Corapi has issued a response the the SOLT press release of the other day. I was going to write “issued a defense” but I couldn’t do it with a straight face. Why? Because it would be the worst defense ever.
So let’s deal with a few things before we get to the heart of it. SOLT accused Corapi of a few things. Namely…
- Violating a promise of poverty.
- Sexting.
- And SHACKING UP WITH A HOOKER for years!!
I am going to answer in a simple, straight forward way what seem to me the main elements of the action taken against me by the Diocese of Corpus Christi and the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.
Regarding my personal financial situation—From the earliest days (more than twenty years ago) the Founder of the Society of Our Lady, Fr. James Flanagan, encouraged me to support myself and the Church as well. He said they could not afford to support my ministry and me personally because of the unique nature of the mission. At every step of the way, through the entire past twenty years, the Society of Our Lady’s leadership knew of my financial independence. As Fr. Flanagan encouraged, I have supported SOLT and myself from ‘day-one.‘ I have never relied on the Society for shelter, clothing, transportation, medical care, or legal counsel and instead, using my history of success in business, set up my mission as any savvy business man would, meanwhile continuing to support the Society and many other Catholic Charities.
Regarding the charge of sexual impropriety—This song of greed has been sung many times before. I have never had any promiscuous or even inappropriate relations with her. Never.
Regarding the investigation—As standard practice, my legal counsel advised me not to cooperate with the investigation until I was able to determine that the Commission’s process was fair and I had adequate rights to defend myself. Questions that certainly qualify the validity of any legal case have never been answered by the so called “fact finding team.” They refuse to reveal, and therefore utilize, any of the so-called evidence perhaps because if ‘the bad guy’ were truly revealed it may be revealed that he is really not that bad. Clearly, as my legal counsel has portrayed, the evidence supplied by the accused (of which my counsel is not permitted access to) must not have any substance.
Regarding ‘hush money’—I never paid anybody off to remain silent. On two occasions there were standard severance agreements executed with former employees and independent contractors. These agreements contained very common non-disclosure provisions. Any attorney who would not include such provisions in such agreements would rightly be guilty of negligent and actionable conduct.
Regarding my resignation—I resigned because the process used by the Church is grossly unjust, and, hence, immoral. I resigned because I had no chance from the beginning of a fair and just hearing. As I have indicated from the beginning of all this, I am not extinguished! If I were to commit to the suggestion of the Society, then I would essentially crawl under a rock and wait to die. However, I can not deny this desire to share aspects of Truth and Hope with all those willing to hear. This is what I shall continue to fight for! Many are not going to appreciate this decision, and I respect that. For those who can accept it, onward!
His defense response? SOLT knew and encouraged my financial situation. Ok, that may be true. Sexting? Not mentioned.
As for the SHACKING UP WITH A HOOKER for years!! His response would make Bill Clinton blush. Let me parse it fer ya.
THAT woman? THAT woman over there. I never had sex with THAT woman.
But what about the hooker, Father?
Let me repeat. I never had sex with THAT woman. THAT woman right there. Never laid a hand on HER. Nope never.
And the shacking up with a hooker?
Let me repeat. I never had sex with THAT woman. THAT woman right there.
So Corapi thinks that the fact that his co-habitating hooker friend is not the one suing him is a defense of some sort.
I dunno. Every time I have ever been accused of shacking up with a hooker, I didn’t deal with by denying I ever had sex with Olympia Dukakis. If I did, I am pretty sure my wife would figure out the hooker thing.
The woman who complained may be lying about certain elements, who knows? One thing seems certain now. Corapi is a liar and he SHACKED UP WITH A HOOKER FOR YEARS.
July 8, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Imagine Chaucer's Pardoner telling bogus war stories about his time in the Crusades.
July 8, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Pat, I'm a little confused from part of your article. I thought the accuser/former prostitute is the woman he is suing? Is there a second woman involved? It is getting confusing. Can you clarify?
I'm sure Corpai has had sex before his life as he has admitted he led a wild life for a long time. So I'm not surprised he is limiting his denial to promiscuous (part of the letter's allegations) or individual sex with this person only.
