Update II: I spoke with the editor of NC Register and he has stated to me that multiple sources confirmed this is a real statement by SOLT.
Update III: The statement now appears on the SOLT website.
Update III: Matt here. When I first saw this statement from SOLT, I actually couldn’t believe they were releasing this information. But the more I thought about it, I can see them being worried that some would believe Corapi’s public protestations and continue following him. It seems to me that it would be irresponsible not to let people know.
Update IV: David L. had an excellent point in the combox. He said “What SOLT hasn’t disclosed, is how a member of their Society could have conducted business transactions to the extent that they maintain he did, without sufficient oversight from them. If they did have oversight, they could be deemed accessories. If they did not have oversight, they could be deemed incompetent.”
I don’t know exactly what evidence they have but I’d imagine it would have to be pretty convincing to release this. Corapi seems like a litigious guy so I’d have to imagine SOLT has their ducks in a row on this.
SOLT, Father Corapi’s order, has issued a statement that summed up says. “Yeah, he did it!”
SOLT’s fact-finding team has acquired information from Father Corapi’s emails, various witnesses and public sources that, together, state that, during his years of public ministry:
— He did have sexual relations and years of cohabitation (in California and Montana) with a woman known to him, when the relationship began, as a prostitute.— He repeatedly abused alcohol and drugs.
— He has recently engaged in “sexting” activity with one or more women in Montana.
— He holds legal title to over $1 million in real estate, numerous luxury vehicles, motorcycles, an ATV, a boat dock, and several motor boats, which is a serious violation of his promise of poverty as a perpetually professed member of the society.
Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/father-john-corapi-resigns-from-solt/#ixzz1RFcUrplp
A statement of this kind is highly unusual to say the least. But if this stuff is substantiated (and it would appear to be) there is no way that SOLT could allow him to continue to portray himself as the victim and portray himself as a Catholic ‘leader’ of some sort. No way. Terrible. Sad. Infuriating. And so much more.
Update: Some people are suggesting the SOLT statement isn’t real. I have it on good authority that it has been verified otherwise the Reg would not have run it. It is legit. SOLT says he did it all.
Update II: I spoke with the editor of NC Register and he has stated to me that multiple sources confirmed this is a real statement by SOLT.
More commentary to come. Still trying to take it in.
July 5, 2011 at 10:32 pm
@David: I'm voting for incompetence and laxity. His property ownership is on public record through the website of the county.
About "poverty": his community makes promises of poverty rather than vows; they are morally equally binding, but treated a little differently in canon law. (It's easier to be released from a promise.) SOLT says he made the promise as a perpetually professed member.
I think Voris already devoted a video to critiquing Corapi's "professional Catholic" critics (June 23) and their "disgusting", "self-righteous", "backbiting" tone and "overt hypocrisy". It may have been premature.
July 5, 2011 at 10:35 pm
David:
Perhaps they tried over the years. Perhaps Corapi lied to them. Perhaps he threatened them. Perhaps those who gave him permission to live apart earlier benefited from the arrangement. Perhaps the current leadership of SOLT is attempting to clean up a mess left from the past. Perhaps – and there's really no perhaps on this – if SOLT had made even one move to try to reign in or supervise Corapi he would have immediately donned his Victim Suit and bellowed that THEY were trying to REIGN HIM IN because they were AFRAID of the TRUTH he was speaking.
I find your disinterest in laying any responsibility on Corapi himself for exploiting the faithful intriguing. He wasn't an infant you know. He was a grown man.
July 5, 2011 at 10:36 pm
David – as to your question, I can't help but wonder if the SOLT had difficulty proceeding with doing the necessary oversight because they feared litigation. Let's face it… Corapi has proven to be a very litigious man.
Further, Corapi has, at least prior to today's statement, enjoyed the support of the former bishop of Corpus Christi.
This case reminds me of another bombshell case involving the Intercessors of the Lamb and Nadine Brown. There was long time support from a good and orthodox bishop. But, after his retirement, a new set of eyes comes in and looks at it without the same level of attachment that can come with a bishop who watches a community's birth and growth.
Maciel fooled many a good and holy people and I'm not saying Corapi is Maciel. But it just goes to show that some in the episcopacy have difficulty at times looking at a case with all the necessary objectivity and detachment.
It's all the more reason why we must pray for our priests and bishops. I suspect the Church will take the time to develop training for bishops to help them better discern emerging communities, or powerful figures, as well as existing ones.
July 6, 2011 at 12:30 am
The reason why SOLT never reigned Corapi in was because of the money he was making and his lawyers. Whenever a situation doesn't make sense follow the money trail. Corapi had his co-workers sign NDA's and now we know why. The bombshell letter was so disturbing on so many levels it made my stomach turn. The followers of John Corapi were betrayed by someone diabolically evil if the charges are true. Corapi and his followers both need prayers on this most dark day in the Catholic Church community.
July 6, 2011 at 12:43 am
I think he was framed. He's not guilty.
Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.
July 6, 2011 at 12:49 am
I think he's proven to be our Elmer Gantry. Shame on all of us for seeking the flamboyant over the substantive.
July 6, 2011 at 12:55 am
Corapi is (was?) a Roman Catholic priest. The very fact that he HAS 'Followers' is indicative of the problems.
