique of the Irish Catholic Church. This was surprising because the Voris information, while new to me, is very credible.

    Clearly, two things are true regarding the Fr. Corapi scandal: Someone is really sick and someone else has been victimized. Prayer is needed for both Fr Corapi and his accuser and that, in the end, God’s will is done.

    M.MacDonald
    USA

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  27. Mr. Corapi has not requested that people follow him and leave the church. According to him, he hasn't left the Church. A lot of people, in my opinion, are willing to leave the church (if that's what it takes) to follow him.

    Just my opinion based on a lot of comments I've seen on the internet. Could be wrong but I don't think so.

    Yes, Mr. Corapi has been disobedient to his superiors. They wanted him to continue the investigation through the church and he said no. Left the priesthood to say no.

    I'm sorry but unless things really really change, I don't ever expect to see him up for sainthood like some people have suggested.

    In my nothing opinion, he has not taken the right path. He is suing the woman. He has to leave the priesthood to do this because it halted the investigation.

    I am so disappointed in him but...(sigh)...I don't know 99% of the facts. Only what he has presented. And I'm not even guessing on whether he's guilty or not...just commenting on how he has handled this. Very very sad.

    Whether or not he clears his name will not make one bit of difference if he has demonstrated what he was willing to do to achieve his goal. The end does not justify the means and that's what makes this so tragic.

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  28. Wonderful post. Thank you for pointing out the difference between Fr. Corapi and St. Pio. The gulf is manifest.

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  29. Father Corapi, as well as Padre Pio are Anointed men of God. A priest forever. One cannot make a comparison in how they reacted to their "administrative leave". Padre Pio remained in his monastery...Fr Corapi actively preached around the world speaking out about errors in Church teachings...and the errors were/are there! Big time. Both these good priests brought millions back to God with their particular mission. By the fruits you will know them. I have lived long enough to recognize the "smoke of satan" in our Church that Pope Paul VI warned of. Father Corapi was and will continue to clean out that smoke. I pray he will continue to speak out. People want to here that...world wide!! Again, by the fruits you will know them.

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  30. Dear Ms. O'Regan,
    I just came across your blog. I want to congratulate you on a well reasoned post. The situation with Fr. Corapi (I know he said that he will now be just "John Corapi" but he can't laicize himself, so he is still "Fr.") has been causing a great deal of distress in my parish. As you pointed out, we do not know all the facts, so we really cannot make any judgement. One of the reasons we do not have all the facts is because of the non-disclosure clause that Fr. Corapi requires all his employees to sign, and which is the basis of his lawsuit against his accuser. That lawsuit was one of the things impeding the investigation by his religious community which could have cleared him.

    I have heard the comparison of Fr. Corapi's situation with what happened to St. Pio, but most of the time it has been a negative comparison. Why isn't Fr. Corapi suffering this suspension in humble and obedient silence, like St. Pio did his? Perhaps Fr. Corapi's community, SOLT, need to bear some of the responsibility for allowing Fr. Corapi to be so much of a "lone ranger" for most of his ministry. Jesus sent the disciples out two by two, and I think He did that to help them guard against pride.

    I pray that Fr. Corapi is found to be innocent, and that he is able to resume his ministry for he has been a very effective catechist and evangelizer. But for now, I think he should accept a humble silence for the good of the Church

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  31. Something does not add up - Here is a Priest who has stated more than once of having Our Holy appear to him - and stated more than once that Our Holy Mother was always at his side to keep him safe from satan - a satin that he claimed more than once he had encountered spiritually and physically - Now if Fr Coprai claims that he is so favoured by Heaven that Our Holy Mother appears to Him why now in his most desperate need ……………..silence -

    I see the facts as this:

    He was accused by an accuser that sells His Rosary beads on the web to raise money for Her ministry - This cries out ---she is a fraud

    Secondly, Fr Coprai by his own violation has let his Vocation - no matter what reason he gives - its betrayal

    Third His new web site image as BlackSheepDog is more demonic than Christian for man so educated and so steeped in The Christian Religion with so much worldly experience it questions at least his mental balance

    Lastly If he wanted to get out of public Life all he had to do was stay with his community and if he had Faith in Our Holy Mother - as he so often claims ‘Your Mama wears combat boots’’ - She would rush to his side and She would have won no question

