The Church should have forced every single case to go to trial in the past, present and future. The truth is more important than protecting assets. We would at least know who was innocent and who was not. Now we have a situation where everyone thinks they can collect without a trial. And the Church has basically adopted a stance that calumnies its own out of fear of the media.

I have just read in St. Faustina’s “Diary” that “When Satan himself can do no harm, he uses people.” Satan surely hates Fr.Corapi who has brought so many souls back to the church and inspired the tepid to put on the armor of God in this terrible spiritual warfare. He has continually warned us that the war would get worse, and so it has, when such a herald of truth and faith is accused.  Satan is trying to destroy our Holy Catholic Church from within, just as Satan revealed to Pope Leo XIII during Mass.  I will say rosaries for Fr. Corapi who is so devoted to Our Blessed Mother.  God help us!

Calumny always does lasting damage. People never forget the lie as quickly as they forget the verdict of innocence. This is terribly sad, and doubly so that this occurs during Lent. I pray the vindication of truth will be revealed before Holy Week begins, and that this can be remembered in everyone’s lives as an example of what damage words can do.

Two things:

1) If the accusation is false, then shame on the accuser.
2) If the accusation is true, then shame on the accused for being so indignant.

While I understand the need for due process, I find it kind of hard to believe that multitudes of people are going to have their feelings about Fr. Corapi ruined by this; many of the ones who would be turned against them are probably people who already hate the Church.

I suppose my big question is, should we not place priests on leave while they’re under investigation?

The Zero tolerance policy that’s engrained in our society is flawed. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? The Media grabs on to every bit of gossip and is guilty of the devil’s work.God help our society!

I am saddened by all of this. Whether it is true or untrue the fact that it is in the news at all makes it all so terrible. Lately it has been one bad story after another. What makes this story so compelling is the sheer magnitude of this person in Catholic circles. What also gets me so angry is the attitude of particular bloggers who are so willing to past judgment based upon their own assessment of the situation. Where is the Christian charity and praying for all involved?

“If the accusation is false, then shame on the accuser.”

Perjury is a crime! If she is mentally ill, then confined treatment would be a recourse.

How often do we hear of vindication of an innocent priest? Or of a false accuser being prosecuted for defamation of character? What’s good for the goose is good for the gander: no matter who it is - justice and just as wide public exoneration in direct proportion to the original false accusation’s press. Ozzie and Harriet baking cookies mis not news - the only “news” the media reports nowadays is blood and deviate attention. If the victims are true - let it come to light. If the victim is no real victim but a liar - let him/her too, come to light. God’s Will be done.

Is it possible that this could have a positive result? If Fr. Corapi is found to be innocent of these charges (and I believe in my heart that he IS), could his notoriety bring to light the absurdity of this “guilty until proven innocent” approach?  Many people will be outraged that he was wrongfully accused and his reputation tarnished. Hopefull Church leadership might re-examine the harshness of this policy, especially since this is not a child who truly needs to be protected from an abuser, but an adult who is already physically removed from the situation. And just as a side note, if this woman thinks she can walk away with some easy money just by accusing Fr. Corapi of impropriety, I think she picked the WRONG priest to mess with!

We are now living in the ‘opinion cycle’. Every Tom Jill and Harry can have their opinion promulgated through social media and also, regrettably talkback presenters, without in any way having to validate what they write.We left the ‘information cycle’ a long time ago when journalism was still a profession and most journalists took pride in their integrity. We have just passed out of the 24 hour news cycle which relied on 30 second bites to grasp our attention.Opinion is not fact and it must be concluded that Satan, the father of lies, is making straight the way to Hell through riding on the back of ignorance in the abscence of any desire to seek knowledge. Come Holy Spirit the one and only advocate of Truth.

Fr. Corapi is an amazing speaker and a great witness to the faith. I hope the accusation is false, and pray that the truth (either way) is determined quickly.
But with all due respect, do we really know that there has been no “due process” prior to his being placed on administrative leave? Was the accusation leveled on Friday and leave enforced on Saturday, or was there an internal process involved that investigated not only the seriousness of the accusation but also the credibility of it?

I am sick, saddened and disgusted not at Fr. Corapi, but at the system. The devil MUST destroy Christianity starting with the Catholic church.

No priest. No Eucharist. 

I refuse to believe Fr. Corapi is guilty of these charges. Scary isn’t it? Just lob a complaint and voila GUILTY !!

Me think something fishy going on here. Fr. C like Mother Angelica MUST be neutered. Mother A unfortunately had a stroke so I bet much sweat was cleared from some brows when that happened. She was POWERFUL !!!  Too powerful for upper management.  Fr. Corapi is too . . . hmmmm

The devil doesn’t care where he infiltrates . . . and its seems he’s entrenched.

Pray for those who were witnessed or evangelised to the Faith by Fr. Corapi. That there faith will not be affected by this, whether true or not.

I agree the entire process is wrong ‘guilty before trial’..

Our priesta are being attacked, no doubt, it is a new form of martyrdom today and the wicked know how to use the system..

More than evil christians are being called in this ‘anti christian climate’ to be what we proclaim to be.. and live the Gospel… only in this way.. can evil be combatted.

Praying for Fr. Corapi in all this… and for all who call themselves christians/catholics..

Every year during this time (Lent) there is always something going on within the Catholic Church. The devil is busy and is on the prowl again. What is done in the darkness shall be brought to light!. I cry shame on the accuser if these accusations are false. The devil is a liar!!

How easy it is to be judge and jury but we claim to be a forgiving people following our Holy Leader Jesus Christ who was accused falsely of all kinds of crimes against both God and man. In today’s reading in Luke we
learn that we will be forgiven in the same measure that we forgive. What we do know is that we are all sinners in need of forgiveness. Father Joseph Mary gives an excellent homily today on EWTN’s mass concerning these verses in Luke on forgiveness.  It would be especially fitting to take to heart these inspired words ...and stop all commenting on this event that is indeed tragic for all. Pray the rosary and ask the Holy Spirit to bring this matter into the Light so that all might be made whole again.  Father Joseph Mary told us that “forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet gives to the heel that crushes it”! Meditate
on that while praying for all concerned….and regardless how this turns out we need the message Father Corapi so eloquently brought to us to continue to be preached…by each and every one of us in our daily lives.
There is a Lenten message here for all of us!

The Holy Spirit is holding Holy Mother Church in a nested Hand.  These are periless times for all Cathoics, but this incident is no more bitter to swallow than what the Church has dealth with in our history.  The power is in us, the Body of Christ.  If we are an enligthened people, then prayer and the Rosary will vindicate.  Father Corapi and all Catholics in The Flock will survive this.  Problems?  Of course…Truth will prevail.  Where is the Faith?  Our Lord has revealed to us our Blessed Mother’s Holy Rosary is the “Last Refuge of Sinners.”

I pray for father in this terrible trial and all our innocent priests.

I think that this is unreal.  Where are the bishops who got the so called letters???????? Some fast action taken by them. Where was the fast action with the small number of priest who were NOT innocent a few years ago???

I know Father Corapi is innocent.   
God will be with him.

I pray that the person confess in public the wrong she did.

I saw Fr. Corapi last year in Cincy.  I have always admired him, but must admit, I left the conference with a different persepctive.  He shared several things that were concerning.  He felt he was being surveilled near his home in Montana, and had pulled a gun on this person to intimidate them.  He then shared that his organization is a “for profit” entity.  He claims he does this to avoid any potential, future IRS suppression of his free speech, but the context of the statement was that he refuses to disclose his revenue/profit from what he does.  He made these statements in front of thousands of people.  And lastly, he spent the bulk of the day hammering the government.  I am no fan of the policies of the Administration or the Congress, but the WAY in which he did it was shocking.  When I saw this article, it did not surprise me.  I pray for Fr. Corapi.

How sad it is. Let’s hope that all these charges are false and Fr. Corapi will regain his reputation and continue to bring souls to the Lord.
If these accusations go back to prior Fr. Corapi becoming a priest (we all know his past ) why the Bishops acted like this? We hope for the thruth to come out and that Fr. C will be vindicated.

From 1924 to 1931 the Holy See made various statements denying that the happenings in the life of Padre Pio were due to any divine cause.  (very publicly) At one point, he was prevented from publicly performing his priestly duties, hearing confessions and saying Mass etc…ultimately all accusations were found to be without merit.  Fr John makes a lot of bad Catholics very uncomfortable.  Unless he is one of the best actors to come along in decades I belive him to be innocent…he now becomes as Archbishop Fulton Sheen said the “Priest Victim” suffering for the Church…I hope he sets an example for all of us to follow. Jesus, Maria and Joseph, ora pro nobis +JMJ

Bob, did you know I see priests all the time with dyed hair?  I think it is vain too, but not enough to say, “I knew something was wrong with Fr. Corapi, when he started to dye his beard.”

O…. what did you mean by, “cluck,cluck,cluck”, that all priests that are accused are guilty?  A book could be written on those accused and were innocent, yet after being accused, that “cloud” of doubt followed/follows them.  Many cases are just “settled” now, and the priest does not have a chance to prove innocence, to “save face”.

I, too, do not know if he is innocent.  With his background, it is easy to accuse him of these things. BUT I refuse to assume he is guilty.  There should be a process taken care of w/o going public, so that the priest an remain innocent until proven guilty, as this is the same privilege we citizens have.

I pray that if this woman is falsely doing this, she recants, but if she does not, and is accusing falsely, she should be jailed.

Christ’s peace.

There are several indicia in Fr. Corapi’s statement that lead me to believe that the accusations are false, based on my firm’s defense of such matters.  First, made by former employee - why weren’t the allegations made while employed, if true?  There are protections for employees making complaints.  Second, why is she a former employee?  Third, if she were fired, is this revenge?  Fourth, the letter was sent to several bishops.  When one goes outside the proper channel and makes scattershot accusations, it’s almost always a headcase seeking revenge and extortion.  Fifth, have the other women joined the accuser as co-accusers?  These are just some of the questions triggered by Fr. Corapi’s website statement and perhaps they’re echoed elsewhere.  The scary part is some of the comment posters on this site are eligible to vote and serve on juries, while manifestly unfit to do so.  I know I should be merciful, especially in light of today’s Gospel, but some of you are headcases yourselves.  May God have mercy on your deranged minds.  That’s not to say Fr. Corapi is innocent, but some of you surely are guilty of much - dying hair as an indicia of guilt?  Wow.

Charisma does not equal guilt OR innocence. Fr. Corapi is a great speaker but that is all I know about him. I doubt these charges are true, and I pray that they aren’t true, but Fr. Corapi seems damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t—he proclaims his innocence indignantly, and people say he protests too much and is obviously guilty. But if he simply said nothing, people (many of the same people) would say he was obviously guilty because what innocent man wouldn’t deny guilt?

Our laws are supposed to protect the innocent but these days, especially as far as priests are concerned, they punish the innocent. Some bishops protected the guilty; now they are all afraid to protect the innocent. But at the same token, no one should want to ignore guilt when it is really there. That’s what is so pernicious about this whole thing. The best we can do is to be just to Fr. Corapi and demand that the courts and the Church be just to him as well. None of this “administrative leave until death” garbage—which actually happened in my diocese to one priest accused of something that supposedly happened decades ago. He protested his innocence until he died, and then the diocese decided to close the case because he was dead. So much for his good name and for decades of his life.

@jjmucr: Most interesting comment and highly observant..especially worth noting is what you point out as “scattershot accusations” being made “outside the proper channels” indicating a “headcase seeking revenge and extortion”! Many of the other observations also seem to urge and lead
one to lean more toward Father C’s innocense. And yet, if one
were to read and take seriously the comments made by steve, one would definitely lean the other way, more toward a possibility of either mental instability or paranoia that could possibly have led Father toward committing some or all of his accusor’s actions. Either way, we are led to making a judgment.. which is not in keeping with the gospel message we
are supposed to be living…let alone the conviction held by most people that one is innocent until proven by a court of law to be guilty. Thus it would seem our time would be better spent praying…instead of commenting to no useful avail. As for the hair dye? and the perpetual tan ..and the
extreme change in Father’s appearance over the last few years? I don’t think that those superficialities are germaine here other than to say
that we all have vanities that would be embarrassing to have to explain publically. Let us turn to prayerfully requesting a speedy outcome to this latest trial in this priest’s life!

None of us know about Fr. Corapi’s guilt or innocence, so people should lay of the conjecture either way.

Meanwhile, we should THANK GOD of the message that this man has brought to us all for so long.  His message has been TRUTH.  So that is what we should cling to.

About a week ago I was listening to him and I thought to myself, “Uh oh”  this guy is surely in trouble - meaning the Devil is going to be in his face swinging for the fences, either through persecutions, temptations, or both.

Yesterday I thought, I ought to write him an Email and let him know that he is going to be a target (assume he knew already of course) and that he will be in the prayers of my family. 

I think I just sort of did that.  Fr. Corapi has said many times that our best weapon against evil is the Rosary, so we should ALL be saying it for him.  I will. 

May God help him, and may God continue to bring the message of Christ to all.

MEDIA REQUEST: For Pat Archbold of National Catholic Register

Pat, you are invited to be on the “Religion, Politics & the Culture” radio show today, Monday, to discuss this article. The show airs on AM 1040 WLVJ at 3:30 pm EDT in southeast Florida and can also be heard on the Internet at www.rpconradio.com. Please either call me with your response at 305-342-8930 or email to rpconradio@yahoo.com. Thanks for your consideration of this invitation.
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Please read Genesis 39. Joseph, the Patriarch was falsely accused and thrown into prison. God used even that for Joseph, himself,to save his family, ultimately for even our good. We do need to pray for the whole situation and for the truth to come out completely. It’s nothing new.

Each and every one of us will have to answer to Jesus, now or when it is to late. May God have mercy on all of us, especially those that attack our priests, even if they might be quilty. It is not our place to judge, but to love and pray for them as our Lady keeps telling us.

The other employees strength of testimony, I would think, would help him alot.

I have experienced this.  The priest who removed me on false accusations by two women took 10 years to finally realize the truth. I was exonerated but people who quickly believe something about somebody already dislike that person to begin with.  And it takes much longer for people to realize the truth about someone, taking many, many years. 

There is a book out called, Wounded Workers—Recovering from Heartache in the Workplace and the Church’ by Kirk E. Farnsworth, this destructive malignment of those in church service experiencing the same thing in many denominations. Some call the accusers, ‘clergy killers’.

To focus on scandal and believe falsehoods about somebody has blame just as the one who created the scandal or calumny. People who want to listen to gossip and falsehoods are just about equal to the person creating it.

When the Church ecclesiastics treat a case like this by suspending the priest or other church workers, the suspended is already marked.  And subsequently again the Church is siding with the abuser, this time the false accuser.

I would like to believe that he is not guilty, but I will probably never know. It’s interesting someone pointed out about how he dyed his beard. Not sure if it’s a good reason, but it was one of the things that caused me to lose interest in him for a while. It just looked vain and bad (the tanned skin and dark beard. After learning a little about St. Gerard, I think it might have been better if Fr. Corapi didn’t defend himself. People will just believe what they believe. If he is indeed innocent, then it would just be more grace and humility for him to deal with the calumny committed against him quietly.

It seems “the Church” did not expose him; he decided to post the reasons for taking a break on his website himself. When all accusation of wrongdoing is made, it needs to be taken seriously and looked into because that is the right thing to do. During that, it is not unreasonable, based on the information available to his superior, that he would be asked to go on administrative leave. That allows time to look more deeply and gives him time to deal with the stress of an accusation if it is false. During this phase, it’s not always true there would be public condemnation of a man. Here, HE DECIDED TO DO IT TO HIMSELF. The fact he did that and then blamed others suggests the time off might be a good thing and raises flags in my mind that maybe there is something to it. I hope not, but you never know. Either way, prayers are needed for all involved.

I must add that there is a Canon 1390 under the Crime of Falsehood in the Sanctions section of Canon Law.

Can. 1390—1.  One who falsely accuses a confessor before an ecclesiastical superior of the offense mentioned in can. 1387 (confessor having penitent sin against 6th commandment) incurs an automatic (latae sentientiae)interdict; and if a cleric, also a suspension.
        2.  One who furnishes an ecclesiastical superior with any other calumnious denunciation of an offense or who otherwise injures the good reputation of another person can be punished with a just penalty; even including a censure.
        3.  A calumniator can be coerced also to make suitable reparation.

The Church needs to inforce Canon Law against those who bear false witness towards a priest or anyone in the Church.  They do the damage and then the opposite happens, they are justified.

We have had the same thing happen to a very good priest in our area.  Although the allegations were dropped by the police and and the bishop knows it, the priest is still not allowed to be in active ministry, this priests life and name is tainted forever.  Personally, if a person is going to accuse someone then they should have to stand up and reveal themselves.  It appears that we are speaking about adults, not minors in this situation.  Everyone seems to be able to accuse but no one is being held accountable for their actions whether in words, actions or thoughts.  Prayers go out for everyone involved.

Father Coropi, I met you a few years ago @ St.Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Colorado. You are a man of GOD & for GOD. I am keeping you in extra daily. Remember Isaiah 54:17. PaxChristi, Susanna

At the height of the sex scandal, our priest was accused. A very gentle soul, he was removed from his pastorial duties and denied the ability to serve Mass. Our entire congregation donated funds for his defense. It turned out that the time frame during which he was accused in ,he wasn’t even in the U.S. but abroad. The pain that he and his loved ones went through was so great and he lost his Parish forever since he was never returned to us.

Hoping for the best in this upsetting situation. We don’t need anymore scandals in the Church—however we must remember that the devil is on a rampage to win as many souls as he can before his time runs out.

My heart is saddend by this vicious accusations against Fr. Corapi. I have been watching Fr. Corapi for years his preaching has made such a difference in my life and I have recommended Fr. C. programs to all who would liste. I will continue to suupport Fr. Corapi and , hope fully With the help of “my weapon” , THE HOLY ROSARY!! I can help him carry his CROSS. Father , remember, why evil is permitted by God, For the greater good! I hope this guilty until… Has a very short life. God and His Blessed Mother bless you and comfort you.

Please note—any comments impugning anybody’s reputation will be deleted.

Fr. Corapi is under attack by the devil and as Fr. reminds us regularly, he is very real. We know how to fight the devil, The Holy Rosary. Please pray it often for Fr. Corapi. The Devine Mercy Chaplet is also a must!! We will win with prayers. We should never stop our prayers, we can’t fail. Hopefully very soon we will be Saying our prayers in thankisgiving.

Catholics, we can not take this lying down. We need to peacefully object to the decision to place Fr. Corapi on leave. This can be done by contacting his order, the Society of our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity or SOLT. They are in Texas, and the superior needs to hear that we find this guilty until proven innocent policy highy problematic. Like Fr. Corapi has taught us well, we need to put on our combat boots and know we are at war….

I don’t think it would be a “scandal” if someone weakened by illness and under duress relapsed to the things which once gave him comfort.
Sad? Yes. Shocking? No.
We should pray for his vindication or recovery while remaining adults respectful of the power of addictive substances, even years after getting clean.

Welcome to the world of conservative Republicans, Fr. Corapi, where simply innuendo can smear an entire group of people with no evidence from such sources as even the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  If the bishops can smear you, anybody can.  And then there are those individual human lives of decent people that are targeted like judge Bork, and Clarence Thomas in their Senate confirmation hearings for the U.S. Supreme Court, and most recently, Sarah Palin, who are character assassinated by those in the media and the opposition party who fear the success such individuals may have if elevated to positions of higher power.

Fight on, Father, there are many means of communication now that are available that never existed as short as 15 years ago that enable you to get the truth out.  Thank God for the Internet.

I’m a latecomer in learning about Fr Corapi-this is the first year Ive been fortunate enough to watch EWTN. Close to a year ago a dear friend sent me a DVD featuring Fr. Corapi preaching on the meaning of the cross and redemptive suffering.  It was absolutely tremendous-I felt it down to the very essence of my being.  Now he’s no longer on EWTN and I feel like I’ve lost a special spiritual mentor even if only through DVD and TV.  No other preacher seems to be as soul deep as Fr. Corapi.  His outward appearance is unimportant; his message, that of the Gospel is what matters.  My heart goes out to him and others who suffer and have suffered this kind of pain. Yes, pray the rosary!

When the accusations against Fr. Marcel, the LOC founder were brought forward several years ago, I noticed many “red flags” that made me pause. When I hear the current accusations against Fr. Corapi, I don’t notice those same “red flags” in the news story. Perhaps I am biased in that I never met the first priest, but Fr. Corapi blessed my 3rd child when the parish priest would not baptize her because my husband was deployed in the Persian Gulf. Such a holy man, in my mind, could not be guilty of such scandalous things.

Enough is enough already…Anyone can make an accusation against a priest and the Church caves in and quietly reaches a deal with the accuser..The Church needs to assert it’s rights to due process for it’s own priests and religious and insist on an open trial in a Court where the priest can face his accuser and all the facts of the case are presented and heard by a jury or a three judge panel…Not protecting the rights of the priest is a grave injustice to that priest as well as all other priests and religious..In Fr.Corapi’s case i’d like to see the Thomas More Legal Center defend him to clear his name as i believe he is an innocent man who is being wrongfully accused..

I just find it weird that for such a reputedly holy person he bears “false” accusation so poorly.  You would think he would express some concern for the Body of Christ and the poor woman who was a liar or crazy (that’s what he’s claiming she is), along with a certain amount of peace if he were indeed living the truth.  Me thinks he doth protest too much.

Update, I called the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity this morning and talked to the receptionist. She said it was the bishop of Corpus Christi, who I believe is Bishop Mulvey, who has put him on leave. I also called Father’s website number and confirmed that his live event this weekend the 26th has been canceled. That is all I have found out. That being said, I’m convinced that Father Corapi is telling the truth and all of these allegations are false. He has had a huge impact on my faith and I trust him. Just keep praying for Father Corapi and all our priests as they are under attack. Most importantly trust God and remember that Mary will take care of one of her most loyal sons Father Corapi.

God Bless

Fr. Corapi has helped me so much in my spiritual journey. The process is geared to the European idea that you are guilty until proven innocent, and that offends our sensitivities as Americans. (When one is tried in the media, it’s often the same result)  Of all people, Fr. Corapi knows where he’s been and he admits it openly how he sinned in the past. No skeletons in the closet there!  I will pray for him.

And to “play devil’s advocate”: Lucifer wouldn’t choose an area where we aren’t weak or haven’t sinned before because it could easily be shown to be his evil work. He chooses the thorniest areas of our lives to shame and discredit us, which is all the more reason why we need to support Fr. Corapi.

Blackrep, I completely disagree with your post. Also, in Father Corapi’s statement he closed with ” All of the allegations in the complaint are false, and I ask you to pray for all concerned.” For some reason the author of this article left this out.

the priest in Reno NV that converted me, Fr. Bowling, had been a priest for over 50 years when his whole KY diocese came against a class action lawsuit against all the clergy who had been there at the time… Fr. Bowling had zero allegations in Reno for years and years… then the front page news of the class action hit Reno… Then a few women started making unfounded accusations… Fr Bowling had cancer at the time… He said unfortunately the church “settled” and he never to got to meet his accusers in court to “clear” his name on earth before he graduated to heaven…  The Lord’s Prayer given to us by JESUS mentions.. FORGIVE those who trepass against us… not accuse ...  I do a special single food fast and prayer for priests… to help them lead priest away from temptations… no chocolate for the past 6 years… Check out on the net, the orthodox monastery near Jericho… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery_of_Temptation   In 1895, the monastery was constructed around a crude cave chapel that marks the stone where Jesus sat during his fast.  When the Crusaders invaded the area in 1099, they built two churches on the site: one in a cave half way up the cliff and the second one on the summit.[1] They referred to the site as “Mons Quarantana” (from Quaranta meaning forty, the number of days in the Gospel account of Jesus’s fast).  The earliest monastery was constructed by the Byzantines in the 6th century CE above the cave traditionally said to be that where Jesus spent forty days and forty nights fasting and meditating during the temptation of Satan.

the priest in Reno NV that converted me, Fr. Bowling, had been a priest for over 50 years when his whole KY diocese came against a class action lawsuit against all the clergy who had been there at the time… Fr. Bowling had zero allegations in Reno for years and years… then the front page news of the class action hit Reno… Then a few women started making unfounded accusations… Fr Bowling had cancer at the time… He said unfortunately the church “settled” and he never to got to meet his accusers in court to “clear” his name on earth before he graduated to heaven…  The Lord’s Prayer given to us by JESUS mentions.. FORGIVE those who trepass against us… not accuse ...  I do a special single food fast and prayer for priests… to help them lead priest away from temptations… no chocolate for the past 6 years… Check out on the net, the orthodox monastery near Jericho…  Monastery_of_Temptation   In 1895, the monastery was constructed around a crude cave chapel that marks the stone where Jesus sat during his fast.  When the Crusaders invaded the area in 1099, they built two churches on the site: one in a cave half way up the cliff and the second one on the summit.[1] They referred to the site as “Mons Quarantana” (from Quaranta meaning forty, the number of days in the Gospel account of Jesus’s fast).  The earliest monastery was constructed by the Byzantines in the 6th century CE above the cave traditionally said to be that where Jesus spent forty days and forty nights fasting and meditating during the temptation of Satan.

