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 6, 2011 at 1:47 pm
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.
You have made numerous charges about the character and motivation of SOLT and of other Catholic commentators.
The statement and most of what is online is nothing short of gossip and calumny.
As is most of your comment.
Most are nasty, snarky, and gossipy over this story.
As is most of your comment.
Father Z has the only respectable approach
Pity that you didn't seem to heed what he actually said:
Corapi has an immortal soul. He is need of a Savior just like the one writing this and you who are reading this. And I would remind you that you, dear reader, are not sinless and neither am I. Many people who admired Corapi will want to know what happens in his case, but I urge you to examine your consciences for your motives. Those who didn’t like him, consider first your own state of soul and God’s mercy. In any event, pray for him, who seems to be very troubled, and for all the people who have been harmed in the matter.
July 6, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@David L
As much as I would like to think that religious orders have control over what their members get up to, I'm afraid it's far from reality. More than just about anything else religious life depends on the religious to faithfully live out their vows. Sure enough it can create the right environments so this can flourish, but at the end of the day an individual member can flaunt the rules by living a double life even when superiors tell them otherwise, and this is very delicate as you want the member to return to the life of the vows and when that is not obvious there is a very long and complex canonical process to be followed scrupulously.
So I think that your criticisms that SOLTI are incompetent are premature and most likely unfair.
July 6, 2011 at 3:01 pm
I have remained silent on this issue for so long just waiting to see. Now I am going to speak out. Whether anyone really wants to believe it or not, after VII the nature and role of the priesthood changed. There were always impediments which had to be examined before a man could be considered for the Office of Holy Orders. Simply "desiring to be a priest" or "feeling called" was not good enough. A mans life had to be examined closely—past history of mental issues, drug abuse, illicit sexual behavior, careerism—all were considered. A man with a past history of drug abuse, mental illness, extravagant lifestyles would NEVER have been considered for the priesthood prior to Vatican II. Never unless he lied. "Father" Corapi has brought huge, huge, huge, huge scandal to and already tarnished priesthood. His "message" is irrelevant. Even the devil knows the Scripture! The priesthood was NEVER supposed to consist of "average joes" looking for a "career." The very Pope that ordained Father Corapi is the same Pope who left us with the idea of a "common" priesthood. When everything is taken away from a priest and given to the laity what is he left to do??? What is he left with??? We, then, expecting nothing really "special" from him, after all he is just like us only he answered "the call." After VII we were warned. After Pope JPII issued a New Code of Canon Law in 1984, we were warned again. Now it has come to fruition and good and faithful Catholics are being deceived and deluded yet again. A priest, no matter how significant his message, is NOT an entertainer. His first job is to pray. Period. His second job is to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the other sacraments. Then his job is to teach. How does Satan destroy the Church?—from within through the priesthood. Destroy the priesthood, there are NO sacraments, all souls go to Hell. St. John Vianney and St. Padre Pio please pray for us.
July 6, 2011 at 3:48 pm
It is interesting to note that Corapi's fall from grace occurred on the 30th anniversary of Medjugorje. 200,000 people/pilgrims, devout catholics were there to pray and experience the peace of Our Lady to come closer to Her Son.
Not one word was written about this in the National Catholic register or "Reporter".
Instead we get series of sad stories of a demanding "conservative" priest who says things like my mother Mary wears combats boots.
ABC News took the time to write a balanced, curious non-judgmental piece about Medjugorje that for the life of me I do not understand why the Catholic press is incapable of doing something on Mejugorje. MILLIONS of good people see something good there.
ABC NIghtline is doing a story on Medjugoje tonight ..Wake up Catholic press
http://abcnews.go.com/International/reported-visions-virgin-mary-draw-hordes-bosnian-village/story?id=13979679
July 6, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Look, Fr. Z says he's "troubled". There is a history of addiction and lack of self control – one could say even to a manic state. And that history surrounding his previous downturn of addiction appears to be mimicked by his latest scenario. How did he get that much freedom within a community with rights over his lifestyle? Someone even mentioned him telling of a psychiatrist who analyzed him prior to his seminary entrance thinking something like he wasn't all there and recommended against his entrance! Something similar happened in regard to Thomas Merton with his own "after ordination" return exemplified by abusing community laws, lack of discernment by his authorities and use of others/friends for his own purposes.