    I will Pray for fallen Priests indeed all Priest for their battle is enormous but I have say it - to me a Man that has said all the right things and all to the right audience - by his behaviour he is only instilling in minds that he is a Fraud - My heart goes to him for he indeed needs prayers and compassionate understanding = I pray Our Holy Mother looks upon one of Her especial Sons and comes to His aid Amen

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  32. I agree with the person who has the wherewithall to know that priesthood is much more difficult today than it was in Padre Pio's time. I love and admire Padre Pio. To me, he exudes goodness, humility and sainthood. John Corapi, serving as a priest in a much different time period has never once gone against the dogmas of the Catholic Church. He always spoke the truth. He needs spiritual guidance in these days of darkness. I have found that praying to Padre Pio for John Corapi always gives me a sense of hope that one day, he will be cleared of all charges. Now is not the time to abandon him. Some of these blogs are inciting people to anger and more diabolical disorientation. Keeping in mind that anger is not of God, and one of the deadly sins, we all need to pray for him and for our own souls and souls of our brothers and sisters. We will obtain no graces unless we keep our own hearts pure.

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  33. A saint once said that if you are doing the work of God, expect to be persecuted as the devil will not disturb those who are doing his works.

    The actions of Fr. Corapi (or John Corapi now) reminds me of a chapter in Matthew wherein our Lord says that we have to be as shrewd as serpents but as harmless as doves. There are just many cases of falsely accused priests and when the accuser has recanted or when a priest has been exonerated, the damage has been done and the flock has been lost. Take the case of Fr. Murray, once a vibrant priest, was falsely accused of sexual inappropriateness. He fell into depression when his priestly faculties were suspended pending investigation. When he was exonerated, he was never the same again. He never recovered, died a broken man. The doctors even said that depression led him to his death.
    Here is a link of a sad short story about what happened to him.

    http://www.irishsalem.com/international-controversies/usa/Fr-Charles-Murphy-15jun11.php

    I like the unorthodox way that John Corapi is doing. He is using his God-given talents and gifts to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves". This must have caught the other party by surprised bec they must have expected him to follow suit the actions of what the other "accused" priests have done. Silence and wait.

    If and when John Corapi is found guilty , then it will come out in the courts and John Corapi brought judgment to himself. He has to bear the consequences of his actions. But if and when this female is guilty , then at least we can say that John Corapi has done a good fight. He will forgive her but will hate the sin. She will still have to pay a high price of her malicious and damaging behaviour. Just as the late Blessed Pope John Paul II. He forgave his assassin and visited him in prison but he never requested the Italian government to lessen his sentence. Ali Agca still served his sentence in jail. That is true justice and charity.

    Yes, once a priest, a priest forever. Only John Corapi and our Lord would know the real score of this situation of him leaving the priesthood. I do hope that our Lord will bring out good in a seemingly bad situation. And for as long as he remains in the church, I know he will be able to bring good to a lot of souls. Only history can tell.

    This incident convicts us more to pray a lot for our priests for the devil does not rest in taking them down.

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  34. In my humble opinion the entire premise of this post is flawed. Fr. Corapi is not Padre Pio. Padre Pio is not Fr. Corapi. Why try to compare or even contrast two entirely different people at all? Perhaps the Lord is using Fr. Corapi in an entirely different way than he used Padre Pio because Fr. Pio's example of obedience has come to naught with regard to the abuses committed by individual persons of authority in the Church. Why is it that you people fail to see the possibility that Fr. Corapi is being obedient to the Lord so as to help save the priesthood from frivolous accusations of each and every malcontent on the planet who has something against the Church or wants to take advantage of it or destroy it in some way?

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  35. Dear Fr Maximilian,
    You make a wonderful point that SOLT may have to answer on why they let Fr Corapi become such a 'lone ranger'. To give a counter perspective, the members of the lay organisation The Legion of Mary do their work in groups of two or bigger.

    And thank you very much for your encouragement. I really appreciate it, as it took weeks to get all the research for this post together.