And well he should decry the de-facto policy placing priests on leave because of an accusation.  The U.S. Constitution and Canon Law hold a person innocent until proven guilty.

The bishops and provincial superiors need to stand-up for their priests, deacons, religious, and lay people.  Indeed, Canon Law states, “A bishop must defend his priests.”  When are we going to see some leadership and courage from our bishops instead of cowardice?

I say Spiritual Warfare prayers are needed! And I say this is bigger than all of us. Someone needs to follow the money trail as well as finding out who may “put” this woman up to this. Many in the Church do not want to heed the Truth that Father Corapi urgently advises us to seek, follow , and defend. Look at the number of priests who do not support or attend his talks. Where are they? And will they now take his place?  Look at the bigger picture and again Pray!!

Now I KNOW that Fr. Corapi is a living Saint! All the great Saint’s have experienced this type (or similar), of persecution ... didn’t Padre Pio & St. John Bosco go through this as well???

God is forgiving and merciful.

I certainly do not believe the slanderous accusations against Fr. Corapi.  The rights of the Priest need to be protected but Jesus was also accused falsely.  St. Pio also underwent severe injustice and false accusations.  Fr. John Corapi is a truthful Priest.  Accusations can so easily be made towards Priests now…and we need to pray more for our Priests and help them. Blessed are those who are persecuted for the Lord’s sake….We also need to pray for those people who slander Priests and this woman in particular, as it is a grave sin to do such a thing.

Fr. corapi has a right to defend"the truth” and to let his “congregation’ know what occurred.  He should say why he can no longer preach. 
There is naivete in the lay community about how false accusations are being handled in the Church.
There are many holy and good priests who have been “slaughtered” by the evil of calumny and because they have not said anything publicly WE DO NOT KNOW about it. Their lives and the priesthood confered on them has suffered a white martyrdom for the rest of their lives… even if vindicated they are never put back into active ministry

The Church hierarchy are letting their priests be slaughtered to be politically correct, fearing law suits, criticisms etc.  They lack courage. They are acting on the advise of attorneys to “settle” and put their priests on the streets. They are making a similar mistake they made with the real priest sexual predators… they listened to the psychologists who knew little at the time about sexual predators. Their advise was wrong… they should have listened to THE LORD…

now any accusation without proving false or innocent your gone… there is no reinstatement. They are protecting themselves and fearing not trusting in GOD.  They willfully ignore tribunals on these accusation because its easier to put the innocent priest OUT on the street and ruin him in a nonchalant fashion.. “Oh he’s gone..good we dont have to deal with this”.

Faher knows… these cases are under dust until the priest is dust himself”

Forgive us FATHER, for weknow what we are doing.

This is just wrong.. wrong doing….

This is the NEW WAVE of evil putting our priests OUT and with the apporoval of OUR church.

FR. Corapi knows this… is a hero andis putting this wrongdoing out their and as a result bringing it the attention of fellow Catholics who do not know the numbers of other holu priests who are suffering silently.

GOD BLESS FR Corapi….placing you and all your felow innocent priests under HER Mantle.

This is a form of fratricide.  Our Bishops willbe accountable some day.

Father is correct, there is no due process for these innocent priests, of which I know Fr. Corapi is innocent.

We have to be careful of calling people Saints while they are still alive…the greatest Saints despised this and the closer they got to God the more they saw how sinful they were….Fr. Corapi is a good Priest but nobody is a Saint until they get home to Heaven…

I do not believe a single word of this, this is such a holy man.  The father of lies is sure busy and any true catholic in true standing and knows Fr. Corapi will not believe this.  mary ann

Only God, Father Corapi, and his accuser know for sure whether Father is innocent or guilty, but as we continue this Lenten season, as Christians we must remember that Jesus was welcomed into the city on Palm Sunday by a crowd who wanted to make Him king, and we all know how Holy Week turned out.
Jesus was falsely accused, betrayed, crowned with thorns, scourged at the pillar, beaten, spat on, cursed, mocked and crucified to atone for the sins of mankind. We are called to join in His suffering at times of trial or hardship and offer ourselves up with Him to atone even for the sins of others. (Genocide, abortion, murder, prostitution, drug and alcohol abuse,etc.)Jesus prayed for His Father to forgive His accusers and we need to pray for everyone.  In the end it doesn’t matter whether Father’s reputation is recovered or not, this worldly life is NOT where we are called to be, and God’s opinion is the only one that matters.

Well, if the letters were sent to some undisclosed bishops it would appear that they notified the order and left it up to them for the “internal investigation”.  The bishops probably don’t wish any more publicity themselves esp. if there is no necessity for criminal investigation.

Jesus died for all men to get to heaven. Let us pray for Father John Corapi to have the strength to overcome the attacks of the devil and by his trial renew our judicial process with the Rule of Law and due process

Tittle-tattle is no basis for a suspension in any occupation or vocation, and in almost no other situation would this happen.  This is an attack on the Church.

@d. Salsman

Remember Norma McCorvey, “Roe” in Roe v Wade, which unleashed abortion-on-demand in our country, said she lied in her court case about abortion which eventually went up to the Supreme Court.

Also, Anita Hill’s testomny in the Clarence Thomas Senate hearings on his confirmation to the Supreme Court that he said to her, a long time, close employ of his, ““Who has put pubic hair on my Coke?”  That was leaked to the press from Thomas’ FBI file and when made public resulted in the Democrats having three days of hearings just on that, alone, when all the feminist groups became “outraged” by his alleged comment.  This may or may not have been said by him but it was so insignificant that it should never have been a reason to hold any hearings concerning it.  But that is what happens when evil has its way with people.

The accuser has already won.  We know the name of the accused, but the accuser slinks around unnamed. That, in itself, is unfair.  The world is the devil’s workshop!

Posted by Eileen1 on Monday, Mar 21, 2011 11:19 AM (EDT):It seems “the Church” did not expose him; he decided to post the reasons for taking a break on his website himself. When all accusation of wrongdoing is made, it needs to be taken seriously and looked into because that is the right thing to do. During that, it is not unreasonable, based on the information available to his superior, that he would be asked to go on administrative leave. That allows time to look more deeply and gives him time to deal with the stress of an accusation if it is false. During this phase, it’s not always true there would be public condemnation of a man. Here, HE DECIDED TO DO IT TO HIMSELF. The fact he did that and then blamed others suggests the time off might be a good thing and raises flags in my mind that maybe there is something to it. I hope not, but you never know. Either way, prayers are needed for all involved.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

One possibility I think, unlike a lot of speechless clergy, Fr. C. has been around the block a few times - like his confronting of the medical heart procedure scammers with all the threats that that included - he recognizes that once the rumor mongering begins with headlines and speculation and all the time that stuff can grow during the “internal investigation” the reputation gets tarnished beyond recovery UNLESS you personally confront it right in the beginnning and get your own defense out there.  And it doesn’t appear that his order silenced him from doing just that.  It’s unfortunate that so many bishops and clergy in general follow the well worn path of appeasement in order to just keep things quiet and pretend that suffering unjustly in some cases is somehow something to be applauded as humility.  Mainly it’s unjust because all good priests suffer over and over again everytime there is a publicized new accusation and it’s never clear what the outcome was.

“DETRACTION”

“Detraction is the depriving of another of his good name unjustly by revealing a truth.  Despite the fact that the information disclosed is true, no one has the right to ruin another’s reputation as long as it has been maintained.  The degree of the seriousness of the sin of detraction, of course, depends on the harm done to the person detracted and the intent of the speaker.  Restitution as far as possible must always be made.  There are a few exceptions, however, to the sin of detraction: if the disclosure is necessary to the common good; if a third party must be protected; if it is for the correction of the guilty party.”  Catholic Bible, Encyclopedic Dictionary

I would like to make my comment about Fr. Corapi.  I do not believe this at all, Fr. Corapi is a very holy and devout priest and stands up for the teaching of the church, which I would like to see many other priest do so.  the father of lies is very busy these days and likes to pick on the very holy priest just like they did and still do about our very devout Cardinal Burke who also defends the chruch in its teaching.  Mary ann

I am very sorry to hear this news, and am very skeptical about these kinds of charges.  Case in point: a case in my parish.

In the late 90s Fr A was accused of inappropriate behavior by a parishoner.  An investigation ensued, and Fr A was cleared of ALL charges. Fr A was did good work.  He was always available for his parishoners. He went back to work as a pastor of a parish, not ours.  In early 2000, our then archbishop, a politician of the highest kind, reopened all cases of accusations, including Fr A’s, even though he had been cleared.

Long story short, after over TWO years of investigation, Fr A was told to leave the priesthood.  He is now a lay person who can participate in limited parish activities.

This is the human wreckage left by accepting these charges as truth.

I don’t believe those accusations at all.  I only believe that God will bless the Church through those persecutions and will bless Father Corapi as well in this cross. It is sure that bad people thought about this strategy to accuse priests of false things. Some people with a lot of power doesn’t want the culture to be a culture of life, so they are afraid. They want to keep their power. God bless Father Corapi.

My goodness, where if everyone’s faith? If he is innocent, and must bear this cross, so be it.  God will help him in the end. If he is not, he will suffer the consequences. Either way, God is in charge. His Will be done.

I hope that the investigation is conducted with greater can than was used to draft the statement.  I hate to be picky . . . well, actually, I LOVE being picky . . . but “Cannon” law?  Really?  There’s only one “n” in the word, unless they’re going to shoot him out of a cannon.

In addition, there were a variety of typos.  Sloppiness makes me Nnervous.

I find Fr. Corapi’s statement to be strange and unsatisfying.  First, why the “accusing me of everything from ... to ...” construction regarding the allegations?  Why not state clearly what is being alleged and refute it point by point?  It seems he is leaving wiggle room for when the second shoe drops…

Second, I think he is !@#$% prematurely about the process.  I would think, for starters, he would welcome a “process” which could potentially clear his name.  Also, he states the process goes forward whether or not the complaint is deemed credible.  However, his superior seems to have indicated the complaint IS credible and worth refuting.

Lastly, Fr. Corapi lists illicit drug use as one of the complaints.  However, his superior says none of the complaints involve illegal activity.

Hello? Isn’t drug use illegal?

Father Corapi pulled himself from the gutter through the grace of God. He now speaks with such fervor from the heart about the battle we are all in against satan.I believe in his innocence 100% (until shown otherwise) and I pray for him as he goes through this trial. Father Corapi is a very smart man and he knows all to well what is occurring here. He also knows to offer it all up to our Lord who was also falsely accused and then suffered and died for our sins.

Dear Father Corapi.I love you and i dont beleave any of those evil accusations.As always Our Blessed Mother will defend you because you are a good faitful servant,and she know how much we need you.For peaple who accused other wrongly should be prosecuted and be fine for damaging their reputation.I pray more than ever for precious priets.God bless you.May St Michael defend you in COMBAT.

Just a thought…I am a retired Army CID Special Agent and a formerly Certified Polygraph Examiner.  When this kind of thing surfaces why not offer the priest and the complainant the opportunity to take a polygraph exam.
Just might be the way to go.

“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”  Fr. Corapi was a wonderful gift to the Sacramento, CA area where he preached and taught class helping hundreds of us to understand the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

He is gifted, he is intelligent, he is humble and Fr. Corapi has now been given another cross to bear for Our Savior. I would wish to be a Simon, and with my prayers help him to carry this cross. Anyone else out there willing to help? Or are you just prepared to fling stones at a Roman Catholic priest in his hour of agony?

“Who steals my purse steals trash; ‘tis something, nothing;
‘Twas mine, ‘tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed.”

Othello, III.iii

In all the cases I’ve heard of where priests were placed on administrative leave, the bishop or superior announced that accusations were made which were found to be “credible”. That was not the case here however. The superior just said “We have received an allegation that Father Corapi has behaved in a manner unbecoming of a priest and are duty-bound to conduct an investigation in this accusation.” The implication seems to be that upon hearing an accusation of any kind (be it utterly credible or utterly incredible) the immediate response is to place the accused on administrative leave. That certainly loads the dice against the accused and leaves him pretty defenseless against anyone vindictive enough to want to ruin his reputation. I am not saying that is what happened here. Only time can tell that. I am saying that the system that leaves someone so vulnerable to attack needs amending.

Also the phrase “unbecoming of a priest” is unfairly vague. It could mean anything from murder down to losing one’s cool and using foul language in public. The superior in question must have a better idea than that of what the allegation is and he certainly should have stated it.

Many people here are sure quick to defend this guy. Based on what? He says all the right things from the pulpit? He has such a holy demeanor? He consecrates the Eucharist? He really tells it like it is? So what. This describes most of the priests who were later discovered to be child molesters. Don’t set yourselves up for embarrassment. I’m not saying he’s probably guilty, but I’d caution against taking a strong stance either way. We should all back away and let the process work itself out. His superiors are on top of things. They’ll get to the bottom of it. If he’s found innocent, we can rejoice; if guilty, we can shake our heads at yet another disappointment.

I don’t agree with Fr. Corapi about everything he teaches, but his name ought not have been tarnished without VERY credible allegations brought to his superiors.  It does not look as if they have that.  Whatever way this comes out, I appreciate that he asked for prayer for EVERYONE involved.  It is refreshing.  As a rule, clerics only ask for prayer for themselves, and their brother-priests.  For men that are to be “other-centered” it always seemed selfish to me.  Fr. Corapi specifically asked for prayer for EVERYONE.  That is good.  I think all of us need to suspend speculation (and judgment one way or the other) until all the facts come out, and do as Fr. Corapi asked, and pray for everyone.

I pray he isn’t guilty, and if he is he needs all our prayers.  One thing that bothers me is that EWTN pulled his program. I thought they would at least play reruns, but took his program off altogether. That doesn’t look good for Father Corapi.

Hail Mary…

This is exactly like the witch-hunt of the 80’s, day-care centers.  Many, many day-center owners were accused, their businesses closed and the charges were eventually found to be baseless.  Oops, too bad your business is destroyed. Sorry about that.

Back to priests, there really are a lot of sheep out there. Just because a priest is accused, doesn’t mean he is guilty. Just because he is convicted, doesn’t mean he is guilty.  Google Father Gordon MacRae. And pray for Father Corapi.

Bob,

Different priests, different bishops. The spineless bishops that did nothing help set up the environment for the spineless bishops who now find it’s just easier to cast aside a good and faithful servant.  The problem used to be 100% tolerance. The pendulum has swung totally in the opposite direction with zero tolerance. Neither is right.

Regarding EWTN, they will be faithful to whatever process the Church calls for. I suspect that is the reason for pulling his programming. If he is cleared, I suspect the shows will come back up again quickly. If EWTN didn’t follow this approach and he is guilty, they would then be accused of responding too slowly etc. It is a no win situation.

Praying for all…

I believe Fr. Corapi and I will pray that he will be cleared of all accusations and hopefully return to us.  We need some one who is not afraid to tell the “in your face truth” about being a Catholic. 

Fr. Corapi is well respected because he has seen both sides of life and has chosen to answer the call to follow Jesus fully.  We must remember the Mantle of Mary surrounds Fr. Corapi.  So we should pray the Most Holy Rosary for his continued protection and exoneration as well as his accuser.  Please also keep Fr. Corapi’s mother in your prayers as well.
Many of you know how long she prayed for her son.  Also when he was at his lowest before Fr. Corapi began his journey to become a priest, his mother said “just pray a Hail Mary a day.”  Mary’s Miracles!

So get those Rosaries prayed so we can “offer them up for Johnny” for Fr. John Corapi and his mother.

Fr. Corapi said that one of the accusations was drug addiction. Doesn’t that rise to the level of criminal conduct if one is using drugs illegally? His superior said that none of the accusations rise to the level of criminal conduct. I don’t get it.

I am praying for Fr. Corapi every day.

According to Fr. Corapi, the accuser accuses him of having “mulitiple sexual exploits” with HERSELF!  What kind of woman is this???  She has “sexual exploits” with him allegedly, then writes letters to more than one Bishop to accuse HIM of doing this? We have a right to know HER name, and scrutinize HER along with her accusations.  If SHE is telling the truth, SHE should feel secure that the “truth” is behind her.  Whatever the truth is, SHE is a grievous sinner!!!  She has either had “sexual exploits” with a PRIEST with no intention of protecting HIS VOW of celibacy, (say “NO” woman!), OR she is a dispicable liar who has destroyed the reputation of a holy priest.  Fr. Corapi is potentially innocent.  She is GUILTY either way.  Stop protecting her!  If what she says is true, did she become jealous of the “other women” and then go public?  She sounds like a very ugly woman indeed, no matter how one slices this.
Unfortunately, we are so used to named priests turning out to be guilty of these sorts of things, that I myself now have the seed of doubt planted in my mind, and I wish it was not. Fr. Corapi, I choose to believe in your innocence and pray for you and the grievous SINNER!

We know the accused. Shouldn’t we also know the accuser? It seems she wants 7 pages worth of credibility. I’m wondering why she didn’t call a press conference?

Father Corapi is innocent and don’t forget, “his Mama wears combat boots” people…...

The closer we get to God, the greater the attacks on us by satan, but also the greater the graces we receive from God to resist those attacks. Fr. Corapi is human like all of us, subject to falling. However, considering where he has been in his life, he is all to well aware of the snares of satan, and he is also very much aware of what is at stake. I fully believe in his innocence regarding these satanic driven attacks on him and I pray for him every day to stay the course on his path to God.

Dear friends of Fr. Corapi, We all , I believe want to do all we can to help Fr. Corapi through this living nightmare, and for most of us there’s nothing we can do but PRAY, PRAY, PRAY. I’m sure he will take comfort in knowing how very many HAIL MARYS are being prayed for him.
God and his Holy Mother sustain him.

The number of people here, who have obviously heard NOTHING Father Corapi
talked about, astound me. Judgement without knowledge, uncharitable
accusations, attacking our clerical superiors without actually knowing
anything. <shakes head>

I suggest you all get your Father Corapi DVDs out, and review his talks
on Christian Charity, Judging others, and, of course, carrying our own
crosses, which HE is currently doing. Do as he says, and pray for ALL
concerned in this matter.

We need Fr. Corapi’s IN YOUR FACE TRUTH, especially in today’s world. I wonder how many accusations there would be if part of the process of SUBMITTING an allegation would be more than ambiguous words on a paper. Perhaps it might include a lie detector test or sworn statement on a BIBLE like court or some physical or other positive proof. At any rate, I pray that this will conclude in a speedy fashion and if false, that the Holy Ghost will bother the conscience of the woman to admit she lied for whatever reason, likely cash :-( But the Church now follows her Master in the Passion ... and how GLORIOUS will be the RESURRECTION & THE NEW SPRING!

I’m putting together a Spiritual Bouquet for Father Corapi. I believe him when he says he’s innocent. I feel that his work for God is great, therefore he’s a threat to the “enemy”, which is why this is happening.

Anyone interested in adding or contributing to our Spiritual Bouquet of prayers for Father, please visit :  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiritual-Bouquet-for-Father-John-Corapi/118929064848813 and add your petition.

I’ve kind of been waiting for your fall from grace, Dear Fr., not because of sin but because of Satan & sin. Whether you are guilty or not, Dear Father, I cannot love you less, just as you have taught us to believe in God’s love for all for ever, providing one repents, with humility.
Tell the truth, tell it again, be humble as you go into the Dark night, again. We’ll be loving you—the ones who love you, and know how to love & forgive.
Don’t give up if you are guilty! Repent & have faith.
But be humble like your Lord. Like you have taught us, like you don’t like.
John Siple

John Sible,

Beautifully said. Totally agree.

Sorry John, misspelled your name.

Just want to share my thoughts on this issue with Father Corapi; Father is a very good preacher of the word doing missions here in New Mexico. I attended his mission at San Clemente parish in Los Lunas New Mexico some years ago. My wife and I enjoyed every minute of it from start to finish.  If Father wants to leave where he’s at he’s more than welcome to come here to New Mexico, He has a community of priests and Sisters and brothers (SOLT) No one would brother him here. We have nineteen Native Americans people all over New Mexico, there also alot of old world spanish people who can trace their roots back 350 years. So please consider moving here to the “Land Of Enchantment ” “A Mi Casa es Su Casa “

You have no faith in the Blessed Mother.  If Father is innocent, this is a means of purification.  She will make enormous good come out of it.  Remember—the Cross before the Crown.  If he is guilty, this is the best thing that can happen—an opportunity for repentance and a signal warning to others.  She will bring the most good out of it for the glory of her Son.  Long live Christ the King.

Fr. Corapi has been a blessing to many of us over the years.  We watched and listened to him.  We love what he has accomplished with his life.  He has motivated and helped us to be stronger in our faith.  I have wanted for years to attend one of his conferences.  And I hope I’ll be able to attend one in the future.  He’s incredible and I believe that he is innocent of whatever charges there are.  I’ll be joining many others in praying for him.  I wish that his Bishop would speak out in support of him. We need strong priests like Fr. Corapi.  I pray for his mother if she is still alive; what a terrible cross for her to bear. This man has made a positive difference in so many lives.  Thank you, Fr. Corapi!!  We hope to see you on TV again soon.

As has been pointed out on some other blog…wouldn’t you think that the Superior General of Father Corapi’s order would know that it is Canon law..not Cannon Law??? Hmmmmm??? Has anyone checked this alleged statement from Reverend Gerald Sheehan to be authentic???

Father Corapi is, in my opinion, today’s most powerful preacher of the teachings of the Catholic Church, esp. because he has been there done that, as he says. Many can relate to his conversion story.  I, and countless others, through Father’s teachings, have been blessed to grow in the knowledge of our faith and what God expects of us in the world today.  I don’t put him on a pedastal but I am sure glad God put him in this time zone.  Father says he is innocent and that is what I will go by.  Besides, prayer, fasting and penance is what is most needed now.  He, EWTN, and numerous holy priests and laymen, have given me and countless others, hope, joy, peace and love in the knowledge of the Truth that is Jesus Christ.

Re: Byzcat: You have no faith in the Blessed Mother…

This is a ridiculous way to approach this.  The inclusion of the Blessed Virgin in our understanding of the Lord and His Gospel is important, to be sure, but to place her first in the way that you do is insane.

We are not required to have “faith in the Blessed Mother.”  Jesus Christ - and He alone - is the Son of God and our Risen Lord, but your inclusion of Jesus in your response to this seems almost like an afterthought.

To see a Vicar of Christ assailed in the way in which Fr. Corapi has been necessarily draws the example of Jesus first and foremost to mind.  Mary, for all her greatness, can only weep and watch as she did in those days of old.  She is not the Queen of Hosts.  She is not the Power and the Glory.  She is not Sabaoth. 

I hope and expect that these charges against Fr. Corapi will be proven false in due course, but, in the meantime, the process is the punishment…

It appears that greed has propmted some in Europe and in the U.S. to complain against priests. The Hierarchy was not wise to contest such cases, but spent money just to save the name. My question is why the victim did not report the incident at the first instance? That shows complicity and so the so called victim too is to be accused and punished. Every fair minded christian will agree that the guilty must repent and shall not repeat the sin. But all these things are valid for some who are not real believers in Christ and the Church. They just want to say they are christians. Innocent priests lose their good name It has to be taken as a Cross to carry and walk behind Jesus.  I know of a priest who was sentenced to imprisonment for the murdrer of a woma. Though he was innocent circumstancial evidence went against him and so the court sentenced him.  Few weeks before his death before hs death, the murderer’s wife ( He died already) came to the priest and confessed that the murder was committed by her doctor husband and that she wanted to tell this to the Father for his peaceful death. May truth prevail

I join my prayers, as well.  I have one question, though: why does Fr. Corapi not have priestly faculties in Montana if he lives there?

