I have to think this through, but I thought I might post some of the things running through my head.
One the one hand, if the process is anything like what Corapi describes with secret accusers and secret accusations and no due process, the Church is acting in a grossly unfair way.
On the other hand, it has only been three months and he throws in the towel on the whole priesthood? Rather than suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Corapi answered the ‘to be or not to be’ with a resounding ‘not to be.’
The process may be grossly unfair, but it really has only begun. Throwing in the towel so quickly, unfair process or not, is not the only thing that stinks in Denmark.
Leaving the priesthood so that you can continue your (profit making?) ministry after three months says that he does not hold his priesthood in very high regard. How can a priest give up saying the Mass so easily?
There are priests in China who suffer much more than Corapi has in these last few months at the hands of a much more unjust system but would never consider giving up their legitimate priesthood. Never.
This quick decision to abandon the priesthood by Corapi cannot help leave one with the impression that the priesthood was only a means to an end. When the going got rough, he quickly dumped the priesthood to move on. This does not speak well of him.
I have a tendency to think in analogies and metaphors to help clarify my thinking. I know this is not a perfect parallel but imagine…
I have unfairly been accused of adultery. My wife ignores my protestations and moves out and will not even pick up the phone. What kind of man would I be if I said after three months, I guess divorce is my only option?
What about pray, suffer, persevere? And then pray some more?
I don’t think that quitting the priesthood necessarily means that Corapi is guilty of what he has been accused (but it doesn’t inspire confidence.) That said, quitting the priesthood may mean he was not a very good priest or man.
Leave a Reply