    With many prayers for your parishioners,

    Mary

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  36. Please read St. Catherine of Sienna in the book THE DIALOG. "Sins of the clergy should not lessen your reverence for them, because the reverence you pay to them is not actually paid to them but to Me, in virtue of the blood I have entrusted in their ministry. So the reverence belongs not to the ministers, but to Me. And just as the reverence is done to Me so also the irreverence. This sin is committed directly against me. It is unmitigated by any profit to the sinner or any other pleasure except the sooty spite of pride. All other sins are committed either through stupidity or ignorance or through the sort of malice that, though conscious of the evil being done, sins for the sake of disordered pleasure or profit. This is sin committed directly aqainst me. Therefore I tell you if all the other sins these people have committed were put on one side and this one sin put on the other, the one would weigh more in My sight than all the others.

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  37. I think you may be misinterpreting the symbolism of the hound with wolves reflected in one eye and the sheep in the other.

    You say he seems to be portraying himself as the victim that the wolves are preying upon. But the intended victim of prowling wolves is the sheep, not the sheepdog.

    John Corapi is not claiming to be the victim, but rather the sheepdog that keeps one eye on the wolves, and the other eye on the sheep, in order to defend the sheep. If he wished to use symbolism to portray himself as the victim, he would identify himself with the sheep rather than the sheepdog.

    To dismiss such an obvious interpretation of the symbolism in favor of one that paints Fr. Corapi as petulant, seems to require a predisposition to believe the worst of both his character and his ability to competently construct a metaphor.

    The people holding up Fr. Corapi up as a modern Padre Pio are unwise to do so with so few facts on the table. But he's also being held up against Padre Pio by others - and castigated for comparing unfavorably to the saint.

    Maybe both sides should stop comparing the poor man to Padre Pio. He hasn't matched St. Pio's sanctity. Neither have I. Nor has anyone else I know.

    In so many commentaries (not yours) I seem to hear a note of Schadenfreude - a bit of satisfaction that Fr. Corapi has gotten his come-uppance.

    In some cases, I wonder if it's because he told people their favorite sins could cost them hellfire, and hah! here he is accused of those very sins. Serves the self-righteous so-and-so right.

    In other cases, I wonder if it's a miffed Elder Brother pointing a finger at the Prodigal and saying "SEE? I warned you, Dad. I knew all along you couldn't trust him. I'm the one you should be throwing the parties for."

    But until we know more, praying for all concerned might be more useful than rash judgments. Or even after we know more, for that matter.

    Mary in Chicago

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  38. Evidently the people who have chosen to judge Fr.Corapi, don't really know him! If you have followed him on EWTN and maybe were lucky enough to see him in person-you could not or would not judge him.How I wish there were more Fr. Corpi's in this world; what a better place this would be! Praying for you Fr. Corapi-May God bless you!

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  39. You know, Father Corapi has been accused of a horrendous crime within the Church as have other men. This is not like Pio. What he is involved in strikes the Church at her financial core. Priests seem to have no recourse in this. He was already suspended. Him voluntarily removing himself allows him to fight this in civil court which I believe he has a right to do. The Church is not helping him do this for some reason. Because I support this right does this mean I will be led blindly by him into a cult? NO. How many priests have left the priesthood to marry? Francis Mcnutt did that and became a great leader in healing. He was also shunned. We should not judge Father Corapi. We should wait. I agree the picture looks evil...but....everyone is saying there is evil in the church. Even Pope Paul VI said that evil had entered the sanctuary of the Church. I don't begrudge him for visually representing that. Maybe it needs to be represented. Maybe some of these bishops need to be exposed and maybe he is the man with the balls to do it and maybe he can't do that living in silence suspended for the nest 5 years.

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  40. Marianne Johnpillai4 July 2011 at 03:59

    Pray for priests my dear friends. Pray for priests. Pray with all your heart. Do not waste time debating. Let us all pray:

    Heavenly Father, we pray for all priests, those who remain faithful and for those who have fallen. We ask your Holy Spirit to help them to live fully their priestly vocation.. in humility, in obedience and with a sole desire to give YOU glory through all their work. May the Holy Spirit grant them all the gifts to empower them in their ministry of winning souls for you, not just through their words, but with their very lives. Merciful Jesus, may their own struggles and sufferings be united to those endured by you on the Cross. Mary, Mother of all priests, pray for them and protect them from the snares of the devil. AMEN.

    God bless you all. I love my Catholic faith. I love my church. And I know you all do too!