I live in Chicago, and I can still recall the time when our beloved Cardinal Bernardin
was falsely accused - and eventually exonerated. I hope Fr. Corapi conduct himself with the same grace and humility that Cardinal Bermardin did. And once exonerated, he too will serve as an example to others.

We can pontificate on the merits of these allegations all day if we want. The only facts we know, 1. Fr Corapi has an incredible message and amazing charisma delivering it. 2. The woman could have gone to the press and got a nice pay day but she elected to go to the bishops with a private letter. 3. Fr. Corapi had a dramatic shift in physical appearance that seemingly has come from vanity (Coloring his beard, tanning, clean shaven head, and weight loss)- Sorry if this seems judgmental 4. The congregation of the Catholic Church demanded accountability for scandal and we got it….should even apply to our celebrity priests. 5. I was a little taken back from his message on his website being derogatory about the process that Mother Church has instituted and how it has damaged him because he is so “well known”.

I prayed for Fr Corapi today and will always cherish his message. I hope these allegations are wrong but I am proud of the way Mother Church has addressed these allegations with swift action. I wish they had this procedure 50 years ago.

1. I feel that Fr. Corapi put this on his own website before the “mainstream media’ got a hold of the story and would, with catholics today, be dragged thru the mud.
2. I love how these accusations, weather on a priest, celebrity, etc., occurs when the person is a FORMER EMPLOYEE.  Just what is the reason that this woman is now a Former Employee?
3. We all know there is no shame with the majority of the poeple out there—A woman claiming to have sex with a 65 Year old priest (and doing drugs with him) Sounds like the makings of interviews on the Today Show and so on, with book deals galore! This woman seems to be taking advantage of Fr. Corapi and throwing in his face current lies of things of the past and to TRY to tarish his reputation as a priest—SHAME ON YOU!!!
4. I pray that this is nothing but lies and that Fr. Corapi will continue to be an active priest.  He has brought many poeple back to the church and is an inspiration to many.  After all this is said and done (and I pray that these are false accusations), I will stand by Fr. Corapi.  If they happen to be true, then, all I can say is we need to remember that he is human and can make mistakes.  He would still be a great person to go on and do lectures on the church and use his situation as a lesson to others.  But again, a 65 year old priest, after all this time accused of having sexual relations?  Sounds like it mirrors the crazy accusations that were made about Padre Pio—If so, Fr. Corapi is in great company and hopefully, will riegn again as a Priest and a person of faithful inspiration.

For those commenting on Fr. Corapi’s “change in appearance” (weight loss, etc.)—perhaps you don’t know (or didn’t remember) that he went through some pretty difficult medical problems a little over 1 1/2 years ago involving some of his endocrine system.  As a medical person, I can tell you that some of the illness he went through—and the necessary treatments required—definitely explain most of this change. —As for dying his beard: who knows if he dyes it or not.  But again, some of what he went through can definitely cause changes in hair and skin.  So before you accuse of him of vanity, perhaps you should step back and consider another possibility.

My prayers are with you .

RMMT:

FR. Corapi did say he was sick but he is very healthy now. He did not lose weight because of being sick. He said, “I lost weight because I was 60 pounds overweight and you should too” He went on to explain there is no substitute other than exercise. Look it up on youtube.
Furthermore, I am just making a point that we shouldn’t blindly judge either way. We should only hold God over the church….no man. These people making out Fr Corapi to St. Pio is insanity. Fr Corapi has a long way to go before we can venerate him as a saint.
I am a huge fan of Fr Corapi. I wish as much as anyone that he is innocent! “Judge not lest ye be judged” works both ways. We should trust in the Church that subsequently, put him on administrative leave. Apparently they must have thought there was some veracity to the allegations.

And Bishop Sheen was even more dramatic, “costume” and all.  Would you like to extend the attack? One of the “originals” in your category of “celebrities”.  Do you remember his talk re: the woman he sorta pushed into the confessional??  And his cause is up now ... perhaps you could even stop it!  Lumping together shows good objectivity!  Some could and do say the same about JPII!

Joseph - I think your comments about Fr. Corapi and Fr. Euteneuer seeking celebrity status are way out of line.

If the charges against Fr. Corapi turn out to be true I will be very disappointed but I never thought Fr. Corapi was looking for celebrity status. He does have the gift of preaching. If something went terribly wrong for him we need to pray for him. Surely he is suffering. We all need to remember - there but by the grace of God go I.

I THINK THIS IS A DISGRACE!!! FR. CORAPI’S REPUTATION IS DAMAGED WITH ALL OF THIS NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.  HE IS CRUCIFIED BEFORE THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE EVEN PROVEN!! WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS PICTURE.  FIRST OF ALL, HOW CREDIBLE IS THIS FORMER EMPLOYEE AND IF SHE HAS SAID SHE WAS INVOLVED ,  HOW MORAL IS SHE TO BEGIN WITH? PEOPLE THINK!!!! THIS MAN HAS GIVEN MUCH TO THE CHURCH, PRAY FOR HIM.  WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?  I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS FIRST AND SECOND REMEMBER WE ARE ALLLLLL SINNERS.  WHO CAN CAST ANY STONE.  THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS THIS PRIEST!

It’s ‘Canon Law’, not ‘Cannon Law’.

I am praying for you Fr. Corapi!!
I love you EWTN shows I am stronget in
my faith due to your teachings of TRUTH!!
Love & Prayers
Katie
Strieff

He has to be innocent because he’s on EWTN!

One thing I will say, regardless of whether the accusations against Fr. Corapi have merit (I would assume they do - if his Religious Superior is acting on them) - our Priests and Religious have a virtual bulls-eye on their backs. Their entire ministry/reputation can be distroyed with a single allegation.

Very frequently our religious are working with alcoholics, addicts, mentally ill or otherwise unstable people. Many of these folks understand the religious’ greatest vulnerability is this sort of accusation.  Also, they hear of large monetary settlements and think they just might score a jackpot by making an unprovable/non disprovable type allegation against a clergyman.

They need our prayers and our support.  Have you thanked your clergyman lately?

Well said Mac!!!!

@Nancy.  Seriously?  You’ve got to be kidding!

I hate to burst your bubble, but there are no perfect Catholics in this life - not even on EWTN ..

Joseph, as I recall Pope Benedict has asked that we use all forms of the media to evangelize. I suppose you judge any priest who steps in front of a camera to be seeking celebrity satus.Only God is to judge. Father Corapi has often said he never wanted to do this; he wanted a life of contemplative prayer. However his superiors told him his gift, from the Holy Spirit, was apostalic preaching and that is what he was to do. I agree with Rose, look how flamboyent Bishop Sheen was , swirling around with his long magenta colored cloak and that big smile. He even won an award for his TV show , making him more popular tha ever.I never thought he was trying to be a celebrity ,but just a wonderful chaismatic preaacher trying to lead us all closer to God.
“If you want to avoid judgment,stop passing judgment on others, Your verdict on others will be the verdict passed on You.” Mathew 7:1-2 (NAB)

I believe and support Fr. Corapi.  He has brought many back to the faith with his personal testimony.  Those who thought they were forever lost.  He has educated Catholics and non-Catholics alike in what the Church teaches in terms that all can understand. He stayed true to the teachings of the Catholic Church while many of his brother priests fell into dissent and heresay. He has been the light trusting in Christ when his dissenting brother priests tried to undermine his efforts.  He is an incredible priest that has been in the darkness and rejoices in the light of Jesus.  If any adult has accusations against a priest their name should be made public.  If they are truthful why would they not want to be in the open?  I will pray for Father so he can get back to work saving souls.

Fr. Corapi did the right thing for the Church, his particular ministry (he’s not a diocesan priest) and most importantly, for the Church. He admitted to having a reputation among some of our bishops and parish pastors for being the proverbial tosser of “grenades into the henhouse” only to travel on. Well, he travelled on only because he had contractural obligations to speak to other Catholic forums. No mystery of faith or basic paralegal or first year law school Contrac Law class lessons. The bishops and pastors didn’t like what he was saying, which was basically to tighten up the Church’s teachings and get their acts together. He more or less in so many words told them that the Protestants were eating their lunches because at least the Protestants didn’t mince words on basic Gospel truths in their sermons; notwithstanding the fact that the Mass is the Gospel writ large from the moment the priest crosses himself at the beginning to his blessings at the conclusion. People remember the homilies most when it comes to hearing and learning the Gospel. It’s a very subtle distinction that was lost on a lot of more casually-minded bishops and priests than most of them realized. Fr. Corapi didn’t miss it and he made sure his audiences didn’t either.
  I hate to put it like this, and I hope I’m dead wrong, but I have a gut suspicion that somebody within the more liberal side of our clerical ranks and/or lay religious (not to mention the Kumbaya Kops in many chanceries and rectories across the nation)—put this accuser up to the job.
  Fr. Corapi made a lot of in-house enemies and he’s dealing with what I believe is “pay back,” plain and simple. If anybody thinks my thinking is beyond the pale, they only need to look at the “pink mafia” and their heroes like Rembert Weakland; one of the biggest disgraces to have ever donned a Miter.
  Fr. Corapi is a survivor and will get past this. One doesn’t pick himself off a bench park in Los Angeles, put his life together well enough to not only become ordained by no less than Pope John Paul II, but also obtain multiple post graduate degrees along the way while he’s been preaching to many audiences ... without having the inner toughness of a very keen student of man and his relationship with God and how the devil works to destroy that. That’s what survivors need and Fr. Corapi had and openly shared with anybody who would listen for their eternal souls’ sake.
  I didn’t fully agree with him concerning his talk about socialism lately, but it came from the man’s heart, mind, plus experience and regardless of where one stands on that issue for example, it’s impossible to not respect this very sincere servant of God.

Stephen:
Is it possible that there is no left wing conspiracy? Isn’t it possible that we are talking about a disgruntled former employee? Isn’t it possible that Fr Corapi sinned? Fr Corapi’s message is the same regardless of the message. If it is possible that Father fell back into old patterns, with the grace of God, he can repent and be saved. Fr Corpai said, “I know God"s name and it is MERCY”

Let’s all be careful not to judge either way but let me be clear. We are to be obedient to the Church. All of these people who are making the analogy to St. Pio leaving ministry is absurd. Fr Corapi is not St. Pio and the fact he is being venerated as such is tantamount to his predicament. Put no man above the Church. The Church has not yet ruled but has taken steps they feel are right.
I was also caught up in this garbage. I loved it when Fr Corapi went after abusers of their office. Never should that accusatory finger be pointed at the institution Christ founded in Matthew 16: 18-19

Chris, I didn’t point any fingers, “accusatory” or otherwise at The Church as a whole, but I did try to alert the readers into the fact that the man had indeed rubbed a lot of people the wrong way by some of the things he said in his lectures. Are you trying to say that the hiearchy was without its share of cover-up artists and prelates who didn’t lead a good example?
  Even if you’re a popular Archbishop in a very Catholic city like Boston, you don’t mess up as badly as Bernard Law and expect to keep your seat. The Vatican removed him, yet unexplicably gave him a very nice sinecure post in charge of one Rome’s major basilicas. Are we supposed to be so loyal as to not say or write anything critical about the men we expect to be safe leaders when they’re behaving like Bernard The Coverin’ Up Cardinal, Rembert Weakland, who admitted he had his first homosexual relationship with a subordinate after he became bishop no less? Are we supposed to remain silent when now former bishops in West Palm Bch, FL and Springfield, MA had to resign on the spot (esp. the latter) when accused of sexual misconduct. These aren’t just shepherds, they are PUBLIC OFFICIALS AS WELL, and because they are PUBLIC OFFICIALS WITHIN THE CHURCH, the laity and their pastors/curates all have the right to expect them to behave accordingly.
  I’m obedient to the Church, but I’m sure as hell not going to be obedient to people whom I don’t believe are doing the Church any good; the last of which would be the likes of Weakland and his kind. If the Church ever turns into the kind of neo-fascist set up you and your ultramontanes seem to have in mind, I’ll be banging on the first red Episcopal door I see. Don’t bother telling me I’ll be joining those awful liberals who’ve opened their doors to hell wide open; because if the Catholic Church has indeed been taken over within by a clergy with your mindset, the damn gates will already have been opened wide.
  Catholicism by its nature expects unity of thought; but it’s gone well past the days when mere criticism of some bishops, (especially the rogue kind)automatically brings in train a charge of rank disloyalty and invite excommunication. It’s one thing to give assent to the Church’s teachings, it’s another to bow n’ scrape to wrong doers. Ever hear of a bishop of Bingen, Germany and where he met his fate?

@Raymond A.
interesting you take the position that we should not be too quick take “his side” but in saying that you choose to not take “his side” which is of course your position…these blogs really have such morons!

Praying for Fr. Corapi.

Wow, Steve. You sure like identifying yourself with institutions. That’s a oretty dangerous thing to do. Aren’t you concerned about your relationship with God? Be a Christian, not a company man.

@Robert
The Catholic Church is in fact the “ONE TRUE CHURCH”  it is NOT “merely one Christian institution” as you have stated.  Truly penitential for us to have to read your stupid comments Robert ...you who obviously and completely lack faith.  It IS NOT “man-made” it is GOD MADE!  Perhaps (if you are Catholic) you should spend less time on blogs and more time studying Our Creed…“One, True, Holy, Catholic”!...makes one really wonder about the people in the pews????  Fr John has made this public…the same attack has been made against many Priests and even the Holy Father…suffering is God’s remedy for sin.  I pray that God’s Will be done…which in all humility I know I do not understand.

Brace yourselves and pray hard folks, there is more to come.
The only good news is that we who read these magazines, web-pages, etc. and are this focused on our Church - we are but a small fraction of the Catholic population as a whole.  We (and I include myself) see packed audiences when a guy like Corapi speaks and think he’s a hugely recognized voice in the Church.  But we really are just a speck of the 30 or so million members of the U.S. Church.  If you poll the faithful exiting a regular Church after Sunday Mass, you’ll find that MAYBE 3 or 4% have even heard of him.
There’s no conspiracy here - the truth is that in the grand scheme he isn’t important enough to even inspire a conspiracy.  This is just an old fashioned falling from Grace.

Steven:

You are missing my point. We are all mad crazy how the sexual abuse was dealt with. They changed and are taking all allegations seriously. You are turning this into a “Dan Brown” novel. All of the examples you gave me were a “failure to act”. The Church is finally acting and we are jumping all over them. First, not one person made this decision, it was a protocol established by the magisterium of the Church. They are following that protocol and have gone out of their way to say this no way insinuates guilt or innocence. Second, Every example you gave me were individuals/perpetrators disguised as priests where the Church used an antiquated methodology to “heal”.
We can’t have it both ways. My personal belief is not relevant to the fact we finally have a system that takes these allegations seriously.
Furthermore, Christ gave the Catholic Church authority to “whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven whatever you loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven”. Jesus did that! Taking your ball and knocking up on red doors isn’t what Christ called us to do Steve.
Sin affects us all, that is why JPII went to confession every single day. Look at the vernacular of two Christ loving Catholics disagreeing. It’s OK that we disagree. It’s healthy cause it starts a dialogue for change. I respect your opinion except for leaving the Church…nobody should come between you and Mother Church…That is exactly what Satan wants. I really admire your zeal though.

I of course have no way of knowing the guilt or innocence of Father Corapi.  I pray and hope he is innocent, however I guess the investigation will determine that.
The Church has always throughout history been very protective in these matters.  In the past confessionals had a screen between penitent and priest, that prevented rumors and sinful actions. 
Today I observe even among good priests a lack of prudence when in the presence of ladies, particularly attractive ones.  For the protection of their purity I think they should keep a certain distance, instead I see a real chumminess that can possibly lead to a fall, especially in a moment of well timed temptation by the devil.  I am a married man and I am tempted, so I have to imagine that the priests are tempted as well.
If priests did more, and I am not saying that Father Corapi has not done these things, they would be better protected.
I am a former school teacher and one of the best pieces of advice I received from a veteran teacher was that I should never allow myself to be alone with a student or even a parent.  That protects them and it also protects you.  The witness does not have to be close, but should be visible.  If priests practiced these prudences it would be hard for false accusations to be made against them in the presence of a witness.
A lost truth is, “keep your hands to yourself.”  One should not touch with the exception of a handshake or a brief hug.  That keeps everything above board.
I believe that it was St. Ignatius of Loyola who said that between a man and a woman saint there should be an 8 foot wall.  Some saints would not look at members of the opposite sex to avoid temptation.  We might not be called to go that far, but these are good matters to reflect upon to see if we have gone as far as we should to protect our chastity.
Today, despite our hyper-sexualized society people falsely believe that they can hardly be tempted to fall, that we are more mature than the great saints of the past.  I believe that many of the scandals that have befallen the Church are a result of a false optimism regarding human nature, that contemporary man is so smart that he no longer falls for things as men in the past did. I believe that the exact opposite is true, because of the lack of vigilance men are weaker then ever.

This Corapi fellow has always been a bit too in-your-face, I-have-all-the-answers, take-no-prisoners for my taste. People who are so sure of themselves always make me skeptical. And he always has that angry scowl on his face. Whether guilty or not, I hope this experience will at least humble him a bit.

That is my point too Joseph. It works both ways. The next time a child molester is accused and removed from ministry we will be OK with it. Because we see Corapi on EWTN and have been inspired by him than all the sudden, the new rules don’t apply. Hypocrisy.
None of us know who is guilty or innocent. The fact that not one person from EWTN nor one Church official defended him does not bode well. Is his accuser a disgruntled employee??? No idea? Is Fr. Corapi’s altered physical more Youthful appearance suspect??? No idea.
Leave it up to the Church to decide and heed his advice….Pray

Father, If i didn’t see this play out in front of my eyes, it would be hard to comprehend.Father, like some great men before you ,I firmly believe the evil one is hard at work, there is no other logical explaination for this persecution.We will continue to use our weapons, THE ROSARY. Your heavenly Mother has got your back . God Bless you and keep you strond. The Peace of Christ be with you.

AMC

my feelings are not hurt.I will get stronger in my faith by this aligation.Fr.Corapi’s teachings are true based on catholic church teaching and I love him and pray pray pray that the truth will triumph always against the evil.

I’m with Ann. I, too, think the devil was working through Fr. Corapi.

Actually, Ann, there are other explanations. Perhaps the Catholic Church isn’t the “one true chrurch” we like to think it is. It’s merely one Christian institution, created and sustained by men, that is frought with as many flaws (and flawed personnel) as any other man-made organization.

Unfortunately, priests usually get a better deal, or should I say, a fairer deal, in courts.  If I were Father, I would file a suit for libel and defamation of character in *Federal* Court as his accuser has sent her accusations to multiple bishops and it is now on the net.  That will not only serve the purpose of proving (or disproving) his innocence, but will set an example that will better protect his and other priests from this “guilty until proven innocent” paradigm in place.  I understand Holy Mother Church must be cautious in our current culture regarding scandals involving priests, but I’m not sure this is the best way.  I encourage Father to work through the Federal Court system as well.
My prayers are with him, his superiors, and his accuser.  This is a very sad situation no matter what the outcome.

Robert - You said “Perhaps the Catholic Church isn’t the “one true chrurch” we like to think it is. It’s merely one Christian institution, created and sustained by men, that is frought with as many flaws (and flawed personnel) as any other man-made organization.”

The Catholic Church is most certainly the one true church. She is not a man-made organization or an institution. She is the Church established by Christ.
The Church belongs to Him. There are sinful members in the Church just as there have been throughout history; but, we must take Jesus’ words literally when He told us that “the gates of hell will not prevail”.

Like so many Catholics, I am saddened by the events of this most exceptional priest and human being.  He faces perhaps his biggest challenge despite the many crosses he has already had to carry. Whatever happens, he can take satisfaction in the thousands of people he has brought ino the Catholic Church.  Did we really believe that the evil one would be silent?  Hang in there Father Corapi, we will say rosary after rosary for you.  And, you, “good and fiathful servant” will receive many more opportunites to be told “well done.”  God Bless you, and we look forward to your return.
Tess
Dunmore, Pennsylvania

For so many in comments above who are so quickly willing to judge him innocent - are you not then by extension quickly judging his accuser guilty?

Joseph, that logic won’t work with us. We are a special sect of Catholicism that has been granted permission to judge. You don’t belong here with your Christian ways.

I suggest that readers log onto www.TheseStoneWalls.com and click on “Special Report.”  It’a real eye-opening, gut-wrenching description of what really happens to a priest who is falsely accused.

Funny Robert ~!

This particular dilemma calls for a serious reflection on the church teaching on the following doctrines:
1 doctrine of redemption- good and evil
a. angels and the angel of the Lord catechism # 328-354
b Satan
1 fallen angel cate hism # 391, #414
2 his activity permitted by divine providence catechism # 395
3 his rebellion against God catechism # 392
4 power of the devil is limited catechism # 395
5 temptation of man by the devil catechism# 397-398
6 through sin a certain control overman catechism # 394, # 407
2 doctrine of redemption - priesthood and atonement
a the priest in biblical theology
Biblical theology which is the knowledge of great operation in introducing his kingdom among man , presented to our view exactly as it lies presented in the bible
Priest ministerial graces
1 knowledge ( Luke 5:39)
2 discretion ( 2 cor 11:12)
3 truthfulness ( 2 cor 1:18)
4 gentleness ( 2 cor 2:1-10)
5 forbearance ( 2 cor9:4)
6 meekness and humility ( Luke 22:27)
7 firmness ( gal 2:3)
8 blamelessness ( 2 cor 4: 3,6-7)
9 zeal and devotion ( rom 1 :9-12)
Doctrine documents of the catholic church
1 the general council of Trent on the doctrine on the sacrament of order ( 1563)
2 the second Vatican general council : dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium (1964) ,Decree ad Gentes (1965) , Decree Presbyterorum Ordinis (1965)
Encyclical on the evils of society , his holiness Pope Leo xIII ( April 21,1878) ” inscrutabili Dei Consillio” ( on the evils of society that is the translation )
Moral law according to the catechism in reference to carnal concupiscence please refer to catechism # 2514-2533
In biblical theology ( Matt 5:28 ” every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart”)
Lastly , let us all maintain an intelligible outlook on this situation because this is a matter between the spirit of the one being accused to God
Peace to all in this Lenten Season !!!!!!!

Fr. C seems like a humble man in his talks. Humble about himself, and a lion in his preaching the faith. This cross will be a way for him to imitate Our Lord even more closely, and to share closely in His passion as an intimate companion.

I think, in the end, his life will be even more eloquent by his silent suffering than it was by his moving and powerful preaching.

I hope to God the poor woman who brought these charges against corapi isn’t exposed to comments like the ones being posted here. What a terrible feeling it must be to first have to muster up the courage to report him, then to have everyone jump to his defense and make him out to be the victim here.

Hmmm….I guess humble would never be a word I’d use to describe Fr. Corapi - right down to his high-buttoned vests and flashy french cuffs.
Ellie, very thoughtful comment, thank you.

Please remember charity on this page.  Charity for Fr. Corapi, and charity for his accuser. 

But, back to my question: if Fr. Corapi was permanently living in Montana, why didn’t he have faculties there?  That does seem strange to me.  No?

Joseph, did you *ever* seen Father Corapi talk? Flashy cuff links? I think you’re thinking of someone else. I saw him talk at a women’s conference in Boston in 2006 when he referred to Boston as “Ground Zero” for the Culture of Death… Yeah, it is and I’m sure many were not happy that he said that.

Lynne, yes I have seen him talk and in the same evening was at the dinner table with him.  So, that’s where I get my impression.

Joseph - You cannot possibly be speaking about Fr. Corapi. Many times when I saw him preach he wore a plain robe.  The only thing that was “flashy” about Fr. Corapi is his love for God and his love for the Church. Fr. Corapi was always filled with great zeal and not afraid to speak up when others would not. I thank him most sincerely for that. Fr. Corapi was always a warrior for Christ and for His Church. He, like any one of us, is not immune from falling if, in fact, he did fall. The only difference is he is being accused publicly and how terrible that must be! We do not know much about what took place and we will have to wait and see what transpires. Please, let’s just pray for everyone concerned that justice will prevail.

