A video is out that seems to be from Fr. Corapi saying that he’s quitting the priesthood. New Advent has the link above the fold. This would be a heartbreaking turn of events.
Some suspect that this isn’t actually Fr. Corapi. There does seem to be some issues with the audio. But check it out. Let me know. If it’s a fraud, it’s a pretty good one that someone went to a lot of trouble to put up. If it’s true it’s really sad.
Update: Yeah, it seems like it’s him. There’s a link to his new site from Fr.Corapi.com
His new site is theblacksheepdog.us
Update2: I gotta’ tell you watching it again I can’t help but think it’s kinda’ icky that he used this message to plug a new venture -this blacksheepdog thing. Am I right? Isn’t that a bit icky after all this talk and prayer to have this.
I feel kinda’ like Ralphie from a Christmas story who after waiting forever for a message from Annie all he got was a crummy commercial “Be Sure to drink your ovaltine.“
June 18, 2011 at 3:54 am
This whole thing is beyond weird. Hoax was my first thought. But I guess it would have to be a pretty elaborate one since the Black Sheepdog site links from Corapi's own site. Has anyone noticed the facebook and youtube icons at the top of the blacksheepdog site are turned to the side to spell F You?
June 18, 2011 at 4:00 am
He did sign off the latter as "John Corapi (once called “father,” now “The Black Sheep Dog”)"
June 18, 2011 at 4:05 am
If you're not allowed to engage in public ministry, then you can't use the title, right? Sort of like not going to protests in uniform for military personnel.
That would also explain the wider audience– if he went back to exactly what he'd been doing before, he would be accused of ignoring the authority of his superiors and conducting a ministry when he's on administrative suspension.
June 18, 2011 at 4:26 am
I certainly don't want to judge him in terms of whether he is guilty or innocent in terms of what he was accused of. Nor do I have the knowledge of the canon law to discern whether his objections are legitimate or not
However, I found the tone on the BlackSheepDog to be morally troubling. It strikes me as possibly being defiantly vindictive and not just angry. If he permits that anger to fester, it could lead him astray.
I pray this is not actually the case here and that rather I am misinterpreting him.
–Arnobius of Sicca.
June 18, 2011 at 5:09 am
Bill Russell
“Mr.” Corapi was a fraud from the get-go. “Rad Trads,” delighted when he exploited their anger, shamelessly defended him against the bishops to whom Catholics are obliged to pledge their fealty. Now he has betrayed those whom he duped and, more tragically, he has betrayed Christ the High Priest by abandoning the priesthood for what he obviously hopes will amount to big bucks more than thirty pieces of silver. It is time for those who defended this charlatan to apologize to the bishops of our Holy Church.
June 18, 2011 at 5:21 am
From the About page on his website:
"John Anthony Corapi (born 20 May 1947) is a Catholic priest from the United States. "
Please note he used the word "is" and not "was."
June 18, 2011 at 5:30 am
Bill you are full of **it. Many many bishop have gone on the record stating that Fr. Corapi presentations should norm for teaching the catechism.
June 18, 2011 at 5:49 am
This just makes me sad. He's right. I have first hand knowledge of how unfair these investigations are. He is considered too conservative by many. I looked forward to hearing that great "booming voice" on the radio and tv.He did much good. I hope he can continue to do much more good. I pray that God will intervene and justice prevail. I trust that he was falsely accused. But I am not going to to judge him or anyone else for that matter. As in all things….God's will be done.
June 18, 2011 at 6:08 am
I have heard him speak and he is definitely a great speaker. When he first announced his suspension, I thought that his statement was prideful and that he was not happy about being taking out of the limelight. He talked about his ministry and how it was unfair that he had to stop it. Now with this new statement, I felt the same way. I have to wonder if the bishop had asked him to stop the public ministry and since he did not want his popularity taken away, he grew angry. I am not denying that he has done a lot of good for the Church but I think his pride and desire for popularity have gotten the better of him. If he did leave the priesthood, then all I can say is that the Devil did his job by eliminating a priest and a teacher of the faith. It is a sad day but then again if you let "wordly" things take control of you to the point that you are taking credit for your work instead of giving it to God, I am not surprised by the outcome of this.