Unless anyone knows then just how much real physical/mental/psychological traits in his natural makeup influenced the full use of his will, they ought to refrain from imposing their "solutions" upon him. Hopefully he can finally be evaluated by experts re: his stability and/or rationality.
Perhaps a window to him is that he desired to preach only orthodoxy to the faithful while succumbing to all the other influences in his private life…a split off that couldn't last forever.
July 6, 2011 at 4:08 pm
I think SOLT will be a casualty of this debacle along with Father Corapi. How can they survive being so lax in their supervision and then releasing this information? They threw a bomb that will destroy them both.
July 6, 2011 at 4:58 pm
SOLT has a terrible reputation in Texas. This happened:
http://www.ksat.com/news/25899365/detail.html
…and apparently got the entire society kicked out of the San Antonio Archdiocese. So "Lack of oversight" is nothing new here. I think that now everyone will suspect that Corapi has basically been paying them off to keep those convenient letters at the end of his name.
This "press release" is rather amazing. Either it is a hack, or their legal counsel is Bozo the clown. What a conniving person like Corapi and his legal team can do with this will be stunning to watch.
July 6, 2011 at 5:42 pm
I guess we lay people are to partly blame – we haven't been praying enough for our Priests!
July 6, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Yes, sure, that's who's to blame here, the laity.
Excuse me while I go have me head examined, because for sure one of the two of us needs to.
July 6, 2011 at 6:35 pm
I think this is sad. These allegations are all things he did before his conversion, and it could be this woman just rehased known prior faults. As much as I don't want to butt into Fr Corapi's privacy (and don't want to know period), they should provide specific occurances of these activities-otherwise it's just he-said, she-said.
July 6, 2011 at 6:41 pm
"As times grow darker, the protection of the Consecration to Mary’s Immaculate Heart grows more important and more necessary to every faithful Catholic."
Please consider making a total consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The next consecration begins July 13th and ends on the Feast of the Assumption.
The My Consecration Apostolate provides materials for free:
http://www.myconsecration.org/
July 6, 2011 at 7:24 pm
@Matt:
Where is it said this occured "before his conversion?" This states that it was "during public ministry."
We also know from Fr. Corapi himself that his accuser was only recently employed by him.
As far as releasing more infomration like the contents of the emails, texts, etc, I think that is way too voyeuristic at worst, a "mere" occasion of sin at best.
We do know one thing: all of that information would've been presented to Fr. Corapi had he not gone out of his way to terminate the investigation.
July 6, 2011 at 7:27 pm
I find it very curious that SOLT would release such a powerful statement by someone who would be unavailable to provide further comment upon its release. Couldn't they have waited until someone was available to provide proper followup?
July 6, 2011 at 7:39 pm
Yeah, where is the proof? Maybe SOLT thought it would get the money when he died and now–NOT.
July 6, 2011 at 9:38 pm
"Father Sheehan will not be available for comments as he is attending the SOLT General Chapter from July 5-23."
Uh huh. I'll bet. After all, there are so many other more important things going on in the SOLT.
July 6, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Actually, as one of the leaders of SOLT, the General Chapter is kind of a big deal, and it was something known about for months. Especially since they are looking to become a Pontifical.
Besides, what more can be said? He has laid out the charges. And he has formally ordered Fr. Corapi to "knock it off." Until Fr. Corapi either complies or disobeys even further, there is nothing to say. This isn't optional or up for negotiation. Fr. Corapi has to obey.
July 6, 2011 at 10:07 pm
It's in his hometown. At home base. He's not "going anywhere", he's just avoiding having to deal with the fallout. I wish we poor lay trash could just hide from our problems like that. With any luck, he may get a Major Basilica to hide in. That's the Catholic way, baby.