OK Lynne, if you say so it must have been someone else sitting at the table with me during dinner.  I stand corrected!

Or of course, you could a peek at this if you’d like (french cuffs and high-buttoned vests) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTHmn13v7Ts

I am inviting all of Father Corapi’s followers to join me in saying his
SPIRITUAL 911.  This is from Father Corapi’s book, Letters.  When we
dial 911 we need emergency help.  SPIRITUAL 911 we are requesting help
from God.  With great trust pray:  9 Memoraries, 1 Rosary and 1 Chaplet
of Divine Mercy.

None of us is in a position to judge either Fr. Corapi or the accuser. We haven’t the slightest idea what’s going on, beyond Father’s own claim that he stands accused by a female ex-employee of sexual activity with several adult women and drug abuse. I’m not even aware whether his characterization of the charges has been confirmed by any other source. His religious superior has only said he’s charged with conduct “unbecoming of a priest,” although both men agree that no criminal code violations are alleged. The only thing we can do is to pray. I would urge we invoke St. Nicholas (of Santa Claus fame) who is also known as the patron saint of the falsely accused, to intercede on behalf of whomever is the victim here—Father Corapi or the complainant whose charges he has denied. We’ll have to leave the rest to God, who knows what none of us does—the truth.

It says he has “a residence” in Montana, not that he lives there. A priest I know has a little weekend home in another state—it was once a family property. He is retired and lives in a parish rectory in this state, but is not a parish priest. He goes to his other “residence” once or twice a month, but I have no idea whether he has faculties there. Something like that could be the case with Fr. Corapi.

I am praying for Father Corapi, I know he is not alone,many are praying for him.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on all
innocent victims.Specially Fr. Corapi.

Etc. Etc. Etc.. say the posts. Why don’t we wait until the dust settles and we are exposed to the evidence.
Maybe this situation will move as quickly as that one on Father E who has now been put out to pasture.
They all but hung him…

Okay, Joseph. I watched the video and was going to be rather sarcastic. I know you watched it because you saw the cuff links. But did you listen to what he said? Or maybe you’ve condemned him because he’s wearing cuff links. You don’t like him, I get it.

Dear Father, May the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother, comfort you until the smell of lilacs fills your soul once again. Please know that the ones you placed in Her Blessed Garden now pray for you. Remember that you are respected, loved and upheld by the faithful all over this world. Oh, and that stuff about your reputatuion being ruined? Don’t worry for you are in great company; Jesus, Mary, St. Paul, St. Pio and the list goes on. God is Great and Jesus Gentle

I have some questions.

Could what Fr. Corapi is aledged/believed to have done be any worse than what Peter did?

If Peter could redeem himself, could not Fr. Corapi? 

And would the Church not be better off for it?

Good point…this is a GOOD thing for the Church, because we just don’t have enough scandal.  Never thought of it that way…

The French cuffs, the dyed beard, the nice tan… Some dismiss them, but they are important markers as to the character and disposition of a man.  One can produce fine speeches ad infinitum, but what does this man do with his private time? He pets his vanity in order to appear more youthful and stylish and appealing.  Appealing to whom?  God?  This forum shows to the world what a sorry bunch of gullible fools Catholics can be when they fall headlong into clericalism and idolatry of human beings.  Dupes all.  Regardless of his innocence or guilt, he’s certainly no example of Christian humility. Beg to differ?  Just picture Jesus annointing himself with a bottle of “Just For Men.”  Fail.

You’re correct Lynne, I am not a fan of Fr. Corapi, never have been.  But to be clear, I don’t think it’s ok for me to judge him as I said previously.  I’m admitting that I’m guilty - just trying to be truthful.  I don’t get why people are so enamored with this guy.  All he’s done is give speeches about his incredible riches to rags to whatever story.  What has he ever actually done?  Have you ever heard anyone corroborate his story of this incredible wealth, success and Hollywood connections?  You would think someone from his high-life past would be on record somewhere talking about their experience with him, wouldn’t you?  Maybe someone has, but I’ve only heard him talk about it.  Bottom line is I’ve never felt comfortable with the guy’s whole schtick from the day I first met him in Fall of 2003.  I was not one bit surprised to hear this story - and I know a lot of others who weren’t surprised either.

To Just Me John, I use “Just For Men” and I am a 53 year old divorcee who has been celibate for over 2 years (and I have had numerous opportunities). I chose my lifestyle based on the rules of the one true catholic church as I try to get to heaven. Although this is the life that I have chosen I still like to look the best that I can, within reason. One major difference between humans and the rest of the animals in this world is that we care what we look like. My fat cat couldn’t care less about his girth. Just because Fr. Corapi choses to update his appearance does not mean he is fishing for women in any way. I chose to believe in Fr. Corapi based on the wonderful faith-building words that come out of his mouth, regardless of how he physically presents himself.

Father Corapi as well as all others in positions of leadership who abouse there charges will in most instantinces go to hell. not somthing a smart man would choose. what his sheep do on his account will also
fall on his sholders at judgement. I personally think
Father Corapi loves GOD too much to do this.
Please return him to his ministry until he is judged.

@Joseph

Is it any more scandalous than the person who Jesus picked to be the leader of His church denying Him?  How many heard about Peter’s denial that evening that turned their backs on Jesus, also?  If texting was known then, I’m sure huge numbers would have heard of his denial and gone along with Peter.  Yet, we all know of his denial, now, centuries later.  Is this incident of this weekend a greater scandal than that? Has that knowledge caused others to turn away?  It may be for those whose concerns are how they look to themselves, in other words, how they feel because of how others may see them if they remain committed to the Church.  Those that don’t want to be associated with a Church where they may be ridiculed for others’ actions are no different than those who abandoned Jesus during His ministry when He told them they will have to eat His body and drink His blood.

No matter the “scandal,” it doesn’t change the nature of eating His body, and drinking His blood.  I look forward to the “Peter” that emerges after the dust settles.  That will be the true nature of the man.

Also - if are bodies our the temple of God, what is wrong with taking care of them and making them look as good as we can?

I think Father Corapi is a great person. Even if he fails, it’s because he is only human. Father Corapi should join the Orthodox Church.

@stilbelieve
Putting Corapi on the same level as St. Peter?  I wouldn’t quite go there, but have at it if you will.

@Joseph

I’m not putting Fr. Corapi on the “same level as Peter.”  I’m asking is Father’s alleged offence any worse than that of Peter’s.  And if not, than can not his “offence” be forgiven by the “disciples” and God, and he learn from his mistakes, if there were any, to the betterment of his self and the Church?

Fr. Corapi said this came to light on Ash Wednesday.  God is allowing this and just by the day it occured, it sounds like God has tailor made Fr. Corapi’s lenten penance.  No way Fr. Corapi is guilty, he is just in the desert for awhile.  We’re praying for you Fr. Corapi!

One would think that a 3 page letter might have specifics to be discounted, verified, or shown to be the ramblings of a deluded and/or malevolent person.  If the allegations are true, hoping they are not, Corapi goes to confession and healing, we have Divine Mercy for a good reason.  If the allegations are false, then like a good soldier I believe that this attack merits the strongest counter attack.  As in a good exposition and deliberate campaign bringing into the brightest light how the Church and clergy are under the most insidious attacks from the enemy.  Yes, this can be turned around into a counter offensive, rather than assuming that his reputation is tarnished even if innocent, conventional wisdoms are being overturned in this age, and it does’nt have to be that way.  Apparently two priests not of his order will be assigned to investigate.  They will go where the evidence takes them, evidence of fraud or otherwise, meanwhile we wait and pray for healing.

Joseph, priests are supposed to imitate Jesus, not 53 year olds who use “Just For Men.”. Throw that junk away - grey is honest and nothing to be embarrassed about.  God loves you as you truly are.  You don’t need a tan, French cuffs, or a buff body to gain sanctity.  In fact, these may be impediments to it.  Trust spiritual leaders who are truly humble and don’t draw attention to themselves like preening teenagers.

OUR LADY’S BELOVED SON NEEDS OUR HOLY MASSES! PRAY, & PRAY FOR OUR GREAT PRIEST FR JOHN CORAPI.  WE HAVE TO CONVERT OUR DISGUST FOR THESE ACCUSERS INTO PRAYERS AND MASSES FOR FATHER. HE IS SATANS NO 1 THREAT. Those wicked accusers have to prove their lies and they won’t be able to. If you critise a priest you critise Christ Himself and will answer for it before God.  GOD BLESS YOU FATHER CORAPI

To deny Father Corapi on television and radio is just so wrong.  He gives hope and belief to tens of thousands of people each and everyday, including my 98 year old grandma.  Souls are being lost not having his words be heard.  One soul is too many to loose in this decision of censorship.
Common sense has to prevail in this circumstance.  This decision is really hurting lots of people. 
Due to Fathers past, if indeed something happened, he would be the first to say so.  He has hid nothing from us, ever!  That is why he has my 100% support, respect and love.  My God bless Father Corapi and all of us who are really struggling right now without having him in our lives.  The sun is gone from my day…..............Jackie

For Corapi to complain about the process is in and of itself a suspiciously defensive “I’m a victim” stance.  Many saints endured persecution from within the Church.  The most saintly didn’t whine about it.  Corapi should keep quiet and let God vindicate him.

“Zero Tolerance” is a nice way to say “Cowardice”. It is all about fear of lawyers. As an EMHC I had to attend a “safe environment” program ordered by the diocese. They passed out a handout that listed 47 reasons why a person could NOT serve as an EMHC visiting homebound or hospitals or in any other ministry where there was contact with the elderly, homebound, schools etc. Everyone was fingerprinted and had background checks done. One fellow, who had a DUI from over from almost 25 years earlier, had been sober ever since, and was driving the catholic school school bus was told he could not do it any longer. Another guy who had worked the SVDP thrift store for years was found to have an “accusation” against him for something 25 years earlier—no arrest, no conviction etc) and was fired. I had a fit about this and was quietly told that “if I had a problem from the past we could talk about it”. WHATEVER !!! Are not we Catholics about FORGIVENESS and REDEMPTION—-This attack on Father Corapi is Satan doing his thing and laughing his butt off. And the powers to be, because of being gutless, are feeding right into it. Zero Tolerance is INSANE—-God bless Father Corapi

If this turns out to be a BS complaint, I will be furious on what they put FR Corapi through. My suspicions are that they found some kind of credibility to her letter. First and foremost, she has not yet sold her story, which lends credibility. The wording, “....has not risen to a level of criminal activity” would seemingly negate the “Drug usage”..right? It is illegal still to do drugs? There have been no reports of him entering a rehab or anything?
We just have to wait and pray

The zero tolerance policy is flawed. The law was a reactionary “solution” to the outcry from the public and media instead of taking extra time and getting the policy right. The policy needs to be changed.  The Devil has been targeting Fr. Corapi for a while and now the devil is using someone to do his dirty work. Fr. Corapi is in my thoughts and prayers.

Here are my thoughts on the matter: http://tunecedemalissedcontraaudentiorito.blogspot.com/2011/03/devil-strikes-my-thoughts-on.html

I agree that Fr. Corapi should feel as if he has been abandoned by his Bishops. However, it never really surprises me with all the bad-news we have been dealing with over the past few years. And please, let’s give the devil his due for the ugliness and transgressions going on today. We are living in dark days. I believe this is in the best interest for Father. After all; local police departments also will put their best on administration leave whenever accusations or performance are questioned. Why!? How well could have Fr Corapi evangelized,having this hanging over him. I am just grateful that this had no connections towards children. We are all chidren of God! So lets just sit back, pray the Rosary,and ask the Holy Spirit to watch over Fr Corapi and others that are targets within the church by satan himself. As the thief on the cross asked Jesus to remember him when he enters paradise, so to we ask Jesus to remember those who have worked so hard to defend the faith,as well as Fr Corapi. Has anyone ever noticed that whether it’s the Christmas season or Easter season, something always manages to get released to the public to disrupt and discourage the Faith?

Father Corapi is a devoted servant of God and, like us all, a human being who often and always has been ready to admit his own faults.  Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.  It is through the happy fault of Adam, the betrayal of Peter and the persecutions of Paul that our Almighty Father in heaven saw fit to do his wonders.  Father Corapi has often said it is through his weakness that God has chosen to show the strength of Christ.  It seems the angel of light has blinded our church authorities to do his evil bidding, unwitting although it may be, by first assuming guilt.  I pray that Father Corapi accept this cross and yet again show us all how we Catholics are to bear all things for the sake of His sorrowful passion.  Mother of Mercy, Mary Immaculate we pray that through your intercession your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will prevail in this sad circumstance and shine the Light of His truth and grace into the hearts and minds of those whom are charged with enacting His justice within Holy Mother Church.  Perhaps an unfortunate circumstance has arisen in this case, perhaps not.  I for one, Love Father Corapi and will continue to do so regardless of the outcome.  Lord Jesus strengthen and console your faithful servant Father Corapi.

Rev. Gerald Sheehan wrote:  “We have received an allegation that Father Corapi has behaved in a manner unbecoming of a priest”  Meanwhile Raymond Gravel Roman Catholic priest who worked as a male prostitute and in a gay leather bar and who has publicly disagreed with the Church in areas such as same-sex marriage and in 2008, defended the awarding of Canada’s highest civilian award to the country’s ‘father of abortion’ – arch-abortionist Henry Morgentaler.  AND this IS NOT behavior “unbecoming of a priest”! The allegations against Fr Corapi should be cleared up but BISHOPS should be fair and consistent.

Reading everyone’s posts, we have to wait and see…But the manner of how priests are suspended is labeling in itself, and immediately vindicates the accuser—honest or false.  When an event is reduced to a he said she said situation, the guilty has won.

I have heard about Fr Corapi for many years, and finally began listening to him this winter.  I watched his program regarding addictions and his own life, and if I recall correctly, he stating he could fall, and that we were to keep him in prayer. 

There is a real danger in being singular in public that can lead to vanity.  Being part of a whole is more in tune with the Spirit of the Church.

We need to increase prayers and fasting for the clergy.  In Los Angeles, many accusers failed the polygraph tests, and 50% of the priests were innocent.  There have been billions of dollars given to accusers.  I know the Church wants to protect the innocent.  I remember as well my under age son in junior coming home and seeing the headlines regarding clergy abuse in my diocese and how it affected him, even if the number of guilty priests were small.

I think it is imperative as well that priests deeply discern what kind of people to have as their assistants, and to really avoid vulnerable women—or men—who can bring about a grave fall.

I am sorry to have to say this, but this is a case of reaping what was sown. Had the Church handled matters differently in the past, the current draconian measures would not have been necessary. I feel bad for Fr. Corapi, (unless he is actually guilty) but I am sure he understands the term, better than I, of “collateral damage.”

Another point I’d like to make however is this: “Innocent until proven guilty” was not the norm throughout history. It was engineered as the norm in the United States for the express purpose of preventing a government from simply trumping up charges against opponents and jailing them.

I don’t know this for a fact, but my understanding is that US Military courts function more from a “guilty until proven innocent” standpoint. And the obvious reason would be efficiency and the need for a chain of command and control that everyone knows and understands.

So, I don’t really have a problem with the Church’s current processes. They are an attempt to correct grievous failings of the past, and we all just need to bow our heads and pray for forgiveness and fortitude. This abuse scandal problem was a long time in the making, and it will be a longer time correcting. You reap what you sow.

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Guilt or no guilt, I care not.  Though someone is obviously guilty of lying, we just don’t know who yet.  But what I want to know is, how do I become merciful?  How do I concretely show mercy and forgiveness towards the guilty person.  Someone please come forward and help all of us forward with this kind of responce.  I think this is an excelent opportunity for us to learn how to do this, myself especially.  Could you write an article on that?  Someone?  Anyone?  Please, I mean this sincerely.

It’s interesting that National Catholic Reporter hasn’t had anything to say about this story.  Maybe they’re not the bastion of liberalism everybody thinks they are?

Jennifer, you’ve come to the wrong place for answers to those questions.

Fair enough, maybe it’s more likely that they are savvy enough to just sit back and watch the Corapi apologists eat their own tails

I empathize with you Jennifer. It is frustrating. Take Corapi’s advice and pray for all parties…everyone involved is in need of prayers, not just Fr Corapi. All, including the investigators!
This dialogue is good. Seriously, we can all learn from one another. The same people casting their accusatory finger at the Church’s “Zero Tolerance” will be the firs ones to praise it when it comes to Children. There had to be some credibility to her allegations, of which we know nothing at all about. Except for what Fr Corapi indicated on his Web page. We have to wait and see.

Chris: to keep silent when accused of any crime. when you are innocent of the charges, is the worse thing to do!
Cardinal Pell made it very public and even set up a trial to see
exactly what ‘evidence’ this person had which was nothing but in the mind
of the one accusing.  I will bet this is the same case, you don’t sit
and suffer you let everyone know what is going on immediately! That is
how things get solved quickly and you can move on with life.
The faster the Truth is out there the faster the rumors and innuendos are silenced.

Understood, but man - even EWTN dropped him!  I wonder if there is a deeper story of discord between Corapi and the network.

Tapestry6

Read Fr. Longenecker’s article. We should not put any man above the spouse of Christ. The Church has spoken and from the revenues Fr Corapi’s ministry means to the Church, I’m positive they want him vindicated more than anyone. I just don’t think there is enough evidence or information available to decide on anything. Everyone is claiming this or that about his accuser and that is wrong until proven otherwise. Telling the Bishops or the Church on how they should proceed is wrong. We have to put our faith back into the Church that there will be a resolution.

Why do you think the Church gets his revenues?  Unless you mean his ministry brings people back to the Church in general - he keeps the money he earns.

This is an outrage!  What next for this wonderful priest!  I pray that this gets straightened out very soon and that God give Father Corapi extra strengh to get through this ridiculous charge.

I would like to find the quote Archbishop Sheen used to say about the stability of a society is based on the modesty of it’s women.  Well, I agree.  I’m not saying that the woman is lying or that Fr. Corapi is hiding something, I’m saying that, until WE as women understand the importance of modesty, chastity, humility, our society cannot recover from the chains of promescuity.  Women have to wake up and understand her role in this mess and men need to learn to say NO for their own protection! This Co-Ed world is dangerous in many ways.  It’s also unnecessary in most cases.  As I’ve told my boys many times, LEARN TO BE OFFENDED when a girl tries to drag you into the pits of hell with her beauty!  And I’ve always told my daughters, understand your power to make a man fall to hell with a glance and your responsibility for his soul and use it graciously because God doesn’t like ugly!

I am finding a lot of bickering about this situation all over the Web. It’s sad that Christians seem to be fighting rather than praying for all involved. It’s also quite disturbing to me that bloggers are taking it upon themselves to say they do not have enough knowledge about the situation and have nothing against Father Corapi, yet they go on and on and on with disparaging words and imply the worst case scenario. One blogger won’t even call him “Father.” Seems to me there’s a lot of judging going on by people who say they don’t really know what’s going on. They also criticize those who wish to pray and support a priest who has helped them on their faith journey. I wonder what Our dear Lord thinks about all of this. My recommendation is prayer and fasting for all involved. I hope and pray that the constant bickering and bashing of a priest will stop. We need to pray for all of our priests.

God bless,

Donna-Marie

Ann, you must have insider information. The charge can only be “ridiculous” if it’s false. Do you know that it’s false? Or is it that you happen to like corapi and don’t want the charges to be true so you’ve decided that the woman is surely a liar?

Donna-Marie, thank you for your sober words of warning.  And No Randall, I have not come to the wrong place for answers to those questions.  There are many good and sanctified people who read this Catholic news outlet.  They just don’t All respond in the combox.  So I am still asking, besides prayer and fasting, how should we be processing through our emotions and our thoughts so that we can be merciful and forgiving to whomever the guilty party is?  It seems to me that mercy and forgiveness are the two key elements of Christianity that are so greatly needed in our culture right now, yet seems to be so completely absent in us Christians.  And who among us wouldn’t immediately speak up and ask for mercy and forgiveness after sinning?  So what concrete actions do we take to learn how to forgive so that we can show mercy to each other and ultimately to the rest of the world which is in desperate need of Christ’s mercy and forgiveness?  Someone has the answer.  I’m exercising the virtue of patience and waiting this out.  thanks.

Joseph writes: “Have you ever heard anyone corroborate his story of this incredible wealth, success and Hollywood connections?” I haven’t, but on the other hand the stories he tells of his escapades are very detailed and as far as I can tell, they don’t keep changing, as would be typical with liars. He has named singer Natalie Cole as someone whom he knows personally from rehab. I don’t know if Miss Cole has ever gone on the record, but it would have been reckless in the extreme if Father Corapi had invented a relationship with her, assuming that he would never be caught in a lie. Frater Bovious writes “‘Innocent until proven guilty’ was not the norm throughout history. It was engineered as the norm in the United States for the express purpose of preventing a government from simply trumping up charges against opponents and jailing them.” Actually that phrase (which in its entirety is “innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt”) refers to the “presumption of innocence,” which we inherit from Roman Law through English law. There is a story of one of the Emperors, Julian I believe, who was hearing a case in which the defendant kept frustrating the prosecutor by simply denying the charge without offering a defense. The prosecutor finally said, “Oh, Caesar, if it is sufficient to deny, what will become of the guilty?” To which Caesar replied, “if it is sufficient to accuse, what shall become of the innocent?”

Thank you Father Corapi for faithfully carrying out the mission that God entrusted to you.  It certainly hasn’t been an enviable task, living out of a suitcase for months at a time.  You know very well how it takes the grace of God and the power of the HOly Spirit to preach a message that is so opposed by the modern world.  And, while preaching this message, to live up to it’s high calling.  Sinners we are, but we can never let that stop us from proclaiming the Truth.  It is a humbling task.  We struggle while we are in the flesh, but that is so we do not become puffed up with our own efforts.  Father, I prayed for you while you were sick and was happy to see you in better health and returned to the mission field.  My prayer for you,“Our Lady of the Most Precious Blood watch over the Living Chalices of the Precious Blood of Christ.”  May all of the Angels and Saints take up your cause.

St. Padre Pio was also accused and if I remember correctly removed from ministry for 10 years. Perhaps his greatest teaching came from this time. He reacted very strongly against anyone who criticized Holy Mother Church. 

Perhaps this is not about Fr. Corapi or his accuser at all. Either way it goes, satan has used it to further drive a wedge between the Church and the people on both sides of the issue.
Let us pray: Oh God, we pray that Your truth in this matter comes to light quickly and that You use it to strengthen Your Church.

Posted by Maxwell on Wednesday, Mar 23, 2011 9:50 AM (EDT):Understood, but man - even EWTN dropped him!  I wonder if there is a deeper story of discord between Corapi and the network.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

EWTN also operates under its local bishop (remember when they had to change their liturgy “style” due to the bishop’s demands?).  All of the bishops received letters re: this situation and that included the info about administrative leave.  Since bishops respect, in unity, what other particular local bishops are contending with they too would abide by the same and expect the enterprises under their watch to do the same.  EWTN’s statement seemed very hopeful for Fr. C’s good outcome.

We would do good to pray this prayer everyday for our priests (from St. Faustina’s diary - 1052):
O my Jesus, I beg you on behalf of the whole church: Grant it love and and the light of Your Spirit, and give power to the words of priests so that hardened hearts might be brought to repentance and return to You, O Lord.
Lord, give us holy priests; You Yourself maintain them in holiness. O Divine and Great High Priest, may the power of your mercy accompany them everywhere and protect them from the devil’s traps and snares which are continually being set for the souls of priests. May the power of Your mercy, O Lord, shatter and bring to naught all that might tarnish the sanctity of priests, for You can do all things.  AMEN.

Father, I believe that your reputation doesn’t matter to you as much as reaching the people of God with the Light and Truth of the Gospel. Therin lies your cross now.  So many of us have been blessed by your teachings and now we can return that blessing to you with our prayers, asking the Merciful Lord to let us once again hear your voice in defense of Holy Mother Church.  Until then, “O Jesus in Chains, by Your Divine Meekness, save the world from it’s impending doom.”  Sorrowful Mother, your tears destroy the dominions of Hell.”