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  41. Hi, it is AA Kay, again. Does not anyone posting know of the correct way to handle addictions, like alcohol? Does not anyone know that The AA 12 Steps was written with the help of a good priest, and is actually based on the Spiritual Excercises of St Ignatius? This is true, and FrCorapi is handling this in the proper AA way of holding her accountable for her actions. Good thing, for what I see is many folks want to look the other way to him, who has tried to rightly give the help she needs.
    I see this frequently at meetings where family and freinds will coddle the addict or acoholic or join with him/her to blame shift or say "poor me, poor me", yeah, it is more like "pour me, another drink!"
    iF one is educated on alcoholism and/or addiction, they will know that Corapi is correct. I see way too much ignorance, enabling, lack of accountablity, consequenses, and just plain absence of common sense.
    This kind of "being Heavrnly Minded" is being of not earthly good.
    Fr. Corapi I think is a bigger saint than even Blessed Matthew Talbot, Patron of recovering Alcoholics, for her also is the best "12 Stepper" I have ever seen carrying the message fo his Higher Power, God.
    The Bible says, May people perish for lack of knowlege". Don't shoot the meesanger.
    Enabling, without accountability, is not charitable, nor prudent.

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  42. I think here is what we need is a little bit of charity. Everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon, has an opinion, or a criticism, yet what is needed is love and charity toward the man. Let God lead the way and let us pray for our priests and let God's justice prevail.

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  43. I find Fr Maximillian's comment somewhat disturbing as he identifies himself as a priest in direct criticism of a fellow priest.
    I wonder how Fr Maximillian feels about St Paul for his blatant show of 'disobedience' to our first pope on the question of the admission of Gentiles to the church without the requirement that they first become circumcised? It seems to me that if it were not for courageous and 'seemingly' outspoken individuals throughout the course of the Catholic church such as St Paul demonstrated, then countless individuals would have been banned from the church had St Peter not been confronted by him! Who can explain the fact that such a high percentage of so called Catholics have either left the church altogether or joined other denominations? Fr Corapi simply spoke out so strongly, as St John the Baptist did that he became hated to the point of death threats. All this talk against him is no surprise. He predicted it years ago in more than one of his brilliant tallks inspired by the Holy Spirit!!! I am sure that he rejoices with every slight made against him just as St Paul did!!! This blog has even 'fed' the blood thirsty individuals who seem to need to put him down and place judgement on him! Surely his statements and actions 'seem' peculiar. So did St Paul's in his day!!! Thank God for Fr Corapi. Thanks Mary for providing this forum!!!

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  44. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  45. Dear John Laurence,
    Fr Maximilian did not criticise John Corapi, but gave his opinion that John Corapi might best spend this time in 'humble silence'. If this is a 'forum', as you say, then Fr Maximilian has the opportunity to voice his opinion.

    Thank you for your enthusiastic comment, but I find an incongruity. You write that you find it 'disturbing that Fr Maximilian writes 'in direct criticism of a fellow priest'. Yet you write in praise of St Paul. If St Paul was 'outspoken', and often in criticism of St Peter, and that was good for the church's development, what would be wrong in 2011 with a priest making respectful comments about another priest?

    God bless always,

    Mary

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  46. Thanks for your reply, Mary!
    In answer to your question, I would suggest we look again at the Scripture whereas St Peter yielded to the possibility of the Holy Spirit in the actions and statements of St Paul. I don't see Fr Maximillian yielding to the possibility that Fr Corapi's actions and statements could also be inspired by the Holy Spirit. Holy obedience IS NOT NECESSARILY becoming a doormat in the face of injustice by one's superiors. I don't know about you but I happen to know a number of priests who have been 'thrown under the bus' by the current 'over reaction' of church policy on priest abuse. All the ones I know are good men who are simply waiting...perhaps for the rest of their earthly lives for the church to give them a fair evaluation of their perspective accusations/circumstances. I see Fr Corapi's courageous actions as a bit of saving action for all to many good priests who have been either falsely accused or are not guilty of the heinous crimes that child predators have committed. It seems to me that even Fr Maximillian may one day turn to Fr Corapi with great gratitude for making it possible for him to be treated fairly in the face of a number of potential false allegations!!! Obedience does not mean being a spineless individual. It means accepting all direction based on faith and morals which Fr Corapi has very carefully adhered to if anyone is really following his extremely wise approach to this whole unfortunate situation!!!
    Finally, I mean no disrespect to Fr Maximillian and I agree that he certainly is entitlled to his opinion. I think he should be extremely carefully how he words his opinion based on his position as a fellow ordained ministerial priest. That is my only contention. Every priest should give Fr Corapi the benefit of the doubt and be ultra careful with there opinions as they are in very important positions by way of their office!