Cheri
June 18, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Agree with Anonymous at 10:33. And we should not be naive. We should involve ourselves in the work of the Church and support the Church more than ever.
June 18, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Father, the Reverend John Corapi, has not yet begun to fight.
June 18, 2011 at 1:51 pm
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/06/15/an_innocent_priest_dies_of_a_broken_heart/?camp=misc:on:twit:rtbutton
Matthew, please read the above link first. I am no fan, follower or otherwise of John Corapi, but this whole thing looks similar to situations I've seen professionally where a "deep pockets" figure was accused of misdeeds in a shakedown. Only priests have no right to know who accused them, what they are accused of, the status of investigation and no rights of recourse for wrongs done under the USCCB policy currently in effect.
We know that the sexual abuse crisis leaves many victims. Some of them are innocent priests.
June 18, 2011 at 1:54 pm
It seems to me that Corapi used his priesthood for the authority and credibility of the Church when he spoke publicly. Now, he is refusing to submit to that authority and is undermining the bishops' credibility. That is hypocrisy. Further, his actions may lead others to leave the Church when things go against them, if they can't get an annulment but want to remarry, for example. The Church's processes are flawed, but our response should be humble acceptance in light of our own sinfulness, not open rebellion and portraying ourselves as the innocent victim. Further, his actions make me wonder about his innocence. A civil court will not pursue his case since his accuser is an adult. He knows that. But if the church court discovers he is guilty, his career is over. Very suspicious. I for one, will not follow this black sheep anywhere.
June 18, 2011 at 2:04 pm
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June 18, 2011 at 2:24 pm
I remember the day I heard of the Father Corapi issue; I was reading a post on Patheos about how wonderful and special it was that Bishop so & so was welcoming and opening up his church to the gay community. I could not believe what I was reading, a clergyman saying the church was closed to sinners, how clearly disingenuous, ah.. but it was now open without repentance. That day Satan was sending a clear and terrifying signal … the priest with the booming voice, who called us all to confession(how many priests do that!), to hold our Mother's hand as she leads us to her Son… was silenced.
June 18, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Hmm, Mr. Corapi is building a fan base, hard for him to give up the spot light.(What would Padre Pio have done?)
June 18, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Regardless of your opinion of these events, do not let the haters lead you to doubt the truth of the faith. The truth is the truth and don't let anyone teach you something different. It doesn't have to come only from one man. The Church is endlessly teaching it. Look for the truth where you are and be supported in that. If the reason why people register hate towards this man is because of the truth of the faith that he taught, run from what they say, don't listen! If they believe in the truth yet did not care for him as a tv personality, that is fine and we are all free to choose. The message of the truth is what matters, it is good and it is our faith, not something else. Do not follow the something else as reflected by those who hate him because of what he said as it does not mean well for us.
June 18, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Difference between Padre Pio– or Jesus when he was accused– and this: both of those were personal, the issue here is systematic. About the only thing I can think of that Jesus dealt with, directly, that was a systematic failure was the guys selling in the temple. Big difference dealing with flawed (or mislead) people and a flawed system. Somebody with a lot more research time than I have might want to go compile interactions of the apostles with the Jewish power structure– I seem to remember a lot of the issues were with that one rabbi, but there might have been a system issue there, too.
June 18, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Hearbreaking….seemed he was just shifting his focus….until the end when he says "John Corapi….used to be called Father…". That was a pretty definitive statement to me. Sad–first Fr. Enteneur now Fr. Corapi. Scary.
June 18, 2011 at 7:32 pm
It is interesting that one man, a priest, could come to huge popularity and widespread audience to fill stadiums. For preaching the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Apparently people are very hungry for this message.