The wording, “....has not risen to a level of criminal activity” would seemingly negate the “Drug usage”..right? It is illegal still to do drugs? There have been no reports of him entering a rehab or anything?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After hearing of Fr. C’s early life story - riches to rags and in between, extreme highs and lows, I wondered if he wasn’t a manic/depressive type personality.  Then with the undiagnosable symptoms of his latest illness going on for so long, apparently depleting his system of vital vitamins/nutrients that effect bones, muscles, nerves, there were probably prescription drugs tried and stopped before they found the right diagnosis.  So could he have possibly abused legal drugs during this time of real danger to his health and that was witnessed by anyone?  Saying that it is “complicated” by his superiors could mean that any culpability could be related to all of these various conditions.

Please stop giving Satan power. All these negative comments tell me that he is laughing and having a great old time. I know that satan is out to destroy families, so right now the family of the catholic church is his target. We need to pray and fast for all our priest. We need to put it all into God’s hands and leave it there. I know there are people on this site that are not catholic and are only trying to feed the fire. Don’t allow them to do that! Fr. Corapi has inspired many people and I believe that God will not forsake him the way many have. Just pray and share the positive.
May the precious blood of Jesus cover all that are involved in this mess. May justice prevail. In Jesus name we pray.

My first thought was Satan has his tail in this and thought of Padre Pio when he was falsely accused regarding his spiritual daughters. I believe Fr. Corapi in his statement and will not abandon him. He is one of my favorite spiritual directors (through EWTN)I feel sick at heart for him and all of us who love him. I will keep praying to Padre Pio and our Blessed Mother and Lord to help him weather this horrible storm.

1.  “Innocent until proven guilty” is an American invention, but isn’t necessarily sounds jurisprudence in other countries. It errs on the side of protecting the accused’s civil liberties, but it also errs by not protecting victims. The Church has a reasonable basis for ignoring the “innocent until proven guilty” part because it is acting more like a responsible employer and is not a criminal prosecutor. My point is this: quit using the “innocent until proven guilty” cry. It doesn’t apply.
2.  The system is flawed because it doesn’t really have criminal penalties for people who make false accusations. Libel suits have to be pursued as a civil suit. Celebrities have a lot to lose when false allegations are made, but nothing to gain, since the accusers are unlikely to have any assets that can be sued for in court. The hope is that Fr. Corapi gets a lot of free publicity.
3. God lets Satan attack us so we can suffer for Christ and test our faith. I hope Fr. Corapi keeps his blog going and we’ll pray for him that this is over soon.

why do people need to be jerks he has amazing speeches he is the best living evngalizer I know of(besides pope Benidict the 16). What do people think. He is not even dead yet and he is being convicted after all he has been through

Let’s do this:  Add a rosary each day during Lent for a miracle.  Let’s say the rosary and ask Pope John Paul II to present our petitions to Mary, who will then offer it to her Son.  Pope John Paul will help him and us.  Trust in Mary and Pope John Paul, and we will see a happy conclusion!  Start today!
Tess

Ha! Good one, Tess.

How about this Tess - we do exactly what you recommend only we do it for the thousand who dying and suffering in Japan.  Fr. John will do just fine fending for himself.

@Samuel

Why does the Rosary have to be for either the people in Japan or Fr. Corapi? The Rosary can be said for both the people in Japan and Fr. Corapi.

@Teresa
I get what you’re saying.  It’s just that if I were in Fr. John’s shoes I would be inclined to ask people to focus on the larger problems in the world.  I’d be embarrassed to think people are focusing their solemn efforts on me as a lowly servant of God.
But, that’s just me.

“We are at war! And our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and darkness.”  Over and over again, Fr. Corapi has started his talks with those statements. Satan hates priests, especially someone like Fr. Corapi who has helped lead countless souls back to the Church. We need to keep up constant prayer, sacrifice and offering up of our daily joys, trials and sufferings for Fr. Corapi, the Holy Father and all priests. And we need to ask for the intercession of Our Lady, Mother of priests, St. Joseph, and St. John Vianney, patron saint of priests, for Fr. Corapi and all priests.

Padre Pio and Saint Gerard Magella had serious accusations against which proved to be false. If Father Corapi is gilty he needs our prayers If Father Corapi is innocent he needs our prayers The solution is in all our hands-PRAYER.

Extroversion with a collar as compared to extroversion without one exhibits the same unmet childhood need to be special and is always aggressively defensive in the face of adversity.  In my opinion, Fr. Corapi’s reaction to these allegations reveals a defensiveness that prevents him from expressing how deeply hurt he is.
Those who are most defensive are those who are most afraid of being vulnerable.  They lead by aggression and their followers are either like them or want to be like them because it appears to be characteristic of a strong and courageous faith.  It isn’t.  It is a character trait which is not chosen.  It is the neurobiology controlling the actions and the thoughts and vocabulary that resonate with the chemistry being synthesized at the moment.
I do not know the truth of the situation but his reaction reveals to me the distress and underlying tensions within our faith that create hostile relationships with those we want to convert.

@Robert King
Are you actually saying it isn’t the devil’s fault?  That he might just be physiologically or neuro-damaged?  Just like could happen to any of us mere mortals?  Oh, heaven forbid!!

EWTN speaks:

Official EWTN Statement Regarding Fr.John Corapi
Dear EWTN Family:

We are aware that many of our supporters are disappointed in EWTN’s decision to remove Father John Corapi’s programs from the Network during his administrative leave. We too are greatly disappointed that EWTN had to make this difficult decision. We can assure you that it was made with much prayer and careful discernment.

The fact is that Father John’s own religious community has placed him on administrative leave and his capacity to function publicly as a priest has been suspended during the investigation of the charges against him. This was officially communicated to all of the bishops of the country in a statement saying that, “...Fr. Corapi has been placed on administrative leave and has had all of his priestly faculties removed.”

In EWTN’s thirty years of existence, the Network has never knowingly aired programming featuring any priest whose priestly faculties have been suspended. The Network has always responded consistently and immediately in such situations by removing such programs from the air. We are obliged to do so in obedience to the discipline of the Church.

Father John has long been a friend of EWTN and many of us have worked closely with him throughout the years. He is a tremendously gifted preacher who has led many souls to Christ. We are doing exactly as he has asked and supporting him and everyone involved in the situation in the best way possible, through our prayers.

It is also our prayer that this matter will be brought to a speedy resolution so that Father John’s programs can be returned to the airwaves.

Thank you for your understanding. May God bless you.

EWTN Global Catholic Network

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/#ixzz1HTRZ0GGw

In his sermons, father Corapi often mentions that fasting is no more necessary for a believer. The current talk about father Corapi came to light on Ash Wednesday. Could this be just a coincidence? Well, Fasting is one of the mightiest weapons to fight the temptations of the devil. Catholics should better start now fasting.

Yes Enoch2000, it’s just a coincidence. Thanks for asking

“the distress and underlying tensions within our faith that create hostile relationships with those we want to convert.”?
Our faith does not create hostile tensions Faith brings true peace.Jesus is the Prince of Peace The hostile tensions you refer to come from the devil who is constantly trying to win souls away from the Good Shepherd.Father Corapi knows he has nothing to fear if he places his trust in Jesus regardless of the outcome of his current circumstance.

My prayers are with Father Corapi

Satan will not prvail for Our Lady the Virgin Mary and her Son Jesus will
sustain you in this dark time. You speak the truth and we have heard. Through this dark time even now you are reaping souls for Our Lord. Thousands are pray for Our Heavenly Mother to intercede and bing your voice to those who need to hear the truth in order to gain salvation. Through your ordeal thousands will pray the rosary who would not have prayed before. Though your voice is silent for now you are still reaping souls for Our Father. Know that you are not alone for Our Father is smilling down from heaven as our prayers are flowing upward.

@ Jennifer - you commented: Guilt or no guilt, I care not.  Though someone is obviously guilty of lying, we just don’t know who yet.  But what I want to know is, how do I become merciful?  How do I concretely show mercy and forgiveness towards the guilty person.  Someone please come forward and help all of us forward with this kind of responce.  I think this is an excelent opportunity for us to learn how to do this, myself especially.  Could you write an article on that?  Someone?  Anyone?  Please, I mean this sincerely.

This seemed very sincere, so I humbly offer the following:

Mercy and forgiveness. These are not ideals to be achieved so much as challenges to be met. I don’t believe we can concretely show mercy and forgiveness without truly understanding what they are and why. And then, quite frankly, I don’t know that we can act like we are supposed to without a fair measure of Grace.

There are a lot of platitudes out there, but I don’t think you want a re-hash of all the things you’ve already heard - “turn the other cheek” and the like. But I will say this concept of unwarranted forgiveness is a very Christian concept.

Mercy is basically not exacting the penalty deserved. Someone does something wrong, and they deserve punishment. Most of us are not in a place to actually mete out the appropriate punishment, so we mete out what we can - derision, hate, abusive language, etc. These are almost instinctive responses and the root of these responses would be quite debatable, but I think it lies in the arena of wanting to feel like we are better than someone else.

What I am suggesting is that we know our own failings, we know what we’ve done that we didn’t pay for, what we’ve gotten away with - in short we know our sins. And when we see a bigger sinner, it feels good, at least on the surface, to stand shoulder to shoulder with others and roundly denounce the bigger sinner. At it’s core, I’m suggesting it is simply a temporary ego boost.

So, one way to begin to concretely show mercy is to reserve judgment. Another concrete step is to pause and consider our own failings and focus on what we need to do rather than what the other person needs to do. Perhaps we are so excited about the particular incident because we have an issue in the same arena.

I believe this is called taking the log out of our own eyes first. Then, when we can see clearly, perhaps we can see that, in general, it does not fall to us to mete out punishment. We are not the judge nor the jury. And certainly not the executioner. It is not our place.

Forgiveness is something else, though it would seem on face to go hand in hand with mercy. However, we can and often do withhold both punishment and forgiveness. And, we can even punish and still not forgive. It seems to me that many people get caught in that cul-de-sac. I would suggest that not forgiving is a way we withhold ourselves from the person we believed deserved punishment; we are in fact substituting our refusal to love as punishment, whether or not they “got what they deserved”. By not forgiving we are saying, “I have the right to judge you on my own accord, regardless of what anyone else thinks.”

I think a good starting point regarding forgiveness is the Lord’s Prayer: “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We need to think about what we hope for from God when we stand before Him. And we need to remember, if we ever prayed the Lord’s Prayer, we are asking him to forgive us as we forgave others. Rather sobering thought.

Sometimes we don’t want to forgive because it offends our sense of justice. But our sense of justice is too small. We can never have all the facts, we can never know the heart of the other person.

Clearly, some things are easier to forgive than others. Something that I don’t believe we emotionally understand is the person we are not forgiving may be completely oblivious to the fact we aren’t forgiving them. Either because, in this case with Fr. Corapi, he or the lady involved have no idea who we are so our judgment and desire for them to suffer is lost on them, or because even if they do know who we are, we just aren’t that important to them. They don’t care about our opinions. I think this happens more than we would like to believe.

So, the question becomes, where is the gain in not forgiving? Concretely, what do we profit by holding fast to our puny sense of justice? I think if we spend some time in sober thought about this, we will realize that we gain nothing, and instead simply sap our energies and make ourselves miserable. In short, nothing good comes from not forgiving.

Mercy and forgiveness are deliberate acts of will on our part. Frankly it takes practice, and we will fall down. And lastly, I really don’t think we can be successful over the long run without specifically asking God for the grace to be more Christlike. But when we pray such a prayer, we must remember that implicit in that prayer is the agreement to whatever internal changes are necessary for that prayer to become reality. And that could be painful and hard. Yet, is it not worth the effort?

I do not believe the allegations whatsoever!  May God bring the truth to light very soon!  Let’s pray for Father Corapi’s strength and faith in God during this horrible time and also that the accuser comes clean with the truth.  I find it very ironic that this person brought it to the attention of the bishops on none other than Ash Wednesday!  That is very indicative of someone who wants to bring evil in, at one of the most holy times in our church.  Say the Memorare for Father everyday, since his devotion to Mary is so great, she will help him!

Pax et Bonum!

We should keep several things in mind.

First, a good priest is concerned for the salvation of souls, not for his own hide. As a good father, he will be concerned with the possible harm to the faithful under his care, rather than with the possible harm to himself as the accused. 

Second, to avoid any appearance of impropriety, a person of integrity will request without hesitation being placed in administrative leave until an accusation of this nature is properly investigated.

As in ALL these cases, I have always said that if such accusations were ever made against me AND I was innocent, I would challenge my accuser to a polygraph examination alongside myself in a public plaza for everyone to witness. Whenever, I do not see this type of candid and open response, doubts do arise as to the innocence of the accused.

We should pray for a thorough, ethical and fair investigation of the accusations. And we must be prepared to accept the outcome whatever it is.

However, regardless of Fr. Corapi’s guilt or innocence, it will always be just to applaud and give him credit for all the good he has done. You don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. Neither do you destroy a man because he succumbed to temptation in a moment of weakness. If he did something wrong he “earned” and should accept the punishment, in the exact same way he “earned” our admiration and applause for the good he has done.

Let us never forget that the failings, shortcomings or sins of a member of the Church, be he a Pope or a layman, do not in the least diminish the holiness of the Church’s teachings nor the validity of the Church’s mission.

Above all, let us keep him, and all our clergy, constantly in our prayers. May Almighty God help them to be virtuous and brave!

I am saddened and infuriated by these constant allegations. In the US one should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. We Catholics need to protect our community with Gods help. Why is it always the Catholics. Just look at the movies.

We need to pray for him and all falsely accused that have been forced to retire for fear of monitory damages. Being under assault is nothing new for us. After 2,000 years experience has kind of confirmed the lord,s words that heck would never prevail over His church,but this new tactic is thinning our ranks. I for one claim victory with Jesus and Mary. In jesus name.

I don’t agree with your opinion of this woman’s intent to bring evil into our Church.  There is already plenty of evil in our Church.  Aren’t we all sinners?  Ash Wednesday is a good day to admit to our sins.  Don’t you agree?

Father Corapi has endured evil attack in the past and has risen above those circumstances with the grace of the Holy Spirit. I believe in Father Corapi, my heart tells me so. We are to pray for all people involved, because we are all God’s children. May the truth be revealed, soon.

@Jennifer

“How do I concretely show mercy and forgiveness towards the guilty person.”

I think in this particular case Peter’s denial of Jesus to save his own hide may be helpful.  Read Mark 14: 27-31.

BE NOT AFRAID !

FATHER CORAPI IS INNOCENT. ITS TIME THE CHURCH HOLD ACCOUNTABLE THOSE WHO MAKE FALSE
ACCUSATIONS. THERE SHOULD BE A 5 YEAR MINUMUM SENTENCE FOR FALSE ACCUSATIONS.  CATHOLICS ARE NOT DOORMATS TO BE WALKED ON, OPEN SEASON ON OUR PRIESTS MUST END.

Once again, a man of God is under attack and is going through oppression.  It is cases like this that remind us that we are in a constant spiritual warfare and the devil will always attack those who work to make God made known especially if the faithful is a devotee of Mother Mary.

More than ever, let us remember to lift up Fr Corapi and all priests and nuns in our prayers.

Hail Mary, full of grace…

David, it looks like you are afraid.
Rose, we will discover the truth.  As yet the only observable truth is that Catholics who protest the loudest are those who are afraid and those who are afraid are those being attacked by the devil.

My Prayers are with Father Corapi
We have heard the truth from Father and He speaks only the truth. When you write we will learn the truth then you are playing into the hands of Satan. Thousands are praying
for this injustice to be exposed.
Those who have silenced him while investigating are a dlight to Satan.
There is no validity to these accusations. Father Corapi has brought thousands of souls out of the grip of Satan bak to Our Heavenly Father.
Now while he is is being crucified he has thousands praying rhe rosary to Our Blessed Mother Mary to intercede on his behalf and let his voice be used once more to save the souls from Satan.

I am aware of sin in my life and I know I’m not perfect! Father Corapi is a hudge area of concern for Catholics so if we condem him we condenm ourselves. The only thing that matters at this point in time is PRAYER.I for one am disappointed he cancelled I was so excited to see him.I hope and pray that everyone who LOVES him does just that.
Blessed Virgin Mother:PRAY for us.
Lord Jesus the only JUDGE;PRAY for us.
We can not condem or judge without the TRUTH.
Father Corapi may God Bless you today,tommorrow and always.

Ironically, Fr. Corapi unwittingly predicted something like this would happen. In all his talks on spiritual warfare, and allegorically using the language of battle, he identified attacks on the “officers” of the front line—our priests—as a strategy deployed by the enemy.

Look how clever satan is. In one stroke he took down a holy man who,
- Taught us the Catechism
- Urged us to learn our faith
- Implored us to pray the Rosary
- Encouraged us to adore the Blessed Sacrament in holy hours
- Instilled in us hope of conversion in God’s eternal mercy
- Led us to true devotion to Our Blessed Mother
- Inspired us to be stalwart in our fight against evil

Have faith Father. We pray for you and for victory over evil.

And we forget not your words: “Fear is useless, what is need is trust.” (Jesus).

We are confident that “Your momma wears combat boots” and she is leading our fight.

And we know you will one day hear these words, “Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter now into your Master’s house.”

As a life long catholic I have to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! The attacks against our catholic church have to stop. I believe with all my heart that Fr. Corapi is innoocent of these charges and after all is said and done this will unite catholics to defend our faith stronger than ever. Satan has picked on the wrong priest this time!!! Fr. Corapi has brought many catholics back to the church by his preaching, teachings, and conduct. He is truly a man of God!!! Our Blessed Mother, whom Fr. Corapi loves, will protect him under Her Motherly Mantle. Let us pray for all involved. God Bless.

I’m confused by your statement Frank.  How is this an attack against our Church? 

It’s an action taken BY the Church (Bishop and Superior)
Fr. Corapi is the one how publicized it by putting it on HIS web-site
It’s about something he did or did not do, PERSONALLY

I don’t feel attacked.  It doesn’t have anything to do with our Church.  It is specifically about one man.  I’m embarrassed and perhaps feeling sorry for him, not for our Church.

Ronald because a Catholic speaks out doesn’t mean they are afraid. Remember when Fr. Corapi said
that the SILENCE on Abortion is deafening.
    Sounds like you prefer Catholics to sit idly by and say nothing while Fr. Corapi is viciously attacked.
Get rid of your homemade theology Ronald. This is a good Priest who is being slandered.

David, Your interpretation is wrong on all accounts.  SILENCE is the defeaning sounds of hysterical screaming I hear of protests because people do not know how to solve their problems otherwise.  Being idle is actually doing and thinking the same way over and over again and expecting things to change.  Being idle is being stuck in a reactionary pattern one’s entire life and not gaining any understanding of how human relationships can be improved through love rather than hystrionic expressions.
Being idle is being prejudiced and not knowing it.

Mary I am sorry that you are confused by my comment but it is not just this attack on Fr. Corapi that I am talking about, it is the Media, and also the people who do not understand our faith and attack it everyday. We as Catholics need to stand up for our faith and let everyone know that we are not door mats that can be walked on.  Jesus suffered and died on the cross for us and we need to defend our faith. When people attack our beloved priests everyday we need to speak up for them.  Yes we have priests that have fallen and we need to pray for them and for their innocent victims but we cannot let the Media judge ALL priests in that manner. God bless.

Father Corapi you are in our prayers and I will say a Rosary for you and your accuser that the truth will prevail. As you have often said ” the truth will set you free. I only now heard about this acccusation not sure of the full news story but want to let you know Jesus’ life death and ressurection story has already happened, already written- ” we have won”!! Be strong our brother in Christ. I have often likened Fr. Corapi to a modern day John the Baptist… a man out of the desert proclaiming a message that not everyone wants to hear. A message that can “kill”. Many have suffered for their FAITH, many Saints of the church had to sacrifice all.  I trust in Jesus and I believe Fr. Corapi does too.

My prayers & rosary are being said for you Father

These women who are accusing Fr. John Corapi, by God will be punished severly.  I would hate to be in there shoes.

Fr.Corapi has had positive eternal life-giving   effect on my adult faith formation and hopefully my soul. Because of his ministry and life story many are given hope and it’s something that won’t change because of an accusation true or not! God Bless you always Fr. Corapi!

I remember our Blessed Mother Teresa who was very visible in her lifetime in her ministry for the poor - every day begins with prayers together with the nuns at the Blessed Sacrament for 3 hours before anything else.  Sr. Briege McKenna (a healing nun and a well-known international speaker for conferences and retreat for priests)  also covers herself with prayers at the Blessed Sacrament everyday and faithfully at the same time. Again, 3 hours before the Blessed Sacrament.  She said that sometimes it is very possible for people (herself included) to forget the Source of their gifts and talents and her prayer time was something she fights hard to protect (no matter how busy the day goes)keeping her grounded.  Yes, prayers and fasting are still relevant in this day and age for protection against oppression from the devil and protection from ourselves. Things happen for a reason - persecution and oppression is as biblical as it is current.  Let us all pray for each other, for the enemies of our beloved Church, and for Fr Corapi that he will be comforted by God’s love and words in his quiet time.  I just know that Fr. Corapi will offer his share in the Cross for the poor souls in purgatory.

RONALD ,

    PLEASE PRACTICE THE SILENCE THAT YOU PREACH.  SHOOOOOSHHH !!

I wonder which one of the commenters on here is corapi himself. Could be more than one.

I will wait for an investigation to be completed.  Hopefully, the guilty party will eventually be exposed and punished for his crime.

Notice John C,s attack against Fr. Corapi and essentially against all Catholics..

I will wait too, and then beg God’s mercy and pardon for the guilty person’s sins.

I will wait, too, but until we get the facts, I’m going to keep telling everyone that Fr. Corapi is innocent.

David, Your level of communication leaves me feeling empty.  What do you feel when you are not screaming about some injustice?

I’m usually asleep

Here’s an eyebrow-raising story about another priest in corapi’s order. http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Priest-accused-of-sex-crimes-faces-826352.php

I understand that it’s unfortunate that a priest has to be suspended upon any credible allegation - and keep in mind that this is considered by his Bishop and his Superior to be credible.

But here’s the deal:  The Church blew it when they systemically covered up abuse for decades.  They tossed their rights to absolute due process out the window.  Nobody made them do it (not even the devil) - they did it to themselves.  I hope he’s innocent, but you and he are barking up the wrong tree when you say he’s being unfairly treated.

Father Corapi,
Just as you have told us countless times, we are at war with Satan. Fight the good fight, my brother and friend.We all will pray for your redemption and for your peace. Thank you for what you have done for me and my family and I hope my prayers can be a small way of paying you back for your goodness. May God Bless You.    C.S.

The Top 10 Reasons Fr. Corapi won’t be found guilty:
10. When Father Corapi does push-ups, he doesn’t push up. He pushes the world down.

9. Father Corapi doesn’t sleep. He waits.

8. Father Corapi can make onions cry.

7. Father Corapi keeps a nightlight on when he goes to bed, not because he’s afraid of the dark but because the dark is afraid of him.

6. Superman wears Father Corapi pajamas.

5. Father Corapi doesn’t read books. He stares them down till he gets the information he wants.

4. Every night before going to bed, the Boogeyman checks under his bed for Father Corapi.

3. Father Corapi can lead a horse to water and make it drink.

2. Father Corapi’s calendar goes straight from March 3lst to April 2nd. No one fools Father Corapi.

1. Once, a cobra bit Father Corapi in the leg. After three days of excruciating pain, the cobra died.

Father Corapi is simply a human being….not a saint, savoir or messiah. He had a good message and delivers it well…better than most priests. He has charisma….a stong presence that demands attention. Some people have it, most don’t. But that’s all he is…a simple human being capable of great things or not so great things. My advice to my children is always listen to the message, don’t get caught up in the messenger,  digest it, think about it and if it touches your soul then God (not the man) is talking to you. Take God’s word and grace….you’ll never be disappointed.
I pray for Father Corapiand the accusers.

@andrea delaney
Thank you for your most reasonable and rational of posts!  Corapi is just a guy who supposedly got caught doinking around and now he’s been brought back down to earth.  Unfortunately for him people probably won’t be kneeling down in his path and grasping just to touch his garments any more.
This is not some cataclysmic war between good and evil - it’s just about a guy who got in trouble for thinking with the wrong head.

