Just another corrupt priest?
At Renew America Catholic reporter Matt Abbott makes a statement about Father John Corapi, who dropped off the radar screen about four years ago after apparently leaving the priesthood.
A bit of good news to share: A reliable source has informed me that Father John Corapi, a popular priest among orthodox Catholics who departed public life after a tumultuous period a few years ago, remains in the priesthood and is re-establishing his spiritual life.
What does this mean? Is father permitted to say Mass or hear Confessions? Is he living in a monastery? At some point will we hear something vindicating Fr. Corapi? Will he return to public life one day? I would have to guess that if he could he would.
There’s no indication he’ll be returning to public life anytime soon, if ever. However, it’s nice to know that Father Corapi can at least be a quiet prayer warrior during this extremely difficult time in the Church and world.
I won’t go into the particulars about what transpired in the past – it’s water under the bridge – and I’m sure there’s information on the Internet (some of it more reliable than other information, obviously) for those who may not be familiar with the situation. Plus, those who really didn’t pay attention to him in the first place likely don’t care one way or the other about his current status.
Father Corapi was very popular. Many thousands were catechized and strengthened through his ministry. He was not politically correct. He was a conservative Catholic and a military man. He was not reluctant to call out his superiors if he thought necessary.
The bottom line is that we all are wounded and spiritually/morally fall often (I know I do!). We just have to try our best to keep moving forward in faith in this “valley of tears.” A very difficult task, I must say. That doesn’t mean condoning moral corruption or remaining silent about it, but we all need God’s mercy.
I’ve never seen anything convincing about the accusations against Fr. Corapi but it isn’t surprising that his own leadership moved against him. That kind of thing happens to faithful and effective Catholics at times. Slander, false accusations, bogus proceedings and judgments. It’s entirely possible. I did however, see an entire Catholic media fall on him based on the internal conclusions. I’m not satisfied that a bishop, a tribunal, and some hearsay are the last word on him. I think few people know what actually happened.
It’s true he acted quite odd and he’s not saying anything. What would you do if your enemies tried to crush everything you’d built and forced you to end your life confined in some facility run by heretics, homosexuals, and cutthroats? He might have been looking at that possibility. I’m not concluding he’s a victim. I’m just saying that it wouldn’t be so unusual if he were.
Do you remember what they tried to do to Fr. Frank Pavone? They said he was guilty of gross financial mismanagement, obfuscation, refusal to cooperate. But when facts became released it just looked like he took on a bit more debt in a bad economy. They sure had a lot of nasty accusations flying about the founder of Priests for Life though, and ahead of big elections. He was skyping from his cell in the Texas desert.
In order for Father Corapi to be a fraud he would have to have been a fraud all along. I can see a man sinking, but he was once faithful priest and a clear thinker. Sin can darken a mind, but it doesn’t easily conquer someone with faith and with a conscience formed like that.