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  47. Jesus said you can tell evil from good by the fruits it produces.

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  48. Great comment, Anonymous!
    Fr Corapi's preaching has produced tremendous fruit amongst countless people who were but 'lukewarm' in their faith due to ignorance about their religion. What marvelous fruit his preaching has produced! Certainly up in the ranks of Fr Peyton, St Pio, Bishop Fulton Sheen and the likes!!!
    Satan is NOT HAPPY about this fact and is now working feverishly to destroy any and all the great work that has been accomplished through Fr Corapi's hard work and dedication! Thankfully his work is recorded for posterity sake and like Bishop Sheen, his teachings will go on to inspire countless other souls once the dust of this scandal has settled!!!

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  49. Mary I enjoyed the articles and especially about Fr John Corapi; I live in Ireland, my email is:
    bmbrianmary755@gmail.com
    can you add me please so I can read the articles
    take care
    Brian

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  50. Hi Brian Mary,

    I'm so glad that you enjoyed my articles.

    You can receive my posts by e-mail if you put your e-mail into the box in the side bar and press submit.

    God bless always,

    Mary

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  51. "Yet, is it uncharitable to ask; if Fr Corapi’s many supporters later find out that he is in fact guilty, will their faith wither away? If their faith in built on Fr Corapi, who’s foundation may be built on sand, will their faith crumble with his reputation?"

    I'd have to go with YES, that is uncharitable as well as an assumption. Our "following" is not that it is "supporting" a man who has served the Church for 20 years bringing so many people back to the Catholic faith. No matte what he calls himself, he is still a priest (canonically) one on administrative leave still. Nothing is really KNOWN of this case and it is still unresolved. Until then, I will continue to pray for him and everyone involved and use my word for such instead of what most bloggers and Catholic writers are using them for (not you). I do find your speculations uncharitable and our dedication to praying and supporting Father Corapi does not mean our faith is built or based upon it. His being really found guilty, canonically, will be a heartbreak on the WHOLE CHURCH, you, me, and everyone else, like him or not! I'm praying for a miracle here, I hope your other readers follow suit.

    Blessings to you!

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    1. I don't think that anyone's "faith" is "built" on Father Corapi. I do know that he's taught, as I understand it, true teachings of the church. That's all I know. I do think that the people who are upset about how his order handled his "case" are more upset about that. I'd pity the Catholic whose "faith would wither away" because of what was done to one priest or another. Faith is in God and in the teachings as you accepted them once you became Catholic ( I'm a convert) "not" in a priest's teachings, no matter how faithful he may be to the Church. I've seen more balanced comments here on Father Corapi's innocence. Personally I think he's innocent.

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  52. (Hon.) Timothy ("Tim") Hunter, US FSO, etc.11 May 2012 at 13:31

    Fr. John Corapi should consider having the files that are being used against his cause be opened to the full light of day. Readers can make their own judgements based on the evidence against the priest if they have total access to the files. I have some experience in this area - I was a US diplomat serving in the Foreign Service when anonymous accusations were made againist me by unnamed officials. Rather than follow the rule of law which stipulates that all members of the Foreign Service "are entitled to the fullest meause of due process" (US Code)I wqas secretly tired in absentia and ordered to leave my office. The Diplomatice Security Service officers took my building pass, my diplomatic passport (returned stamped in red "cancelled"), and my government credit cards. I have petitioned the Secretary of State for my files and have been unable to obtain them. I wish they could be published in the full light of day so I know what I have been tagged for, which would give me the basis for an appeal. In the US to be locked out of one's office in the State Department seems to mean for many people I am "guilty" of something. However, the agency's minions have constructed a situation in which I am in a perfect limbo: tarred with no way to clean up and be exonergated. Where do I go to get my good name back?

    I cannot judge Fr. Corapi and consider him to be as if he were innocent of the various charges until: he is adjudicated in accordance with canon law before a tribunal and/or his accusing records are opened to the public to make its own candid consideration of the facts. I petition the Secreatary of State to release my files and I woold urge Fr. Corapi do this same regarding his adjudicators.