@Samuel Gee your judgmental to the enth degree. Were you present when these accusations of sexual improprieties supposedly took place? How do you know, really know Fr. Corapi thought with the wrong head? Maybe you think that because of the lifestyle you choose? If you don’t believe that there is a war between good and evil and the person who made the accusations could be used by the devil you are ignorant to reality.

Father Corapi, Hang in there! don’t read the negative mail, I’m sure you won’t have time to read even the good mail. Father, no mater how I look at these accusations, the one clear thought that I come away with ,the goal is to bring you and the Catholic church down, as you would say “PERIOD!” . It will not happen, regardless of the outcome you will have fought the good fight and that’s “winning”!!! Father trust in Devine Mercy an our Holy Mother. Sleep well my brother in Christ.

Irish amc

@Teresa
So I’m judgmental, ignorant and live a depraved lifestyle?  Ha! You’re funny! (you did see the part where I wrote “supposed,” didn’t you?)
You see…this is where the poor Protestants of the mega-churches get burned.  They develop cult of personality around some egomaniac who turns out to be just a regular guy who unfortunately begins to read his own press and thinks he’s normal rules no longer apply.
Remember, in our Catholic Church we are centered around the Eucharist - not a person.
I suggest you meditate on the 1st and 2nd Commandments

@Samuel - you might want to make sure you actually write the word supposedly not only in the previous sentence but the one you supposedly meant to write it in. I can only go by what you actually write. Sorry, but I don’t have ESP. I know I’m good, but not that good.

Try following your own advice first then maybe I’ll listen to your advice.

My focus is on the Eucharist but it is self-evident you are focused on a certain type of head and assuming the worst of priests, and NOT the Eucharist.

You are in my prayers because it is obvious you need all the prayers you can get.

@Teresa
from my original post ” Corapi is just a guy who supposedly got caught”  ummmmm…..  And remember, as someone posted earlier, don’t say you’re going to pray for me unless you actually do it!  That’s when you get in real trouble…

I was once told by a great priest, if there are 7 devils on your roof there are 17 on mine. I personally have grown in my faith listening to Father Corapi. If he did fall, it does not matter to me, he is still a great man of God, greatly in need of prayer by us all. Love the sinner and hate the sin. Do not speculate whether this happened, this is what the evil one would have us do, pray for all involved.
Our priests are ordained by God, but still men, we must pray for them constantly, if we do not they may fall into sin.
Please know, I was a survivor of the most heinous crime against a child, sexual abuse by a man of God. I would never ask the Lord to change what happened to me. All for the greater good as Father Corapi would say. The Lord is my light and my salvation of whom should I be afraid.

We love you Father Corapi,

Know that this is for the greater good

@Samuel ” Corapi is just a guy who supposedly got caught”

As I pointed out that was in a different sentence. Prayers….

How sad that someone would take this occasion to spoof us with the following post:
“Posted by Anil Oraface on Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 12:59 PM (EDT)”

I don’t believe allegations on Father Corapi. The truth will come out, God help those accusers. I Love Father Corapi, he has helped me to come closer to the Lord. I know with our prayer, the truth will come out.

Gerard Majella was baselessly accused of inapropriate conduct with a woman under his spiritual care.  As the story goes, he never uttered a word in his own defense, at which reaction, his superior Alphonsus Liguori, was supposed to have marvelled.  The truth ultimately came out, the accusation was a lie, and Gerard and Alphonsus were both ultimately canonized.  Let us continue to pray, and await God’s truth in His time.

Don’t worry, Father—we know better, after hearing you speak the truth with such fire and conviction, how could the devil not go after you?
I’ve read that St. Gerard and St. Pio were accused as well, and we know the special place they have in heaven.
Our love and prayers are with you.
May our Lord in His divine mercy forgive your accuser.

Bill - Anil Oraface obviously has a lot of time on his hands and holds themselves in very high regard with pitiful, inappropriate attempts at sarcasm.

No human being brings us to love God.  Human beings with collars and without collars who do not know how to love others drive people away from faith and God.  It is God Who brings us back to the faith and not human beings. 
As for natural law there a natural law of attraction and repulsion.  We are naturally attracted to what appears to be love and repulsed by what is not love. 
Do you love your enemies as much as you love Fr. Corapi?

Ronald how do you square in your mind Christ’s use of weak fallible men in apostolic succession to spread His message of repentance and forgiveness?  Or do you not believe in apostolic succession?  Are you Catholic?  Just curious.  Have seen you post in the comboxes here numerous times on many different articles.

My heart and prayers at this time go out to Fr. Corapi.I am not well known as Fr. Corapi, but know how it feels to be falsey accused.I had a dream of psalm 109,it is a prayer for the falsey accused.God is so wonderful and full of Mercy.“The Lord who created you says,“Do not be affraid"When you pass through deep waters I wil be with you.Jesus I Trust in You Iam praying for you now. God Bless May Mary hold you closely.

It would sure be a shame if he used the money his organization brought in to support his drug habit.

I am so grateful to God for Father Corapi’s gift of teaching….every morning I get a fresh breath of TRUTH from 5am til 6 on Relavent Radio.  I am so saddened that I can’t listen to him every morning while these allegations are being investigated.  SO, I just ordered his 58 hours of teaching the Catholic Catechism so that I can still hear his teachings!  This might be a great way to still receive great teaching and support Father. Pray for Father, pray for the accuser and let our LORD take care of the rest!  I am looking forward to his teachings in the future and suspect we’ll be learning more about praying for those who persecute us and forgiving those who trespass against us.  The enemy HATES,  JESUS LOVES, and love conquers all things!  Let us battle this situation in a loving way!

Fr. Corapi we will continue to pray for you and your accuser. I am actually surprised that it took this long for Satan to attack our dear Fr. Corapi. As Catholics we need to pray now more than ever because our Catholic church is under attack by Satan, but remember what our dear Lord said, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against my church”. God bless.

Jennifer,  I am Catholic and it was God who brought me home Easter of 2005 after 40 years away from the faith that I love.  My vocation for 35 years was as a counselor and psychotherapist with an emphasis in interpersonal relationships and neurobiology.  I believe Christ is in the Eucharist, I believe in Apostolic succession and I believe in the fallibility of men.  I am not here because of men and I do not stay here because of men.  I believe in God’s Love for all human beings.  I have carried the burden of the suffering of others in my practice and the fear of their death due to the ignorance and hatred of others who have hurt them.  I have sat face to face with perpetrators and have developed against my instincts and desires a sense of compassion for them that could only come from God’s influence.  I have felt the victims’ pain and have sat through countless hours listening to the depths of their pain.  Only with God’s help did healing take place which allowed scars to form as a symbol of their wisdom and strength gained through their suffering.  Yes, I am Catholic and I am thankful.  I also know when one loves and when one doesn’t love.  It is very clear to me.  The sermon on the mount is my second favorite part of Christ’s teaching after the Cross.

Ronald,
    Didn’t your mother help you to come to know God? No Human being can drive you away from God, only you choose to drive away from Him.
    Hey Ronald, Samuel and Maxwell, you guys sound very much alike.  Do you all work at the same abortion
clinic ?

@david

Gosh, cut me to the quick with your rapier-like wit.  Hey, the school just called and they need you to come back and finish the 6th grade.

School still has your number Huh, Hmmm. After reading the comments of you three I fell like I’m in 6th grade
listening to Mo, Larry and Curly.

I recieved the following email - which may shed some information on the complaint.  It has been copied in full, and I put it in quotes.

” Santa Cruz Media, Inc. is the owner of all of Fr. John Corapi’s intellectual property and the DVDs, CDs, and books that flow from it. We are a secular corporation and not affiliated with the Catholic Church in any way. As such, we are not under the jurisdiction of any bishop or other official in the Catholic Church, although we have the utmost respect for Church authority.

We fully support Rev. John Corapi in this terrible trial, not surprisingly having begun on Ash Wednesday. Through the sacrifice and struggle of the desert and all of the dark moments that this entails, we are confident that the glory of the risen Lord will shine forth from the power of the Resurrection and Easter.

We have consulted with a number of canon lawyers. They have assured us that the actions of the Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas are, on several points of canon law, illicit. It is our fervent hope that The Dallas Charter will be changed because of false accusations like this. There is no evidence at this time that Fr. Corapi did anything wrong, only the unsubstantiated rant of a former employee, who, after losing her job with this office, physically assaulted me and another employee and promised to “destroy” Father Corapi. We all continue to pray for this person, and we ask you to do the same.

We sincerely believe that the work Fr. Corapi has done is of greatest value to the Church, hence hated by the devil. We fully intend to make Fr. Corapi’s material available as a service to the Church and the world for as long as we possibly can.

The Church provides no financial support to Fr. Corapi. He has to pay for his own legal representation, medical costs, food, housing, etc. We have never accepted donations or charitable contributions of any kind. We are supporting Father’s efforts to defend himself. Your purchase of products from Santa Cruz Media helps provide the funding for Father’s continued work as well as the legal expenses he continues to incur as a result of these malicious allegations.

Father Corapi and all of us here at Santa Cruz Media, Inc. greatly appreciate your kindness, support, and prayers. Please continue to pray for Father Corapi and his accuser, as well as all priests who find themselves in this unfortunate situation.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

  Bobbi Ruffatto
Vice President of Operations
Santa Cruz Media, Inc. “

david,  I can see that you want to belittle people with your slanderous statements.  This is a day of fasting and prayer, why do you express such hurtful words?

Ronald, I mean this as no offense so please don’t take it that way (I’m asking with sincerity of heart that can not be known thru script), but the way you talk about people sounds like you put them in two catagories, the victims and the aggressors.  And it seems like you are attributing God like qualities to yourself of being able to read the hearts of people in order to know which catagory to put them in.  Is this what you meant to say?  Also, I’ve always been taught that faith is something that is a gift of God which is passed on through person to person interactions (Holy Spirit is the bringer of the gift, we are the conduit).  So I’m miffed to see you claim no human contribution what so ever in your recieving of the faith.  Can you explain?  It seems like you are very disgruntled or distrusting of people.  Is this so?

We all know how almost anything is possible in the world today but I truly believe Fr. Corapi is innocent.  He is a very strong man and I feel once this is over with he will come back stronger than ever.  I think God has given him this time to become even stronger to help us during this ever growing time of termoil in the world.  If by chance this accusition had an ounce of truth to it, I for one would want him to come back to the public as a speaker and to continue his mission for God.  We all make mistakes and God forgives us all.  Hopefully this will be resolved quickly.  My prayers are with Fr. Corapi and all involved.

How soon we forget. Forget the lessons learned from the McMartin pre-school trial and the tribulations of Richard Jewell, the latter wrongfully accused by federal agents. If “innocent” mistakes of children and feds have previously resulted, why is there ANY credence being given to a scorned accuser who forewarned as to their ulterior motives? The Catholic Church should not be using this frivolous, wrongful, defamatory and destructive accusation to take a “guilty until proved innocent” tack in a misguided attempt to attone for failire to take action in the past.
Once Fr. Corapi is proved to be innocent of all allegations, the damage will have long since been done. Rightfully pursuing the accuser to the fullest extent of the law will not do Father justice nor provide ample restitution. The civil lawsuit that should render this person destitute and compensate Father not only for his expenses but for pain and suffering (punitive damages) will be rendered moot by what I predict will be a bankruptcy filing by the accuser. While living in Palm Beach FL, a warped young man wrongfully accused a priest of misconduct. The other parents in the school took up a collection for his defense, which included a polygraph. While inadmissable in court, Father passed with flying colors. The family of the accuser had to leave town in shame, but not after permanent damage to Father’s career was already done. This accusation should have been given no credence and the accuser referred to a mental health professional.

Jennifer, Each of us can fall into either category depending on our response to a particular situation.  I am not claiming to attribute to myself as you stated above “God like qualities…being able to read the hearts of people being able to know which category to put them in.”  It is much more complicated than what you imagine.  God directed me into this field and allowed me to sin and deceive myself and others in order to know sin at its most hidden level in myself and others.  He directed me to overcome my fears and prejudices by placing me in many different situations in order to learn how to love and be vulnerable in the face of hatred.
We are all victims and perpetrators depending on our reaction to another’s fear or hate.  I know that God’s Love can free us from that continuum which enslaves us.
The woman who accused Fr. Corapi needs more love than ever.  Fr. Corapi is getting all the love he needs.
People influence us as children whether or not our faith has meaning through their ability to love.

Statement of Santa Cruz Media, Inc. Relative to Fr. Corapi’s Suspension

Santa Cruz Media, Inc. is the owner of all of Fr. John Corapi’s intellectual property and the DVDs, CDs, and books that flow from it. We are a secular corporation and not affiliated with the Catholic Church in any way. As such, we are not under the jurisdiction of any bishop or other official in the Catholic Church, although we have the utmost respect for Church authority.

We fully support Rev. John Corapi in this terrible trial, not surprisingly having begun on Ash Wednesday. Through the sacrifice and struggle of the desert and all of the dark moments that this entails, we are confident that the glory of the risen Lord will shine forth from the power of the Resurrection and Easter.

We have consulted with a number of canon lawyers. They have assured us that the actions of the Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas are, on several points of canon law, illicit. It is our fervent hope that The Dallas Charter will be changed because of false accusations like this. There is no evidence at this time that Fr. Corapi did anything wrong, only the unsubstantiated rant of a former employee, who, after losing her job with this office, physically assaulted me and another employee and promised to “destroy” Father Corapi. We all continue to pray for this person, and we ask you to do the same.

We sincerely believe that the work Fr. Corapi has done is of greatest value to the Church, hence hated by the devil. We fully intend to make Fr. Corapi’s material available as a service to the Church and the world for as long as we possibly can.

The Church provides no financial support to Fr. Corapi. He has to pay for his own legal representation, medical costs, food, housing, etc. We have never accepted donations or charitable contributions of any kind. We are supporting Father’s efforts to defend himself. Your purchase of products from Santa Cruz Media helps provide the funding for Father’s continued work as well as the legal expenses he continues to incur as a result of these malicious allegations.

Father Corapi and all of us here at Santa Cruz Media, Inc. greatly appreciate your kindness, support, and prayers. Please continue to pray for Father Corapi and his accuser, as well as all priests who find themselves in this unfortunate situation.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bobbi Ruffatto
Vice President of Operations
Santa Cruz Media, Inc.

If he is guilty of these accusations, what is he guilty of - being human and weak?  However, if he is lying about his guilt, then we have a tremendous problem.  The lie or cover-up would be great becuase it would prove unrepentance which would also prove unholy character.  He does not strike me as a man who would hide from the truth, but he does strike me as a man - which means he is capable of these sin of the flesh.  Because of these reasons, I beleive he must be innocent.  If he is covering the truth, then he is more evil than than we can imagine.  Please pray for his innocence and a full recovery of his reputation.  Most Catholics depend on thier leaders to be honest, not sinless.

Statement of Santa Cruz Media, Inc. Relative to Fr. Corapi’s Suspension

  Santa Cruz Media, Inc. is the owner of all of Fr. John Corapi’s intellectual property and the DVDs, CDs, and books that flow from it. We are a secular corporation and not affiliated with the Catholic Church in any way. As such, we are not under the jurisdiction of any bishop or other official in the Catholic Church, although we have the utmost respect for Church authority.

We fully support Rev. John Corapi in this terrible trial, not surprisingly having begun on Ash Wednesday. Through the sacrifice and struggle of the desert and all of the dark moments that this entails, we are confident that the glory of the risen Lord will shine forth from the power of the Resurrection and Easter.

We have consulted with a number of canon lawyers. They have assured us that the actions of the Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas are, on several points of canon law, illicit. It is our fervent hope that The Dallas Charter will be changed because of false accusations like this. There is no evidence at this time that Fr. Corapi did anything wrong, only the unsubstantiated rant of a former employee, who, after losing her job with this office, physically assaulted me and another employee and promised to “destroy” Father Corapi. We all continue to pray for this person, and we ask you to do the same.

We sincerely believe that the work Fr. Corapi has done is of greatest value to the Church, hence hated by the devil. We fully intend to make Fr. Corapi’s material available as a service to the Church and the world for as long as we possibly can.

The Church provides no financial support to Fr. Corapi. He has to pay for his own legal representation, medical costs, food, housing, etc. We have never accepted donations or charitable contributions of any kind. We are supporting Father’s efforts to defend himself. Your purchase of products from Santa Cruz Media helps provide the funding for Father’s continued work as well as the legal expenses he continues to incur as a result of these malicious allegations.

Father Corapi and all of us here at Santa Cruz Media, Inc. greatly appreciate your kindness, support, and prayers. Please continue to pray for Father Corapi and his accuser, as well as all priests who find themselves in this unfortunate situation.

 Sincerely yours in Christ,

  Bobbi Ruffatto
Vice President of Operations
Santa Cruz Media, Inc.
 

“Please continue to pray for Father Corapi and his accuser”
Don’t they mean “his victim”?

From Anne’s post of the letter from the VP of Operations at Santa Cruz Media -“There is no evidence at this time that Fr. Corapi did anything wrong, only the unsubstantiated rant of a former employee, who, after losing her job with this office, physically assaulted me and another employee and promised to “destroy” Father Corapi.” That is all I need to know - Fr. Corapi is innocent.

No, they mean his ACCUSER.

Father Corapi is the VICTIM.

Since EWTN knows who this imbalanced individual is, they should be bringing a tremendous amount of pressure to bear on her until she comes forward and accounts for her egregious, slanderous accusations against Father Corapi.

She has already followed through with her rant in that she has done damage to the good name of John Corapi. Her name should be publicized and she should be subject to due scrutiny because of her wrongful actions.

This is so VERY, VERY SAD Father Corapi. SO SAD that had to happen to you!  The devil has chosen YOU the most high profile priest in the World. You are our Bishop Fulton Sheen & the devil is trying to destroy you.  He will not!!  You are a man of strong faith.  God loves you and so do we. We have so many, many wonderful holy priests.  But the devil has chosen you, as the other priests are only well known in their parish & diocese and even though they spread the Word of God to many, they don’t reach as many lifes as you do.  You are going to come through this incredibly sick accusation with more strength, wisdom and love then you thought was probably possible.  It makes me sick that this had to happen to you, but know you have our prayers and love.  I have over $400 of your CD’s, DVD’s and your first book, plus watch and record you on EWTN and have attended one of your retreats.  It is so apparent how much you love God and God loves you.  I don’t even question your innocence.  You are my kind of priest.  I like how you tell the word of the Lord like it is, with no excuses and apologies.  I am so proud to be a Catholic.  You and Father Sudac are my Internationally known priests….When you get this ordeal over with, please come to our parish and diocese and meet our wonderful priests.  We have the finest!!  We are praying for a new Bishop as ours was transferred….Maybe you can you be our New Bishop??? :>) God’s continued love, Father!!

“The devil has chosen YOU the most high profile priest in the World.” What? People who frequent this website and watch EWTN might know who corapi is, but believe me, most Catholics don’t.

@Raymond
You’re absolutely correct.  I’ve asked around some very involved Catholic that I know and they have no idea who he is - nor do they care

Fr. Corapi is not a victim, he is actually being blessed in this experience if we look at it correctly.  Christ was not a victim, he offered himself just as He told us.  He gave His life for us nobody took it away from Him.  This incident was described as “...an unsubstantiated rant, who, after losing her job with this office physically assaulted me and another employee and promised to destroy Fr. Corapi.”  What do we have here?  I will answer that.  We have a woman in great distress who is in need of loving actions, who is on her own and very much afraid.  What happened to this poor soul?  What does she really need?  How did it come to this point?
See what is in your heart.

Raymond if they don’t know who Fr. Corapi is then they need to be more involved with the church because any Catholic who is involved with the church knows who Fr. Corapi is and what a beautiful priest he is. So please don’t say that most Catholics don’t know who he is. What you should say is that some “so called” Catholics don’t know who he is.

No supporting evidence of any kind has been offered to support the accusation against Fr. Corapi. Even the identity of his accuser is unknown. Yet he has issued a complete, categorical denial of the charge. And since he had to know that his pre-conversion past would make him a sitting target for this kind of accusation in these times, he would have to be both suicidally reckless and insanely stupid to have illicit sex with many different women under such circumstances. And not even his detractors—at least not any who have observed him—think he’s stupid. Fairminded people should remain ready to assess whatever evidence is produced. But until then, those who are rushing to judgment based on unsupported accusations by an unidentified accuser deserve to be confronted just as history records the confrontation by Army counsel Robert Welch in the face of the smears and innuendoes by Senator Joe McCarthy:  “Little did I dream you could be so reckless and so cruel .... If it were in my power to forgive you for your reckless cruelty, I would do so. I like to think I’m a gentle man, but your forgiveness will have to come from someone other than me…. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?”

Raymond this is not a joke and it is Catholics(and I use the term losely)like you that make people attack our Catholic church.

The latest news from Santa Cruz seems to indicate we just may have received our miracle!!!!  No way was this poor soul in her right mind!  Pary for her, and thank you John Paul II for what appears to be vindication in the making!
Tess

May I say to those two who wrote to this website.  Most Catholics don’t even go to church.  And most people don’t even know they’re alive!  Thank you

Let us not forget,as Father Corapi has tought us so well,the gates of hell WILL NOT!!! prevail,try as they may.As Father has told us so many times,when he was discouraged in the past’ he confided in his mother who reminded him not to fear,“We know the last chapter of the book -WE WIN” .Unfortunately we must endure this pain and suffering so that a greater GOOD may come out of it.I’m sure the moral of the story is always trust MOM,she always knows best especially OUR BLESSED MOTHER who wears combat boots for just such an occasion.FATHER JOHN,do not dispair,trust in our BLESSED MOTHER as we have your back in prayer, Her prayer ,and that of the Gospel,The “HOLY ROSARY”.Let us always remain faithful and support all our preist the very one’s we need so much.Keep your chin up Fr.John and we WILL conquer the highest ground and as always,Thank You for helping us understand our faith so well.May we all fight diligently to put the devil,I won’t even mention his name,back in hell where he belongs…....

Do you guys have some sort of Catho-meter or Cath-dar?  Ridiculous and dangerous to think you can judge who’s Catholic and who’s not.  Especially when a measure is do you know Corapi or not!!!  Ha! Ha!

“Thank you John Paul II”??? Tess, as my good friend Frank P. likes to say, it is Catholics(and I use the term losely)like you that make people attack our Catholic church.

I am a volunteer non-denominational lay minister in a nursing home. I watch Father Corapi on EWTN and I don’t agree with all that he teaches. However,unless he is proved to be guilty by a proponderence of the evidence, or beyond a reasonable doubt, I put no credence at all in any of these allegations.The accuser sounds like a disgruntled employee and/or a very disturbed woman. We must assume that Father Corapi is innocent unless some real credible evidence comes forth. I look forward to the day when he returns to ministry stronger then ever, even though I am a non-Catholic who disagrees with some of his teachings. He must be in real pain right now and I am sorry he has to endure this. To quote Nietche (atheist, anti-christian) “What does not kill me makes me stronger.” Father will survive and be stronger then ever.

@Lorraine - I would doubt that EWTN has any information at all on the details other than what was made public.

I’m with Albert. I also watch Father Corapi on EWTN and I don’t agree with all that he teaches either.

Albert and Jeffrey, if you are non-catholic, you are free to disagree with what Fr. Corapi teaches, but if you are Catholic, you are supposed to believe his teachings, since they are what the Church teaches…especially the Catechism.

Fr. Corapi is under attack, probably falsely accused by an apparently disgruntled former employee, who according to the manager at Santa Cruz, attacked him physically and threatened to destroy Corapi when she was fired.

I believe that after a person is found innocent the accuser who falsely accuses
should under go some sort of torcher. (skining while alive). A lot less of these would never take place.  False Accusations! We had better start to think seriously about this or the radical moslems and/or the chinese who own us will give us some lessons.
Think not? It is coming quicker than you think!

Sadly, sadly I read of Fr. Corapi’s suspension.  Does anyone remember
Cardinal Bernandin, and the false accusations about him.  In the end he was
proved innocent.  And like John Paul II, visited with his accusor.  Please
pray for priests and the evil people in this world.

Patricia, Please define an evil person.