July 6, 2011 at 12:56 am
Go read excerpts from "Coronary" for a real eye-opener.
The only shocking aspect of this story is how he got away with it for so long. Of course, Maciel taught us that these cons are expert in setting up systems that protect themselves so that they can flourish in their life of sin without getting caught.
The real scandal and source of confusion is that the beautiful Truths Corapi taught were apparently ineffective in doing good for his own soul. That's the tough part to reconcile.
July 6, 2011 at 12:56 am
All that this proves is that he is apparently sinful. What a stunning revelation. Probably like most of us – – except the creators of blogs apparently.
It does not prove that anything he taught was false, which is more than can be said for many in the clergy.
For the few who truly were "cult" followers of him, this will be very difficult to bear. For the majority who just appreciated his orthodox message, it will have no effect at all.
July 6, 2011 at 1:23 am
Did anyone take note of this accusation "improper sacramental practices" This is becoming a very sad and scary situation.
The last time I saw him speak, I was not moved and was wondering who he was. However, I never saw this coming. Yea, he's capable of falling back into substance abuse, sexual relations but the whole rich man's lifestyle and improper sacramental practices. he's been radically out of control.
July 6, 2011 at 1:44 am
Yuck!
July 6, 2011 at 1:57 am
While the accuser has come out now, she clearly knew what she was doing with a priest at the time. Yuck, and double yuck. Pray for all involved, even if only writing on blogs. We all need to talk through the astonishment, grief, and anger. Writing and reading helps many of us.
July 6, 2011 at 2:00 am
Our bishops are sit and do nothing but try to find ways to raise money. I haven't met a priest in recent years that didn't live in his own apartment or house. Most bishops know if they have a bad priest on their hands, but wait, hoping it won't become public for a number of reasons, most are tragic.
July 6, 2011 at 2:53 am
Personally I think that we should stop devoting so much time to this man. That is what the devil and Corapi wants us to do. Hey any press for him is probably good press and draw more people to him and his products.
I guess I look at it as the fact that there are so many more pressing and important matters out there that when we concentrate on this guy, our attention is no longer being put on the correct thing. He was pulled by the status and celebrity of it all and I feel that we do more justice to God when we do not get pulled in that direction as well. Corapi has chosen to be "part of this world" but we can choose to be part of God's world. May we continue to pray for all our priests so that find the grace to remain faithful to God's service.
Cheri
July 6, 2011 at 3:13 am
can one simply resign from a community of apostolic life? In other words, is his resignation valid, or does it depend on a process from the SOLT?
July 6, 2011 at 3:13 am
If this is true (and it's starting to look that way), could someone clarify something for me? I seem to remember Fr. Corapi's private property possession being "grandfathered", since he joined SOLT before they changed their constitution to that effect. Does anyone with a better memory (or time for research, at the moment) have any data on that>
July 6, 2011 at 3:14 am
(That last ">" should be a "?", by the way!)
July 6, 2011 at 3:38 am
None of us have any proof from either side.
Both sides are engaging in gossip, backbiting, slander, and libel.
We are spectators and voyeurs to the gossip.
Calumny, detraction, etc. are grave sins being committed by both sides.
July 6, 2011 at 4:03 am
We beleaguered Catholics are easy suckers for a conversion story but before we conclude that Corapi is the next Augustine, let us recall what the first Augustine said that is so relevant to this sordid tale:
"It is a perversion for people to want to enjoy money, but merely to make use of God. Such people do not spend money for the sake of God but worship God for the sake of money."
St Augustine, City of God, Book XI, chapter 26 http://tinyurl.com/CorapiDogTail
July 6, 2011 at 12:24 pm
A few weeks ago SOLT said the investigation was suspended and now they say he is guilty? Hmmm, I smell a rat. I am shocked that SOLT issued such a statement as it is nothing more than accusations with no evidence. All they have done is throw gas on the fire. No, Michael Voris was not premature-the critics of Corapi should be embarassed for engaging in gossip and calumny. Father Z has the only respectable approach:pray and no comment on the charges. Right out of the gate Catholic commentators have made judgements not only on the charges but on Father character (ego, pride….)with not one shred of evidence. We have no more evidence today than we did 2 days ago yet even Patrick seems to indicate that "yup, he's guilty". How do you figure that? Based on what? SOLT's statement? Check out Bishop Gracida's comments. I think he is spot on especially as it concerns SOLT's disregard of the faithful who benefitted from hearing solid Church teaching. SOLT should be ashamed of their actions. There was no need for a statement. The statement and most of what is online is nothing short of gossip and calumny. Really, based on what we know, no one should be posting this statement. With the exception of very few , I have lost respect for Catholic commentators. Most are nasty, snarky, and gossipy over this story. They seem to revel in Father Corapi's downfall (not you Patrick). I only wish that the commentators had spent their time building up the Body of Christ rather than tearing down not only a priest but those they accused of "idolatory". Rather than good solid writing on accepting our priests, warts and all, and that the sin didn't negate the message, we got just that: "he is a sinner, I knew it all along and his message is suspect". That last is a big paraphrase of what I have read online but I think it is accurate. And they wonder why we are so hungry for teaching. Sad, sad, sad. Pray, pray, pray.