July 8, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Sometimes as we grow older we realize the value of not putting people in a situation where we can guess they will lie or equivocate. In part it is the virtue of prudence. I really like this blog, but did not expect the last sentence of the post. After the BSD statement, and this, we have a bit more of the measure of the man. Maybe we can let him work it out.
July 8, 2011 at 2:54 pm
I don't understand where this parsing of Fr. Corapi's comment is coming from. It doesn't read to me like he is referring to a different woman. It sounds like a straightforward denial.
SOLT ordered him back to the community and he said no (or rather, he said nothing but didn't go). I don't really care what else he said or did; that's the telling point. After years of preaching obedience and suffering, he chucked everything. Whatever happened with the man — and I can't believe he went through all the trouble of seminary training and ordination to be a con man — he has gone off the deep end. I hope he swims back or someone throws him a life jacket.
July 8, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@Paul
Do you really want to know how many times I watched or heard any of Father Corapi's sermons? A handful of times. I only started to pay attention to Father Corapi since the allegations occurred.
I can judge SOLT because I have experienced being scapegoated by a prominent Catholic institution (one that is supposed to be truly Catholic and most of the time is) when all I wanted to do was prevent other women from being assaulted like I was so I am not so quick to believe the powers that be like you. After trusting and believing this Catholic institution lies they screwed me. So trusting your superior or the powers that be isn't that cut and dry as you make it seem. When I trusted the people there way too much and when I needed them to not just talk the talk but walk the walk they failed miserably. Like I said I don't know whether he's guilty or innocent but I haven't seen any evidence which proves he is guilty.
July 8, 2011 at 3:43 pm
So, what did BENEDICT XVI have to say to Catholic bloggers a couple months ago? Did he give any advise as to how to address these kind of issues? I wasn't invited (bummer, but I'm not bitter) but I can not believe that he didn't speak about the caution we should use in the blogosphere. Were the Archibald men included in the symposium?
It's just that it is awkward for us regular Catholic joe's to witness this internet fencing match.
July 8, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. (2 Cor 13:11)
July 8, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Y'all need a bit of a reality check.
What information do you all really have about this case?
You have a press release from SOLT making a statement that claims to have supporting facts but excludes them, and some letters/posts/video from Fr. Corapi maintaining his innocence regarding all accusations.
Where are you all getting your opinions? Are you pulling them from thin air? Because none of the opinions I have seen expressed about this case have had any basis in FACT.
I find it rather odd that SOLT would issue their press release the very day they were leaving town for three weeks making them unavailable for further comment.
I also find it odd that Fr. Corapi, a priest with a dubious past and a large body of conservative-leaning work, has left the priesthood, altered his public persona and is refusing his order's requests.
This is all there is to say…why are you all going on like you have answers, when you have nothing but speculation?
How about tackling some real stories?
July 8, 2011 at 4:40 pm
I'd feel so good if Fr. Corapi would say "I categorically deny absolutely every aspect of these accusations. I can't prove a negative but I can offer these alibis, these financial statements, these cell phone records, etc. for all to see as evidence of my innocence." I'm no expert, but I think that's what a truly innocent person would do. Maybe SOLT got a few nubbins wrong, but by and large…or forget it! I'm going to to eat some ice cream right out of the carton.
July 8, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Teresa,
What you, I, Fr. Corapi, or anyone else thinks about the order SOLT gave….. is absolutely irrelevant.
It was a lawful order by one with the authority to command. His agreement, acceptance is not a precondition for his obedience.
Do you think the Catholic faith dies without Corapi? If no, then he has to obey. If anyone answers that in the affirmative, they need to get out more.
I can't say how I'd respond if i were in this situation. I CAN say how St. Pio responded, and pray I would emulate him in that situation. He responded the 100% opposite of Fr. Corapi. Even a liberal like Joseph Cardinal Bernadin showed more class and poise in fighting off false charges (since they were false.)
July 8, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Friar, friar, pants on fire.
And note, you big babies, that disgusting behavior should be mocked. Jesus himself pulled out some pointed zingers for the frauds of his day. Such a thing is educative, just, and a perfect deterrent to make other fools, tempted by hookers, sexting, or a line of blow, THINK TWICE about dragging the Body of Christ through the mud.