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  53. 1. Did we expect that sooner or later, someone would try to bring down Fr. Corapi, because of his fearlessness of exposed evil within the Church?
    2. So, it did happen. He is such a public figure. An accusation like this which was anticipated, should have been handled by the Church publicly, for the sake of the flock, so not to scandalize the faithful. But it was buried away and expected him to act like a saint. St. Teresa of Avila said, if you are wrongly accused and the matters are small, offer it up as penance for the time you were not caught. However, if matters are serious, you need to speak up and clear the matter so not to cause more damage for the body of Christ. The accusation made against Fr. Corapi is serious matter and everyone knew it was a false accusation, it just needs someone to step up to clear the smoke. Without doing so, it really makes the faithful lose heart on the Church and on SOLT.
    3. Fr. Corapi wasn't really destroyed by that woman, but by his own community, SOLT. His community betrayed him and abandoned him. I know his community which is full of people who are full of themselves. Fr. Corapi had been used as a bait to attract many vocations into the SOLT community. But, when he needed them, they turned their back on him as if he was the most disobedient religious on earth. They talked as if he was the most wicked religious as if he had never done any good. It disgusted me to the core. I believe that the Lord could not be happy about such uncharitable community, and He would put an end to this community.

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    1. Coropi was an egotistical fraud and Catholic "superstar" that so many cling to, hoping that he alone will bring back the Church to some image of what they think it should be. Then, when these people fall (and they do, often) the result is that people who became Coropi cult members lose their faith. Quit looking for Catholic superstars and spend more time with the humble parish priest.

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  54. Fr. Corapi has done nothing wrong. A disgruntled employee, who worked for his media company, made false and malicious accusations against him, after being fired. Father wants his name cleared of false charges and has taken her to civil court. The new appointed liberal Bishop of Corpus Christi, William Mulvey, tried to forbid Father into going into civil court and ordered SOLT Order Superior to silence him. Fr. Corapi is presently at home in Montana, waiting for the court decision on his case against the accuser.

    The previous Bishop (Emeritus) of Corpus Christi Rene Henry Gracida defends Fr. Corapi: “Under the present canonical procedure it is too easy for any person to allege sexual misconduct of a priest for a variety of possible unworthy motives: revenge, hope for monetary gain, hostility to the Catholic Faith, etc. Such is reported to have been the case of the accusation against Father Corapi. I suggested Father Corapi that probably the only way he could clear his name would be through a civil law suit filed against his accuser. I made the suggestion to Father James Flanagan, the Priest General Servant Emeritus, and Father Flanagan entrusted the message to Father Anthony Anderson, SOLT, who flew to Montana and personally delivered the suggestion to Father Corapi.”

    Father Corapi said: “I did not start this process, the Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas ordered my superiors, against their will and better judgment, to do it. He has a perfect right to do so, and I defend that right. Many forces besiege him, including pressure from other bishops. There are certain persons in authority in the Church that want me gone, and I shall be gone. My canon lawyer and my civil lawyers have concluded that I cannot receive a fair and just hearing under the Church’s present process. The Church will conclude that I am not cooperating with the process because I refuse to give up all of my civil and human rights in order to hold harmless anyone who chooses to say defamatory and actionable things against me with no downside to them.”

    Father Corapi, then, said: “Some very kind and fine people assume that I have “left the Church.” Please, understand this; I have not left the Church. I love the Catholic Church and would not “leave the Church.” I have resigned from public ministry, only. Once a man is ordained a priest he remains a priest for all eternity. Holy Orders is one of the three sacraments that imprints an indelible mark on the soul. What the Church can give or remove is “faculties”, which authorizes the person to publicly administer the sacraments. I always cringe when I hear “he’s not a priest anymore.” If he ever was, he still is. What they mean is that he is not functioning in the normal way most priests function, that is, publicly administering the sacraments.”

    Until his faculties to publicly administer the sacraments are returned, Fr. Corapi has to remain silent and can only offer mass privately, something he does daily. In the meantime, Fr. John is suffering in silence; he has remained faithful to the Church, as he has said, “I love the Catholic Church.” Please continue to pray for Fr John, who he has been falsely and maliciously accused.

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