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 9, 2011 at 12:35 am
Congrats Patrick,
You are the new New York Times. Reading things that are not there. What a disgrace your post is.
"I have never had any promiscuous or even inappropriate relations with her."
-Fr Corapi
July 9, 2011 at 1:10 am
Gee… I didn't even realize that he was considered a celebrity priest until the accusations came out. At least I don't believe accusations without any evidence to prove his guilt. God help the defendant if you're ever on the jury.
July 9, 2011 at 1:36 am
At least I don't believe accusations without any evidence to prove his guilt.
At yet you are willing to cast aspersions on SOLT and everyone else based on little or no evidence. It's called hypocrisy.
God help the defendant if you're ever on the jury.
Yeah, using logic and reasoning is such a terrible thing. I suppose you're the type of person who'd let a child murderer walk on a Florida jury.
For the record, I remained unsure about Fr. Corapi's guilt until I read his own words. By his own words he condemned himself.
July 9, 2011 at 1:45 am
"Yeah, using logic and reasoning is such a terrible thing. I suppose you're the type of person who'd let a child murderer walk on a Florida jury."
There ya go casting aspersions. Actually I was ticked off so bad about the verdict. I would have voted to convict her.
"By his own words he condemned himself."
How? Provide evidence.
"At yet you are willing to cast aspersions on SOLT and everyone else based on little or no evidence."
Thank you for admitting that SOLT has provided absolutely NO evidence.
July 9, 2011 at 1:49 am
There ya go casting aspersions
You've done that the entire thread, Teresa, That's my main point. You act all high and mighty about people forming opinions one way on a matter, and then you don't see the hypocrisy of doing the exact same thing to everyone else. I guess if we all had a show on EWTN you'd be more willing to see our point of view.
July 9, 2011 at 3:09 am
So if anyone who has a show on EWTN is ever accused of something you'd believe the accusations just cause he/she was a celebrity? Huh? That just don't make sense!
Many of you are casting aspersions without being shown any proof by SOLT but I have had experience with being scapegoated and that's the difference. I know how it is when people make stuff up just to cover up the truth. Have you ever been scapegoated, in a huge way?
I believe Father Corapi, so far, and you believe SOLT. We'll just have to agree to disagree. Prayers are needed for all concerned. The truth will be revealed sooner or later.
July 9, 2011 at 3:27 am
Guys:
http://tinyurl.com/3uf8lqa
You're welcome.
Max
July 9, 2011 at 3:35 am
Note to all those trying to make the foreknown understand basic humanity 101:
It ain't gonna happen. Folks like Teresa, etc, are just commenting blindly because they cannot understand basic human discernment cues, like "lying repeatedly", "denying guilt", etc,
I particularly chuckled at the person who needed someone to explain why the term "black sheepdog" is inappropriate. This gives us hope. The enemy has many blind spots and so do his followers.
"My sheep know My voice."
The others not only do not know His voice, they lack discernment of evil, often insisting that Christians explain the obvious. It's like explaining the color blue to the blind. Don't bother.
Yvonne
July 9, 2011 at 3:44 am
So if anyone who has a show on EWTN is ever accused of something you'd believe the accusations just cause he/she was a celebrity? Huh? That just don't make sense!
Wow. I didn't think it was possible for you to be even more dense, but you've managed to completely miss the point yet again.
Many of you are casting aspersions without being shown any proof by SOLT but I have had experience with being scapegoated and that's the difference.
So one time you had a bad experience and that automatically means that SOLT is at fault here? Really? You're gonna go with that? Is that your final answer?
July 9, 2011 at 4:28 am
the accuser apparently has 2600 friends on Facebook. that is kind of odd.
July 9, 2011 at 4:37 am
wait her friends include a litany of bishops and other church people. this case could not get any more bizarre.
July 9, 2011 at 5:07 am
Paul Zummo,
If blind obedience is bad, then I guess blind disobedience is bad also? How about, not-so-blind obedience? Is that not-so-bad? Or is obedience just bad all together whether blind or not?
July 9, 2011 at 2:20 pm
In his latest video (which I will not link to), he is now seen once again with that creepy backdrop, but now sporting an even bigger goatee and rocking a harley davidson leather jacket in place of the Roman collar.
I honestly think this entire debate could be silenced if someone skilled at youtube made a video of his days as the humble priest Fr. Corapi, beard and all talking about how important the Sacraments and the priesthood are, to the "Blacksheepdog", absurdly tanned, dyed jetblack goatee and rocking the merchandise of the world. That more than anything would end this discussion.