Time for EWTN rollcall!
Fr. Kenneth Roberts
Fr. John Bertolucci
Fr. Francis Mary Stone
Fr. Albert Cutie
Msgr. Eugene Clark
Fr. Tom Euteneuer
Fr. John Corapi
Time to pick someone other than smooth-talking pretty-boys with a cult following. Please.
July 8, 2011 at 6:23 pm
"BS Dog"…Very funny, "Fool me once". How funny that it works out so perfectly to describe the persona he's created out of this whole mess.
July 8, 2011 at 6:58 pm
Hold the phone, Blackrep. There's a big difference between Fr. Cutie and Fr. Euteneuer. "Falling" is very different from being a hypocrite and a fraud. In general, though, the Catholic guru thing is a lesson for us all.
July 8, 2011 at 7:30 pm
Point taken Regina. However, I do wish Fr. Cutie didn't "fall" into what seems like cement, never to rise up again. I have more hope for crackhead sexters who shack with prostitutes than Episcopalians, but that's just me.
I am wondering if Cutie is hard at work reimbursing his diocese for four years of seminary training and rectory rent? Chances are no. But, perhaps we can forgive him in light of the cute baby and the stable (hopefully) marriage. I am always a sucker for a cute baby, no matter how it got here.
July 8, 2011 at 7:56 pm
I can judge SOLT because
They have acted in a way you disapprove of. I get it Theresa – if someone you dislike falls from grace, it's a symbol of the weakness of man. However, if someone you like is publicly outed as a sinner, why then there must be some wide-ranging conspiracy, and those bringing forward the allegations must be doing so only due to bad motivation.
July 8, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Good point, Blackrep. There seems to be a pattern here: the scandals didn't become so commonplace until the Bishops took over EWTN. Yeah, the same bishops who prohibited EWTN from televising Ad Orientem masses. I don't recall this doxology of scandal when the EWTN network was run by Mother Angelica. Thank you,Bishops! You're doing a great job destroying the priesthood and the Church.
July 8, 2011 at 9:08 pm
The drug, prostitution, and consorting with other women charges were denied in his lawsuit filed against the accuser, which is a matter of public record:
http://jimmyakin.typepad.com/RedactedCharge.pdf
July 8, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Paul
I would also ask how do you know that the bishops or at least some involved have not fallen from grace? How do you know that they have the best interest of the Church and Father Corapi? How do you know that Father Corapi has fallen from grace? Because of unproven accusations? Leaving the priesthood and still continuing to be a member of the Church doesn't necessarily mean that he has fallen from grace. I haven't seen any proof which backs up their outlandish accusations so therefore I am suspect in their motives in their releasing this public statement of accusations. The burden is on them to prove these allegations just like the burden of proof is on the prosecution to prove their case.
How do you know the name Black Sheepdog is evil, bad, wrongheaded or going to lead you astray? If he abides by Church teachings or teaches the way of Christ and doesn't promote anything that the Church disagrees with like homosexuality, abortion et al. then he will still be leading people toward Christ. I didn't know that it was a must for a person to be a priest or a nun for that person to lead others to Christ. I mean heck there are plenty of nuns and priests that want to change the Church from within by promoting birth control, women priests, and the perverted form of social justice – the nanny state so you can't say just because someone is the superior of an Order that he is a good person. Now, I don't know that he isn't a good person per se either. Power corrupts. I've experienced it and the fact that the Church doesn't have a good record with their being unwilling to stop having a CYA mentality above the best interests of the faithful – example priest sexual abuse crisis – makes me suspect the motives of SOLT. Father Corapi hasn't given me a reason to suspect his motives. He is trying to defend himself.
Did Padre Pio have the internet to contend with? Did he have to contend with priests or bishops who weren't necessarily the most trustworthy as they could be?
Blind obedience is bad.
July 8, 2011 at 9:48 pm
Blind obedience is bad.
Blind celebrity worship isn't much better.
July 8, 2011 at 10:58 pm
Tamra Sexton is the woman