Living in a state where the Church has seen many problems arise, both old and new , with some hid from the public for many years.  I can understand that now thye Church is in a “Protective and OPEN Mode” when it comes to accusations but now we are seeing the Church go to extremes to protect its integrity. It goes much deeper than Father Corapi’s accusations it is how does the church protect the innocent when someting is alleged.  Unfortuately in Father Corapoi’s case he preaches to a national forum and many would like to see him fall.

Mary,

The information on the accuser came directly from EWTN - that she was a disgruntled employee, who upon being terminated, got physical with one employee and verbally threatened to distroy Father. Thus, they know who she is, and while they will refrain from publishing her name upon advisement of counsel, they should also be putting pressure on her privately to admit that she lied, regardless of the ramifications.

For the record, any “Catholic” who does not know who John Corapi is, regardless of how “high” in the ranks they are, is a “CINO” - Catholic In Name Only.

The accuser doesn’t need prayer. God helps those who help themselves, and this woman has elected to be influenced by Satan. What she needs, is consequences, as it is sinful and wrong to make false accusations against others.

We BELIEVE Father is innocent of the allegations, but this woman KNOWS he is. There is a big difference. She must take responsibility for her egregious actions, come clean, and ask God for forgiveness.

Father is getting NOTHING positive from this. We need to be a little more realistic and a lot less “lofty” here.

Lorraine,  You,just like EWTN, objectify her as a negative object and you become what you accuse others of, a CINO.  True justice is to know her life’s story and how she has suffered so much that it would influence her to act in this way.  True justice is God’s Love which is forgiveness and redemption resulting in conversion.  That is true Justice.  Are you a vehicle of true justice or revenge?  It doesn’t matter if we know Fr. Corapi.  It matters if we know Christ and what He gave us from the Cross.

“God helps those who help themselves” is not in the Bible, as many people mistakenly believe.  This statement goes back at least to Ancient Greece (as a moral to one of Aesop’s fables), and in modern times, Benjamin Franklin popularized this saying by having it printed in his almanac in 1736.  I would argue that this goes against Catholic theology, and is much more in line with Deism, which Franklin embraced.  I think a phrase like “God helps those who trust and who obey” holds far more Catholic truth.  Furthermore, when we pray for others, we can influence their wills and therefore their likelihood of living in accordance with God’s will (i.e. trusting and obeying).  Therefore, I believe that praying for Fr. Corapi’s accuser is extremely important, as repenting and telling the truth when one has made false accusations is indeed God’s Will.

Come on, Ronald, you need to talk real world. I’m in the legal profession, and Father has been wronged. Wronged personally, from a civil perspective. Now that he’s been suspended, he is financially responsible for his support and his defense. Money doesn’t grow on trees. I am a logical Catholic. I have no time for platitudes and lofty nonsense. It is what it is. This woman is a NEGATIVE. She has come out with extremely damaging, egregiously false accusations against Father Corapi, with malice. We have every right to demand to know why she has persecuted this innocent man. Now is NOT the time to make comparisons to Jesus Christ. This does nothing to help Father. What people MUST do is bring about justice. I have zero sympathy for someone who deliberately fashions a lie, in order to exact retribution. She needs to be brought before Judges. First one on Earth to assess punitive damages for her acts. Then before God, the ULTIMATE Judge, to ultimately be held to account for her transgressions. Period, case closed.

@Lorraine
“For the record, any “Catholic” who does not know who John Corapi is, regardless of how “high” in the ranks they are, is a “CINO” - Catholic In Name Only.”
Well, how about a Catholic missionary who’s been tucked away in the dark continent saving souls and bodies for the last 30 years and can’t even spell EWTN?  How about a 1 year-old just baptized into the Church?  How about a mentally handicapped Catholic who is unable to process conversation?  How about an elderly Catholic suffering from Alzheimer’s?  How about a Catholic who doesn’t own a TV?  How about a Catholic in Haiti who spends every day scrounging trash piles for enough food or scrap metal to feed his family? Huh?
In your tightly wound world you’ve excommunicated ALL OF them, haven’t you? Think…

Samuel, perhaps you’d be better served reading more and typing less. I was responding to the erroneous comment by a poster who said that “higher ups” in the church didn’t know who Father was and didn’t care. The “CINO” reference was for them.

I will also offer no apologies for my frame of reference as an American. My reference was to the rule and not to the exceptions you’ve cited. As for the rule, it’s an American world to me and that suits me just fine.

Gee Lorraine, I learned in English class that “any” is an absolute.  An absolute does not accommodate exceptions.  And if your world view is “American,” then how about the Catholics in remote villages high up in the Peruvian Andes?  Or Catholics in the tiny fishing villages of French Guiana or Belize?  They are in fact part of “an American world” that suits you just fine.
Or did you mean the United States?  Curious as to how you square your “American world” view as a “real” Catholic when the word by definition conveys universal?

Samuel, by any chance are you a Liberal who supports a woman’s right to “choose”? You sure sound like one. I am not going to reiterate the post to which I was responding, nor am I going to go off on a tangent here. The issue is the injustice done to Father Corapi, by way of a maliciously false accusation. This is a wrong that must be put right, and the only person who can do that is the accuser. That is American justice, United States of America justice. That is my frame of reference for all things global, where the line forms behind America. I am as proud of my American citizenship, a citizen of one nation, under GOD, as I am of my faith. My courage of conviction will not be shaken, and it is futile of you to attempt to do so.

Lorraine - This is the only statement I found from EWTN and it does not elaborate on the charges.

Official EWTN Statement Regarding Fr.John Corapi

  Dear EWTN Family:

We are aware that many of our supporters are disappointed in EWTN’s decision to remove Father John Corapi’s programs from the Network during his administrative leave. We too are greatly disappointed that EWTN had to make this difficult decision. We can assure you that it was made with much prayer and careful discernment.

The fact is that Father John’s own religious community has placed him on administrative leave and his capacity to function publicly as a priest has been suspended during the investigation of the charges against him. This was officially communicated to all of the bishops of the country in a statement saying that, “...Fr. Corapi has been placed on administrative leave and has had all of his priestly faculties removed.”

In EWTN’s thirty years of existence, the Network has never knowingly aired programming featuring any priest whose priestly faculties have been suspended. The Network has always responded consistently and immediately in such situations by removing such programs from the air. We are obliged to do so in obedience to the discipline of the Church.

Father John has long been a friend of EWTN and many of us have worked closely with him throughout the years. He is a tremendously gifted preacher who has led many souls to Christ. We are doing exactly as he has asked and supporting him and everyone involved in the situation in the best way possible, through our prayers.

It is also our prayer that this matter will be brought to a speedy resolution so that Father John’s programs can be returned to the airwaves.

Thank you for your understanding. May God bless you.

EWTN Global Catholic Network

I know that Santa Cruz media released a statement that did mention a disgruntled employee but nothing like this from EWTN>

Do tell Lorraine -
1)  What is it about my posts that makes me sound like I’m pro-abortion?  If you’re going to insult me, go ahead and explain it.
2) Are you sure you want to proclaim that you put your U.S. citizenship on the same level as your Catholic faith?  I’ll give you a freebie and let you take that little gem back.
3) And Santa Cruz is your source for proving the innocence or guilt in this matter?  The place that makes its money by selling Fr. Corapi products?

The email I received was from Santa Cruz Media, which I thought was an affiliate of EWTN. In accordance with the excerpt below, it is Santa Cruz who knows who this woman is (possibly EWTN as well) and their employees who should be putting pressure on the accuser to repent and retract.

There is no evidence at this time that Fr. Corapi did anything wrong, only the unsubstantiated rant of a former employee, who, after losing her job with this office, physically assaulted me and another employee and promised to “destroy” Father Corapi.

I live in the real world of Christ, Lorraine.  You pick and choose what you want your faith to be based on your subjective feelings.  Your methods are fallen man’s methods.  I do not want to live in your power hungry materialism that influences you to want to harm this woman.  You are either with Christ or you’re not.
What is in your heart other than dismissing the truth of God’s Love which you call platitudes.  It just shows your lack of real interest in your relationship with God when you are controlled by the law.

Samuel, I simply state fact. How you choose to interpret it is up to you. Re-read your posts. You come off as quite Liberal. I most certainly won’t take back my statement about being proud to be American. Just as Roman Catholicism is the one true faith, America is the greatest nation in the world. The two certainly are not mutually exclusive.

I said nothing of harming this woman. She is the one who has done harm. All I ask is that she retract her lies in favor of the truth, and that those who know her identity apply pressure on her to do the right thing. I also think she should be held to account for her actions, lest we open the floodgates for more wrongful accustions.

You still don’t answer why you think I’m pro-abortion - I know, actually explaining the drivel you spew is just over your head.  You haven’t managed to state any facts at all - just your opinions and feelings - sounds like a classic liberal to me.
You have no clue, let alone a fact, to determine if the woman is lying.  Despite the FACT that a Catholic Bishop and a Catholic Religious superior found enough credibility to suspend him, you’re willing to gang up and censor her before all the facts are out, aren’t you?  Reminds me of what they do in leftist, atheist, Communist countries.
You write, ” I am as proud of my American citizenship, a citizen of one nation, under GOD, as I am of my faith.”  There you go, lowering the Catholic faith to the level of earthly citizenship.  Of course they are not mutually exclusive, duh.  But the faith remains pre-eminent always.  Your words remind me of a famous speech on religion once made by a man named—Kennedy.

Ronald, Ronald, Ronald. All Lorraine said was that this womans claims are unsubstantiated rants, that means she’s trying to harm this woman? You sound as if you know this woman to be innocent, were you there when this supposed incident happened? Nothing has been proven for or against these allegations. I cant think of any reason to defend this accuser other than the fact that you just sided with her because shes a woman, or you just really cant stand Father Corapi.I think your right Lorraine, Ronald definitely is a pro-“choice”, liberal, womans liberation junkie, it emanates out of him. I dont know how Lorraine did it, but she could tell you were a “choicer” before i could. So now if you want to know how she knew you were pro-“choice” Ronald, im not sure, but nice call Lorraine. How do i know your pro-“choice” now? Because you were so quick to defend this woman from Lorraines “harsh attacks”, and “fallen MENS methods” that’s how. Whats the correlation between womens lib and pro-choice? There two peas in a pod that’s how, it’s pretty tough to have one without the other. Woman are great, I love them dearly and treasure them, but when they’re allowed to butcher their unborn children, we’ve let them go far.  These are the kind of people Father Corapi warned us about Lorraine. Whether Father Corapi is innocent or not has yet to be determined, and if he’s got a drug problem and slept with a few women, I’ll forgive him, so will the Lord. He’s brought more people to Christ than most people ever will. Go ahead with your response now Ronald, but I’ve said my piece and you probably won’t hear from me again. I know how liberals like to get the last word, so it’s all yours. Peace.

After re-reading the posts, I see it was Samuel being accused of being pro-choice, not Ronald, but you can certainly tell Ronald is pro-choice too. Only a liberal would say “true justice is to know how much this woman has suffered to cause her to act this way”? If she’s making this up, she doesn’t need excuses Ronald, she needs to own up, not have people patting her on the back saying, “It’s not your fault you did this poor baby”. Unreal.

First of all AJ, it’s Samuel.  Second, your post is so incoherent in thought and grammatically infantile that there’s no point in arguing.  As the man once said, “never bring a stick to a gunfight.”

Samuel,
Lorraine and AJ brought the big guns. However your comment comes off, as some snotty Ivy League liberal with a stick up his rear end.

Gosh you people like to name-call.  What’s the matter, did the big kid steal your lunch every day in grade school?

Well the good news is, I’m not a liberal, didn’t go to Harvard, but I did just save a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico.

There you go…every thing works out in the end!  i forget, what were we talking about?

I can’t remember

Story of my life.  Peace (see how easy it is for guys to shut down an argument?)

AJ, What has happened to you to get to this point of delusional beliefs about me?

Ronald,
      Sorry I didn’t see your last words to Jennifer before I made my comment otherwise I wouldn’t
have included you with those other 2 guys Mo and Larry. After reading your comment to her you appear at least online to be sincere in your search for truth, However you do come across way to wishy washy about the attacks on Fr. Corapi.
      Your statement of the woman who assaulted Fr. Corapi’s employee after she got fired , that we need to understand what brought her to that point is what Fulton Sheen called a False sense of compassion.
      Your Platitudes, Mumbo Jumbo and Lofty nonsense reflects your own homemade Philosophy and’
Theology.  Lorraine is Right On about You.
    Fr. Corapi is the one who put his Butt on the line speaking out against evils such as Abortion, Addictions and the break up of the family and now he’s being attacked and you sit there like a Sanctimonious, Lily white
altar boy and say that we need to understand what suffering this woman experienced in life to make her act this way..  what ?  WHAT ? ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?  Suffering doesn’t give a person a free pass to attack and falsely accuse someone.

    What about Fr. Corapi’s suffering that he’s going through right now?  He’s like Jesus on the cross hanging
between 2 thieves and people walk by and make mocking comments while he hangs there suffering and he’s
innocent the whole time. I bet there were people hanging around the cross asking what suffering the Roman
executioners experienced in life to make them torture Jesus. TO MAKE THEM TORTURE JESUS !!

      Persons who voted for pro-choice, alias pro abortion politicians gave their endorsement and personal seal of approval of the killing and dismemberment of countless unborn children by virtue of their vote.
           
  There is no way around it.  By virtue of their vote they collaborate, participate and enable children to die.

Those same people now attack the great Defender of Life Fr. Corapi while they have stained hands.

Hey Samuel.

    Your comment about Fr. being brought back down to earth has the stench of being pro abortion.
Lorraine is correct about you.
Good job Lorraine..

David, You say I come across wishy-washy sometimes.  Is Christ wishy-washy when He states forgive them for they know not what they do as He is hanging on the Cross?  Why did Jesus say to forgive them?  I will answer it for you, because, He knew the story of their lives and knew they truly did not know what they were doing.  I will follow Jesus.  You do not see what I see and judge me by what you see.  I see what you see and it is easy to see it your way.  Every sin we commit collaborates with the culture of death no matter how small that sin is.  If you cannot see that then you cannot see what I see and this sight I have been given is not the sight of someone who is wishy-washy.  I did not want to see how all sin connects to the killing of every innocent creature on the face of the earth.  I did not want to see that buying some selfish little thing contributes to somebody’s suffering who suffering connects to another’s suffering and so on and so on.  If you cannot see that then we have nothing to discuss until you can.

Calumny always does lasting damage… that comment on another post hit home.  Because of personal experience I can appreciate this comment. However, this attack against Father Corapi is yet another sign of the spiritual we are in. It is good against evil.  It is our loving God against the evil, angry and vindictive devil.  Our weapons always are, and continue to be, prayers.  But we must not pray alone.  We must pray for each and all of us soldiers, in particular for our “generals and captains, sergeant, etc.”: meaning our deacons, priests, bishops, cardinals,especially for our Pope Benedict.  Please join me in prayer for each and all of them throughout the world.  St. Michael, please lead us in this battle!  In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

NO ONE KNOWS IF THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE TRUE OR FALSE. We cannot speak with absolute certainty about what took place. Only the “accuser” and the “accused” know what really happened. To defend or condemn either one or make excuses for their behavior is pointless. The most sensible response is to simply say we will wait for this to be revealed in due time and in the meantime, let us pray for all of those concerned.

What would happen if each of us could be suspended from our jobs, without pay, based upon unsubstantiated accusations of a single individual? What would happen if that suspension would remain in effect until an “investigation” into the charges was complete? Perhaps most of us would have enough savings to support ourselves until earnings were retroactively reinstated, while some would not.

That misses the point, which is that a single individual, motivated by a desire for “revenge” would be able to make arbitrary allegations that would result in almost immediate harm to the person wrongfully accused.

Thus, I repeat: Most of us, I would hope, based upon a sense of logic and human decency, BELIEVE that Father is innocent of these charges. The accuser, however, KNOWS he is innocent. Whatever misguided sense of satisfaction she receives from this should be outweighed by concern about the ramifications once she has been irrafutably exposed as a liar.

Prayer is most certainly called for, but actions extending from the wisdom of such prayer called for even more.

Would you please comment on the article by Bobbi Ruffatto on Fr. Corapi. 

The article claims that the lady who was dismissed from Santa Cruz Media, physically assaulted the above and another employeee and stated that she would destroy Fr. Corapi.

Thanx

The “big guns”? I brought out the TRUTH, which, even in a forum that should be entirely composed of CONSERVATIVES with a stong, right-wing PRO LIFE stance, some of the unneccesary responses I’ve received from those that don’t want to focus on FACT, indicate a Liberal bent.

There is NO place for “Pro Choice” “accuser-as-victim” LIBERALS in any community that claims to be CATHOLIC. Abortion is MURDER, and Catholics oppose MURDER.

If the truth hits a nerve, is it the fault of the speaker? No.

Once again: Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conlusion

Issue: A possibly mentally imbalanced woman who assaulted a co-worker at Santa Cruz Media and followed with a threat to “destroy” Fr. Corapi after being terminated from her job, has made an attempt to follow through with that threat. This wrong was compounded by the incorrect decision of the Archdiocese, to suspend Father pending investigation into these frivolous charges. The present damage is two-pronged: Being subject to slander as well as financial harm.

Rule: Slander is a false statement which causes damage to a person’s reputation which is spoken, as opposed to written. There are classes of statements called “slander per se” which are considered so harmful to a person’s reputation, that monetary damages are presumed.

Analysis: As to the matter at hand, if Father Corapi’s accuser lodged her slanderous allegations by phone to the diocese, she has perpetrated slander per se. If she put her accustions in writing, libel per se. While she may make an attempt to assert “qualified privilege” as a defense, claiming that as an employee of Santa Cruz Media she was a “journalist” (which would be a stretch) and the circumstances such that it was important that the “facts” be known in the public interest, qualified privilege does not protect statements that can be proven to have been made with malicious intent.

Conclusion: The Archdiocese took an improper stance in abetting the accuser’s slander/libel per se, with possible motives of some of the “powers that be” who have had a problem with Father’s style of forthrightness in the past. As the most, she should have been placated with an assurance of a private investigation, along with a recommendation or even referral to psychological and spiritual counseling. What has transpired to date is gross overreaction by way of the vilification of a good and innocent steward of God.

It is truly sad that this whole situation has to involve someone who has done so much for the Church.  As stated before, the Evil One does not rest and he has finally been able to lay his slimy grip on Father Corapi.  Father will come through this OK.  Anyone who loses faith in him or his preachings should re-evaluate their beliefs and make efforts to strengthen their Faith.  I identify with John Corapi, and believe and learn from Father Corapi.  There is the possibility that he has gotten a little vain in his attitude, and perhaps this situation is his wake-up call to get back down to earth and believe in himself again and not in his image.  To end, I believe in Father Corapi and think this is a battle between Satan and the people who has witnessed Father’s media.  God bless him and Damn the Devil.  Peace and God bless.

@ Lorraine
That is the most childish, pathetic and warped attempt at “Analysis: Conclusion” I’ve seen, ever.  By the way, you spend all your time leveling accusations at the woman, yet you don’t have the guts to attack the men who actually made the decision, the Bishop and the Religious Superior.  Chicken?  You sound just like a pro-aborter.

And by the way Perry Mason, slander and libel have to be made public.  She made her accusations to Bishops and the Religious superior - which would be considered a private class.  It was the Bishop, Superior and Corapi who made it public.  Nonsense logic you offer, which is what I would expect from someone who doesn’t think abortion is murder.

I Love you Father John, and your truthful talks.  You are in my prayers, and hope this nightmare will soon end. You have brought me much closer to our Lord and His Blessed Mother.

Lorraine,  We do not know what fact is as yet.  The fact is you are labelling people unjustly based on your subjective responses to what has happened to Fr. Corapi.  There is no vilification of Fr. Corapi.  Padre Pio could not say Mass for two years because of the miracles surrounding his life.  Was he being vilified?  No.  He is now a saint.  This situation brings out in each of us how much we are attached to this world and what we have yet to do to break these attachments that cause us and others suffering.  The Christian response to this situation is neither liberal nor conservative.  The Christian response is Christ on the Cross and not what others did to Him but what He did for us in showing us how to respond to those who do not know what they are doing.
Your response to those who differ from your response is to label them liberal which is not true.  You liberally use the term liberal to attack others and call them CINO.  That is mean and is no different than a physical attack except you are not face to face with them so it is easier for you to attack.  That is violent.  That is the way of the world.  God’s ways are not our ways.  What is the way of God in this situation?  What does God want for all of us to learn in this situation?

How many posts on this subject? GIVE IT UP and let the dust settle!!

@Patt - why ruin all the fun!?  Don’t read them if you don’t want to…..

It is not what happens to us,
but what we do with it.

It is called the Cross.

@Ronald King, you ask,

“Is Christ wishy-washy when He states forgive them for they know not what they do as He is hanging on the Cross?”

Did Jesus really say this, whether hanging on the cross or not? 

Luke 23: 34a, is the only location in my Catholic Bible for that statement by Christ.  BUT my bible has those words in brackets with this footnote:

“[Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them they know not what they do.’] This portion of v34 does not occur in the oldest papyrus manuscript of Lk and in other early Greek manuscripts and ancient versions of wide geographical distribution.” 

There were 4 biblical references listed for this verse, as well. 

Nm. 15, 27-31 which talks about sin and sin offering for atonement which is doable for “an individual who sins inadvertently.” “But anyone who sins defiantly, whether he be a native Israelite or a alien residing with you, insults the Lord, and shall be cut off from among his people.  Since he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken his commandment, he must be cut off.  He has only himself to blame.”

Ps 22, 19, “They look on and gloat over me….”

Mt 5, 44, “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”

Acts 7, 60, “Then he fell to his knees, and cried out in a loud voice, ’Lord, do not hold this sin against them,’ and when he said this, he fell asleep.”

While there may be some debate about whether this “saying” ever happened, I think one thing is clear, at least to me, from the biblical references, they are directed to the one persecute, not to everyone in general.

(But this is not what I wanted to comment on in what you said. This comment came out of wanting to understand the context within which Christ was attributed to saying this statement.  I found it interesting that he may not have, and thought I’d share what I had found with you.  I will comment on a couple other things that caught my attention that you said in your post to David, shortly.)

Anne,  The Lord’s Prayer states “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…”  The Sermon on the Mount states to love your enemies.  Christ did not condemn those who persecuted Him.  The justice he sought was the justice of conversion and salvation.  Christ knows we are out of our minds when we sin.  If we break one commandment we break them all.  If we harbor hatred and revenge for another(thoughts) we have already murdered him.  Justice is the mercy of God’s Love.
From The Lord written by Romano Guardini “Genuine forgiveness is far superior to creation, as love is to justice., and if the mystery of creation out of nothing is already impenetrable, all human concepts are completely lost when faced with the mystery of God’s power to render a sinner sinless.  Such creative power emanates from the pure liberty of love…And into a jew justice—naturally, as the Gospels clearly state it—a justice that is not of man…It is the gift of love, grace-givenshare in God’s justice.  However it is possible that God’s justice becomes my own (is not merely cast over me, or reflected by me, or attributed to me, but is genuinely mine) that is the impenentrable secret of the new existence.”
I live and pray for this every day.

@ Ronald King

You said to David, “I did not want to see how all sin connects to the killing of every innocent creature on the face of the earth.”

Did you really mean to say “every innocent creature on the face of the earth,” or did you mean every innocent “person?”

Then you said, “I did not want to see that buying some selfish little thing contributes to somebody’s suffering who suffering connects to another’s suffering and so on and so on.” 

Why do you attribute “suffering” to people who are making a living, providing for themselves and their families, by making some thing, or things, that people want to voluntarily buy for what ever their reason?

To think I used to wonder why some people accused “Catholics” of being part of a lunatic fringe. I have my answer now after reading posts by Samuel and Ronald.

Samuel: Stop wasting my time. You are clearly someone with issues possibly indicative of your need for professional help. How much law school have YOU had?

I utilize my legal training and knowledge to assist, which is much more than can be said for your nonsense. Stop attacking me for being right. I’m sure what you meant to say is: “Lorraine, thank you very much for your succinct and on point summation of the matter of unjust treatment of Fr. Corapi from a legal standpoint. I appreciate your explanation of the various tenets of defamation that Father is a victim of.”

Ronald, your abstract viewpoints are not those I subscribe to now nor would want to. I speak in the concrete, by way of fact.