Given his latest appearance, the man needs prayers. He simply doesn't look healthy at all. It is getting to the point to where the charitable thing to say will be he suffers from diminished faculties, hence is not culpable for all he is doing. The alternative is dreadful.
July 9, 2011 at 5:05 pm
At the risk of sounding like I'm dismissing this whole discussion, I just want to add we are simply watching yet another self-destructive celebrity fall from grace. It happens all the time, and most of us here are old enough to remember dozens of other examples of this sort of thing.
I don't know about other people, but I knew Corapi was "guilty" (whatever that means) from the moment I read his first statement after his disappearance. This is not about some nit-picky adolescent standard of "evidence" or "proof"; some of us have been on this earth long enough to see this sort of pattern for what it is and we don't need DNA samples to know BS when we smell it.
SOLT has issued its constat de non on the Corapi apparitions and from now on there is nothing to see but his inevitable tumble into obscurity, trailing clouds of fanboys (fangirls) behind him.
July 9, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Paul –
First you said this – "Anyone who continues to defend Corapi after this non-denial denial is sadly too heavily invested in a cult of personality."
Then you said this- "Blind celebrity worship isn't much better."
Your the person who brought the issue of being a celebrity or popular person up and the cult of personality up. Then you connected his guilt to being a celebrity priest. So, your the one who has a problem with popular priests, nuns, people etc. who get accused of improprieties etc. Not me. I do not judge based on a person being accused but based on the evidence which has been presented. There has been no evidence presented by SOLT.
I didn't watch EWTN for a period of time when I was really struggling with what happened to me so I didn't pay attention to anyone on EWTN much less Father Corapi who I hadn't even heard of until a couple years ago. It wasn't until a few months ago that I started to pay attention to him.
Since you said this – "By his own words he condemned himself."
Then I asked you this – "How? Provide evidence" -and you refused or couldn't answer me. Persuade me to your side. Or is this just an intuition that you have?
"So one time you had a bad experience and that automatically means that SOLT is at fault here? Really? You're gonna go with that? Is that your final answer?"
Based on my life experiences and dealing with those in power being willing to do pretty much anything to cover their own butts instead of doing the right thing, Yes, that means I suspect that SOLT may not be doing what is in the best interest of Corapi or the Church. At this point in time I see no evidence to the contrary. The timing of their accusations makes me suspicious.
They may have the best interests of the Church or/and John Corapi but I haven't been convinced of that, yet.
My dedication is in defending those who have been falsely accused and at least making sure people get a fair shake in their defense. From my point of view the way that the Church had a reactionary response to the sexual abuse crisis and the way that the investigative process is now a stacked deck against the accused is unjust and wrong. I know that the Church did their best under the circumstances but the policy for when one is accused needs to be revised IMO. John Corapi is not just dealing with that but probably worse IMO.
PAX Paul
July 9, 2011 at 7:51 pm
I do not know nothing about Fr Corapi's private life. I do know that my ex wife told a story about me having sex with another woman. I didn't, but there is no one but God and me who know that to be a fact. How can I PROVE what did not happen? I think Fr. Corapi at best could be in the same box.
July 9, 2011 at 8:03 pm
Is that her son or husband hugging her from behind. He looks 15 years younger
July 9, 2011 at 11:49 pm
Although not a "follower" of Corapi (I've listened to some of his sermons and enjoyed them, but that's about it) I find this whole mess rather heartbreaking, and personally am a bit sickened by all the people who seem to be getting so much pleasure out of it. I'm not saying he should get a pass for any reason at all, or that it's not okay to discuss it, but the unrestrained glee at the situation is a bit much, honestly.
July 10, 2011 at 3:13 am
After reading all these posts, I have to say, Satan is hard at work. Humility, & prayer are needed for all of us!
July 10, 2011 at 4:15 am
Then you connected his guilt to being a celebrity priest.
Clearly reading comprehension is not your thing. My opinion on Corapi's guilt or lack thereof has nothing to do with his celebrity status. It is you who is so starstruck that you can't see beyond his dissembling.
Teresa, I'm sorry, but you're full of it. You made a big show about not "judging," and yet you have decided to be judge, jury, and executioner with regards to SOLT and those that aren't buying Corapi's line, and all because you had a completely unrelated experience. If you can't see how Corapi completely avoided addressing the accusations head on in his "rebuttal," then I have no idea what else to say to you.