About SOLT becoming a Pontifical. Heh heh heh HAHahahaha. Yeaaaah. Good luck. Between Fiala hiring a hit man to knock off the teen he molested and Corapi embarassing the entire Church, somehow I doubt their prospects are very bright.
Maybe the topic of the General chapter should be "Exciting opportunities in alternate religious societies" or "Noah: Portrait of preparedness".
July 7, 2011 at 12:46 am
Gary Burbank can tell me all I need to know about priest and preachers like Corapi……… and he explains it with humor.
…….Rev. Deuteronomy Skaggs of the Little Radio Church of the White Winged Gospel Truth, who would beseech his followers:
"Don't make me holler/Don't make me shout!
Turn them pockets inside out!
And shoot the loot to the Lord"
"dig in them jeans and pull out them greens"
July 7, 2011 at 6:28 am
He does seem to be showing every sign of a soul in trouble, doesn't he?
Please Father John…….turn around.
July 7, 2011 at 9:55 am
PRAYER FOR PRIESTS – NEVER ATTACK A PRIEST
Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord,
Keep them, for they are Thine –
Thy priests whose lives burn out before
Thy consecrated shrine.
Keep them, for they are in the world,
Though from the world apart;
When earthly pleasures tempt, allure, –
Shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them, and comfort them in hours
Of loneliness and pain,
When all their life of sacrifice
For souls seems but in vain.
Keep them, and O remember, Lord,
They have no one but Thee,
Yet they have only human hearts,
With human frailty.
Keep them as spotless as the Host.
That daily they caress;
Their every thought and word and deed,
Deign, dearest Lord, to bless.
Our Father… Hail Mary…Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for them.
Imprimatur: +D. Card. Dougherty, Arch. of Philadelphia
THE PRIESTHOOD IS A MASTERPIECE OF CHRIST'S DIVINE LOVE, WISDOM AND POWER…
NEVER ATTACK A PRIEST
CRITICISM OF PRIESTS
Our Lord's revelations to Mutter Vogel…
"One should NEVER attack a priest, even when he's in error, rather one should pray and do penance that I'll grant him My grace again. He alone fully represents Me, even when he doesn't live after My example!" (page 29, Mutter Vogel's Worldwide Love, St. Grignion Publishing House, Altoting, South Germany (29. 6. 1929)).
When a Priest falls we should extend him a helping hand THROUGH PRAYER AND NOT THROUGH ATTACKS! "I myself will be his judge, NO ONE BUT I!"
"Whoever voices judgment over a priest has voiced it over Me; child, never let a Priest be attacked, take up his defense." (Feast of Christ the King 1937)
"Child, Never judge your confessor, rather pray much for him and offer every Thursday, through the hands of My blessed Mother, Holy Communion (for Him) (18.6. 1939)&nsp;
"Never again accept an out-of-the-way word about a Priest, and speak no unkind word (about them) EVEN IF IT WERE TRUE! Every Priest is My Vicar and My heart will be sickened and insulted because of it! If you hear a judgment (against a Priest) pray a Hail Mary." (28. 6. 1939)
"If you see a Priest who celebrates the Holy Mass unworthily then say nothing about him, rather tell it to Me alone! I stand beside him on the altar!"
"Oh pray much for My priests, that they'll love purity above all, that they'll celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with pure hands and heart. Certainly the Holy Sacrifice is one and the same even when it is celebrated by an unworthy priest, but the graces called down upon the people is not the same!" (28. 2. 1938)
Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for them.
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love You, Save Souls."
Our Sheppard’s are not immune to sin. As they help us in our moments of weakness so we should help them. We should not allow our unruly brothers and sister’s, Liturgy committee’s, choir people, special interest groups etc. to gang up on our Priests, to insist on rights that they are not entitled too. The only One who has any rights in the Mass is Almighty God. The rest of us need to be on our knees making like the Publican in scripture;…“ 13And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner”(Luke 18:13)
Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us