Fact: The woman who wrongfully accused Fr. Corapi had an ulterior motive, to wit: Revenge for losing her job. She most certainly is culpable for lodging a wrongful accusation in order to damage Father’s good name. She could have, and perhaps should have, faced assault charges for her actions against the other Santa Cruz employee at the time she threatened Fr. Corpi with ruination.

Fact: As SOON as she accused Fr. of wrongdoing to members of the diocese, she LOWERED HIS ESTEEM IN THE EYES OF HIS PEERS, which, in fact, constitutes defamation. Don’t try to tell someone who does this for a living, what defamation is and is not. Attempts to this regard make you look foolish.

Fact: The diocese was wrong to suspend Father. If they had taken the time first to speak to the people at Santa Cruz and to Father himself, they would have understood the frivolity of the charges and nature of imbalance of the accuser. Their knee-jerk reaction was undoubtedly influenced by charges of failing to react to past accusations against priests, accusations with merit, unlike those lodged against Fr. Corapi.

Some of you people need to READ MORE and BICKER LESS. Don’t try to go on the attack against me simply because I broke the matter down factually and had the courage to state the diocese was wrong. They are not infallible. They are human, as we all are.

The female accuser lied. As such she must be compelled to retract her accusations. Sadly, the damage has been done, and it is this woman and this woman alone who will have to answer to God for what she has done. For the time being, focus needs to stay on the concrete and the present, not the abstract, the past and the future.

Father must be exonerated as soon as possible so that he may return to his stewardship duties, and those so quick to rush to judgement need to refrain themselves from false accusations, such as calling someone who is a PRO LIFE CONSERVATIVE an abortion advocate. Type less, read more and you’ll be able to avoid looking foolish and giving Catholics a bad name.

I trust I’ve made myself perfectly clear here.

Lorraine, I love Fr. Corapi but I am confused how you could say “The woman who wrongfully accused Fr. Corapi” or “the female accuser lied”. This is not factual as you claim. The facts are that WE DO NOT KNOW THE FACTS. If all of us pray for justice I do believe that is the right way to go with this situation.

This is a complete disgrace.  I am lucky to have attended two of Father Corapi’s lectures and he is wonderful man and fantastic speaker who is doing God’s work.  How anyone could accuse him of such terrible things is beyond me.  We love you Father Corapi and we will pray for you.  May God also help those we started this whole disaster.

@Lorraine
Yes, you have made it perfectly clear that Fr. Corapi is your personal Jim Jones.
Your postings are scary.  Out of thin air, you proudly accuse me of being pro-choice (in fact i’m a true Seamless Garment of Life champion - which is the true Catholic position).  But when I turn it back on you (sarcastically), you have a little hissy fit.
You accuse the woman of lying, yet you have no facts whatsoever to back that up.  You keep writing as if you know something, but you know nothing.  Where do you come up with “If they had taken the time first to speak to the people at Santa Cruz and to Father himself”?  Who said they didn’t talk to Fr. Corapi or Santa Cruz?  That would be absurd. Really, are you having hallucinations?  None of the stuff you are making up actually happened.
If you really had any legal training, you would understand that the claims by the Santa Cruz employee have no more factual merit than do the claims made by the woman (as far as we know) - it’s just he said/she said at this point.  Once again, and maybe you can get this through your head - what we do know for a fact is that the Bishop and Superior have seen enough merit in her accusation that they saw fit to suspend Fr. Corapi.
Although, I see now that you put Fr. Corapi above the hierarchy of the Church, ergo, he is your Jim Jones-like idol….very scary.
It’s so clear that you’re not an attorney, so you really should stop embarrassing yourself.

God Bless you Fr. Corapi for all the work you do to bring people closer to God.  I want people to continue to hear your inspiritional talks so I will be ordering your DVD and CDs and I will distribute them. We are all praying for you during this difficult time.

Lorraine, I am sorry to agree with you that your thinking is very concrete.  It explains why you cannot understand what I am saying.  It explains what is clear to me is abstract to you. I clearly understand your materialistic perspective and it is set in concrete.

Statement of Santa Cruz Media, Inc. Relative to Fr. Corapi’s Suspension can be found at:
http://www.fathercorapi.com/Webpage.aspx?WebpageId=82&CategoryId=25#letter

Jesus, Meek and Humble of Heart,
Make my heart like unto Thine.

Can we really believe the accuser’s credibility?  She is a disgruntled ex-employee.  There are two witnesses to her threat to destroy Fr. Corapi on her last day of employment at Santa Cruz.  Let’s pray that Fr. Corapi will be cleared of all accusations and return to his preaching ministry soon.

@Samuel - you sound like you are proud of what you said you are: “in fact i’m a true Seamless Garment of Life champion - which is the true Catholic position.”  What is a “true” Seamless Garment of Life champion and what is the “true” Catholic position?  Why do you like to describe yourself in those exact words?

@stillbelive - Sure I can see where my language would have seemed a bit over-enthusiastic in the prior post.  But put yourself in my shoes being randomly and strangely accused of favoring abortion, which I have always detested and abhorred.
By champion I only mean one who argues in favor of and acts in concert with a particular cause or issue.
I’m suspecting that you are aware already that the term Seamless Garment is reflecting a consistent ethic of life from conception to natural death, including but not limited to, abortion.

I’m hoping Fr. Corapi doesn’t accept any stress over this. He should just go Hunting or Fishing until they get done doing whatever it is their doing. This goes with the territory when Your willing to stand up.

We must at all times Pray,Pray,And Pray !! Father Corapi is and always will be a CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH and JESUS IS THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS - PERIOD ! Father Corapi will be blessed with the strength he needs ! JESUS I TRUST IN YOU ! :)

There is a weird thread in SOME of the posts here.  I see people saying ‘even if Father is guilty, then we just need to forgive him and move on’, or ‘it was the devil who made him do it.’  On the other hand, I see the same people saying that if the accuser turns out to be a liar, then we we ought to string her up.
Sounds like a kind of double standard to me.

Samuel, thank you for your reply. 

You said in your reply - “But put yourself in my shoes being randomly and strangely accused of favoring abortion, which I have always detested and abhorred.” 

I can totally understand what an uncharitable accusation that is and how hurtful that can feel coming from someone of your own faith who supposedly abhors abortion as much as you do and is supposedly on the same side. 

And I know you can probably feel the pain and frustration of prolifers, like wise, who are slandered and accused of not caring for life after it is born.  Do you know that the father of the term you said you were a “champion of,” the “Seamless Garment,” was the one who enabled such remarks, for the first time, to be thrown in the faces of the original prolifers who fought the battles against the pro-choicers for the 11 to 12 years before that term was ever used?  Do you know that the father of the “Seamless Garment” that you said was the “true Catholic position” was more concerned with the politics of the prolife issue than he was with the spirituality of it?  Do you know that the father of the “Seamless Garment” was concerned more with soothing the consciences of his Catholic flock than he was in ending abortion?  Do you know the father of the “Seamless Garment” was more concerned about saving the Democrat Party than he was stopping the murder of the unborn?  Do you know that the father of the “Seamless Garment” thought the motives of the fighters of abortion, up until his “Seamless Garment,” were not pure enough to be fighting this fight? 

Can you imagine how painful it is to know all of that, while at the same time realizing that tens of 1,000,000s of babies continued to be murdered because of the obstacles this man, and that term, placed in the way to saving them?

Yes, as a college student and seminarian I knew the father of the term “Seamless Garment” personally.  From my experience I feel he was/is unjustly much maligned for his efforts to challenge the pro-life movement to consider the Church’s demand to respect life from conception to natural death.
So, we disagree and suspect always will, but that’s what I knew the father of “Seamless Garment” to be.

Yes, THE PROCESS is largely the problem.  Admittedly and clearly there are some deeply sinful priests.

But there are others, probably certainly unjustly accused.

There is an excellent priest of the Joliet diocese who has been “in limbo” for 5+ years having been accused by 2 brothers with long criminal histories.  Their scurrilous accusation is so petty and inconsequential that you have to wonder about who is persecuting whom.

@Samuel - “I feel he was/is unjustly much maligned for his efforts to challenge the pro-life movement to consider the Church’s demand to respect life from conception to natural death.”

Samuel - it wasn’t HIS movement.  But he made it HIS.  He changed the definition of “prolife” to something it never was coined to mean.  The word “prolife” was coined to counter the pro-abortionist calling themselves “pro-choice.”  There is no “Seamless Garment” when it comes to life and death.  He took political issues and changed the definition of the word “prolife” for Catholics to include, non life and death issues that don’t necessarily have a moral dimension to them.  The Protestants kept prolife to mean what it was coined to mean - against abortion and for a Human Life Amendment.  You don’t hear Catholics ever talking about a HLA anymore, but you hear them talking about a right to healthcare, to a decent wage, collective bargaining, to housing, to education, to illegal immigration (but they never use the word “illegal) etc, etc, etc, and oh yes, against abortion.

Interesting, isn’t it, that the opponents of prolife kept their name as is - “pro-choice” and its meaning (for choice of abortion) and they kept on winning.  The father of the Seamless Garment allowed his concerns for his flock’s addiction to feeling “morally superior” than their opponents (and I don’t mean the pro-abortionist) the Republicans, that he sacrificed the future lives of the unborn so that Catholics could feel comfortable remaining in and voting for the pro-abortion party.  Bernardin’s misguided and wrong headedness for the peace of mind of the living - his flock – (he was the Cardinal from the Archdiocese of Chicago, you know) contributed to the murders of millions of lives we Catholics profess to believe every Sunday were created by God. 

But sense you knew the father of the “Seamless Garment” personally, perhaps you can give us some insights to the man that may help me to be less critical of him.  Whatever possessed him to think that his concept of “prolife” would result in the end of abortion?  Didn’t he realize that if Catholics had this emotional attachment to being Democrat that adding so-called “social justice” issues to the definition of prolife would only strengthen that attachment because of their mistaken ideas that Democrat care more about people than Republicans?  Abortion-on-demand only exists today because of the pro-abortion party.  And Catholics are its single largest voting block. History has demonstrated that he erred in his reasoning.  So why is the Church continuing to promote social justice if life is supposedly its primary concern?

What happened to Fr. Corapi is just more battle Satan has engaged in with our Church.  Satan has been winning on the frontal attack with the misguided help of the father of the “Seamless Garment,” a man who his own mother always told him to, “Wipe that smug look off your face.”  Now Satan is covering his flank by disarming and neutralizing Fr. Corapi who has been making inroads on so many Catholic minds and others.  Fr. Corapi’s threat to Satan was not as serious as was the threat that existed before the “Seamless Garment,” but still, when you have your opponent locked in a stalemate, any further ground you can win, you go for it.  That is what we are seeing in the Church today.  First, the sexual abuse scandal to lay the ground work, and now picking off individual threats like Fr. Corapi one at a time.  Is there any Catholic better known in the country than him?

God our Father, walk through our house and take away all the illnesses of the world, protect and help Fr.Corape, help him and help us, please watch over him and our families in the name of Jesus. Amen.

I pray that Fr. Corapi hasn’t fallen, but if he did, it doesn’t change anything for me.  He is human, he will fall. Priests are targeted and attacked continuously.  We are all called to be holy and saints, we all fall short of this.
I love Fr. Corapi,  as I love my own father, mother, a brothers, my children.
I’m praying for him, and the accuser.
I wanted to let Fr. Corapi know that strong Catholics will not be swayed by this, we support him, we love him,
we pray for him, we stand beside him.  He is not alone!!!!!!!
We must also remember, he is innocent until proven otherwise.
Fr. Corapi’s DVD’s are amazing, his love for the Church is remarkable, his knowledge, his personal testimony,
he is special for us Catholics.  He has brought me and so many other people closer to God.  I am forever grateful to him.
mm

@stillbelieve
Sure I’m well aware of all your argument points, which is why I said I suspect we’ll never agree.
I am curious though, if you wouldn’t mind sharing which faith you currently belong to.  I don’t mean any disrespect, but I can’t quite tell from your post.  Thanks

@Samuel. 

You said, “Sure I’m well aware of all your argument points, which is why I said I suspect we’ll never agree.”

I’m not “arguing” with you, Samuel. 

I was responding to your request for my understanding of how you felt when you said the following, “But put yourself in my shoes being randomly and strangely accused of favoring abortion, which I have always detested and abhorred.”

I answered you saying, “I can totally understand what an uncharitable accusation that is and how hurtful that can feel coming from someone of your own faith who supposedly abhors abortion as much as you do and is supposedly on the same side.”

Then I added, “And I know you can probably feel the pain and frustration of prolifers, like wise, who are slandered and accused of not caring for life after it is born.”

But instead of extending a sympathetic hand of understanding of how we, the “accused,” must have felt being maligned and misrepresented by someone supposedly on our side, you went right to defending the “accuser,” the person who maligned and misrepresented the entire prolife movement who, up until that time, stood with the Church and had been fighting for the unborn and against the entire pro-abortion movement, which included the media, since Roe v Wade.

Similarly, in the Fr Corapi situation, you appear to defend the accuser by saying nobody knows any facts even when the employer of the accuser makes a public statement in writing stating that she was a disgruntled, fired employee who assaulted the vice president of the company and another employee, and verbally threatened to destroy Fr. Corapi.  You stated in a post to Lorraine that, “If you really had any legal training, you would understand that the claims by the Santa Cruz employee have no more factual merit than do the claims made by the woman (as far as we know) - it’s just he said/she said at this point.”

You are consistent, Samuel - no understanding or sympathy for the accused, unless the “shoes” happen to be on your feet.

As for my “current faith” – it’s the same one I was born and raised in – on the south side of Chicago and eventually Joliet, IL - and practiced up until I went away to college, but returned to, afterwards, when I got married and started having children.  But I have supplemented my faith while away from the Church listening to radio preachers like Amando Pablo and Focus on the Family (who was not a preacher) and started my journey back to Catholicism via Protestant friends and channels where I saw each had their good points, but enabled me to see that the faith I came from had all of their individual good points and more.  I was also born and raised, a pro-union, liberal Democrat who almost knocked over a motorcycle officer slowly passing by as I reached up to shake JFK’s hand as his motorcade was pulling into a parking structure after one of my older brothers introduced him to the crowed at a rally in the center of downtown Joliet during his campaign for President.  In addition, my parents came from South Bend and had a close connection to the University of Notre Dame, where my father attended a couple years, my uncle became a Holy Cross priest and eventually Procurator General of the Holy Cross Orders stationed in Rome, and later a Bishop, and then Archbishop, and an aunt who worked as a nurse all her life in the Notre Dame infirmary.

I read in my prayer book that our Lady asked us to always pray for priests. Now more than ever we have to pray for priests, Jesus ministers on earth, the devil’s enemies. We have to turn to Jesus, the Prince of peace. His way is the cross. We need more prayers, fasting and sacrifices which the devil, the prince of chaos and lies, hates.

Cardinal Bernardin did the Catholic Church and its followers one of the biggest disservices in history by reinventing the meaning of the “seamless garment” to give cover to pro-abortion supporting Catholics. If he hadn’t done that then maybe thousands of unborn lives would have been saved.

Wondering what “the woman” was fired for!!

@stillbelieve
That’s a great and rich life story, you’ve certainly earned your stripes.  I too have a close connection with CSC/ND having spent two of my ND years at Old College and the seminary across the lake.  I also did some brief student teaching at Notre Dame High School in Niles (Fr Gene Burke brought me in there), and many of my closest friends to this day (including my wife of 22 years) are a result my history with them.  There are a lot of humble heroes in the history of that Congregation.  As you know, there aren’t a whole heck of a lot of CSC Archbishops - which one was your uncle?  It kind of sounds like Cardinal O’Hara might have fit your timeline - or maybe I’m miscalculating.

St Peter today was put on administrative leave. This was a result of Jeffrey Anderson introducing a wrongful death suit on behalf of Annanias and Sapphira.(cfActs). In the lawsuit, redress is being sought for these two victims of clerical abuse,their deaths, at the hand of St.Peter.
The lawsuit looks to recover the lost assets of the two victims, plus interest. Responding to this lawsuit, church officials have removed St. Peter’s name from the canon. St. Peter’s Basilica will be known as “That Big Church in the Vatican.” Also named in the lawsuit was Andrew and James. The bronze statue of St Peter in the Vatican will be covered until this issue is resolved. St Paul was unavailable for comment.

One of the reasons Santa Cruz Media is a private for-profit is so it can also act as a poltical PAC, contributing to politician’s campaigns, at least one of which is one of the 20 most corrupt in Congress!

Curious, many of the same Congressmen are the same ones that receicve huge contributions (in Nevada!) from owners/operatiors of casinos!

Didn’tFr. Corapi use to work for casino owners when in Las Vegas?

@Samuel

Small world, huh.  My uncle was Edward Heston.  Unfortunately, his being stationed in Rome didn’t allow me to have much time with him.  But the times I did have as a young boy left the impression he was a gentle, warm, kind, confident man with a sparkle in his eyes, a smile on his face almost all the time, and a robust laugh.

@Samual

What, no thoughts on the rest of what I wrote? said with a smile

In discussing this matter with a friend of mine who is a priest, he explained that pursuant to the formation of the TX charter of the diocese to which Father Corapi reports, his suspension WAS, as I PREVIOUSLY STATED, erroneous. The intent of the “rule” the diocese hung its hat on, was to provide for expedient investigation of allegations of wrongdoing of priests BY OR ON BEHALF OF A MINOR CHILD.

Accordingly, let’s tighten up the summation of the matter:

A disgruntled female former employee of Santa Cruz Media lodged FALSE AND DEFAMATORY allegations against Fr. Corapi, in keeping with a THREAT she made after being terminated from her job, to “destroy” him.

Since the WRONGFUL complaint was lodged by an ADULT and NOT a MINOR, an ensuing investigation should NOT have involved suspending Father or ANNOUNCING SAME.

This is no more than a misguided effort by the TX diocese to do “damage control” in the face of prior allegations of cover-ups, misusing the intent of the charter and using Fr. Corapi as a scapegoat. The matter should have never gone public, especially given the issues surrounding the allegation.

I trust that the above is sufficient to silence the wing nuts in here, who seem to want an excuse to participate in bicker-fest.

Ronald, I think I truely do understand what you are saying and I’m glad I conversed with you briefly, previously.  You are right.  This woman needs forgiveness but we NEED to forgive her.  Period.  Or we won’t be forgiven.  God will make something greater out of Fr. C’s apostolate by this woman’s sins.  He’s a big boy, combat wise, he can take it.  I think what Lorraine and many others are focusing on is the fact that the consequences of sin still exist, and they demand justice for them.  Which is very understandable.  Something interesting I heard Fr. Know-It-All on Relevant Radio say this morning, was that Christ used powerlessness to defeat evil.  We can either choose to use power to control outcomes or we can relinquish our power and accept our lot.  Using power to control outcomes will consume a person and turn them into the very thing they are fighting against, as it looks like you have implied a few comments back.  I think it is hard for people to understand giving up power and ulitmately control.  It’s easy to see it as mamby pamby and pacifist like.  However, it’s not if you speak the Word of Truth to those who are sinning and using the force of power against you.  The truth of “turn the other cheek” is that you stand on equal ground, as a person equal in diginity, and you stand in humility (being honest to yourself about yourself, and knowing all your strengths and weaknesses) and speaking the Truth to your aggressor.  Dr. Martin Luthar King was a great modern example of this.  As we ALL like to be forgiven so must we all forgive.  Who does not desire mercy for their sins?  ...even if/ especially if their minds aren’t quite right.

Forgiveness is fine, but MUST be preceeded by REPENTANCE. This woman told a lie, and in so doing, did damage to Father’s reputation, some of which may be irreversible in the eyes of some so quick to suspect the worst.

Saying that Father is a “big boy” and “can take it” is of little help to him. Why should he HAVE to “take it”? The fact that this woman has been able to do the damage she’s done by way of ONE false allegation is very disconcerting.

I wasn’t too happy with the conduct of my FORMER parish Pastor, by way of very un-Catholic-like treatment of my CURRENT parish Pastor, who was previously in the prior parish. Does this discontent mean I can just pick up the phone, call my Archdiocese and maliciously lodge a false allegation against him, just to “get even”? After all, THIS woman got away with it. Why can’t others?

This is not the time to wax spiritual abstracts. It is time for people close to the accuser to compel her to RETRACT AND REPENT.

AFTER which FORGIVENESS can be given.

@Lorraine McQueeney
“Since the WRONGFUL complaint was lodged by an ADULT and NOT a MINOR, an ensuing investigation should NOT have involved suspending Father or ANNOUNCING SAME.”
Where did you see that it was proven a wrongful complaint?  That would be great to know!!  Thanks

Lorraine, forgiveness is not a condition of repentance.  You’re confussing forgiveness with reconciliation between parties.  There does not need to be repentance on the part of the guilty party in order for US to forgive.  Only God has the authority to withhold forgiveness on condition of repentance and dispence justice.  God calls us to forgive others as a condition of forgiveness for our sins.  Read CCC 2838-2845.  It explains this completely.  I think where you go wrong, comes from your misunderstanding of what forgiveness is and isn’t.  It is NOT an approval or denial of the sin.  It is NOT forgetting about it or pretending it didn’t happen.  It IS an act of the will to let go of the emotions tying one to that act of sin.  It IS a complete acknowlegement of the sin and of the damages caused by that sin.  It is NOT exacty revenge towards the sinner.  It IS extending underserved mercy towards the sinner.  What you seem to be looking for is a Church that acts like our government and punishes those who misbehave much in the same manner as our current US system works.  That is not what Christ established.

Jennifer,  Thank you for taking the time to consider what I have written.  I am in total agreement with you.
Lorraine, I am sorry that you call people “wing nuts” you do not understand.  That is malicious and it harms you by expressing that because it hardens your heart.  “Spiritual abstracts” is a term you use because you do not see the “spiritual reality” that others see.  Is the Eucharist a “spiritual abstract” or a “spiritual reality”?  Is God’s Love a “spiritual abstract” or a “spiritual reality”?  The same questions exist for the Immaculate Conception, Virgin Birth, Heaven, hell, every mystery in the Rosary, etc.  Which “reality” do you want to live in?  The “reality” we choose to live in gives us a different perspective and different choices from which to act.

Very good point Jennifer.  I guess the most obvious lesson is that Jesus did not demand that the Romans repent before he forgave them.
@Lorraine - why are you asking people close to the woman to compel her to repent when we don’t even know if she’s telling the truth?  What a horrifying experience it would be for her if she is telling the truth and everyone she knows is turning on her.

Abigail, God does require repentance (that is what set King David apart from the others).  We are not God, so we are required to forgive regardless of repentance on the part of those who sin agianst us.  The reason being is that not one of us is without sin.  We are ALL sinners.  So we are all called to forgive as a condition of our forgiveness.  As for the guilt of this woman only God knows her heart and how culpable she is.  Based on what information has been given so far it is reasonable to assume that Fr. C is innocent of the allegations charged against him.

Jennifer, yes, God does require repentance, but that is not a pre-requisite for our need to forgive.  But I guess my other point is similar to the one above.  People keep saying that it’s reasonable to consider that she’s a liar - but I haven’t seen anyone explain what this evidence/information is to support that supposition.  I too hope that is the case, but I have no reason to presume either way.  Please do share…..

There are people who ‘show up’, are outwardly very religious, but inwardly believe in things that are not true to our faith.  My ordeal turned out to be a shared experience by others who were damaged by the same individual in her former dioceses.  There were numerous complaints and concerns voiced to our diocese, and nothing was done.  A priest told me he was going in once we had a new archbishop.

She goes about with an attitude that nobody can touch her.  Some day Christ Himself will face her.

We are living in times where people lie about others, get away with it, and love grows cold.

In this case, if Fr Corapi is proven innocent, he will go on.  But we need to pray for him more and for all priests considering some of the concerns by those who heard him speak.

I will pray for Fr. Coropi.  I believe in his innocence.
I will also pray for his accuser.  She has committed
a horrible offense that even if recanted, has already
smeared Fr. Coropi’s dear name. 
They both will be in my prayers.

Abigail, Someone else has already posted, several times, what Santa Cruz Media has put out there regarding these accusations and to the character of this woman making the accussatons.  Scroll up through the comments.  It’s posted in its entirety above for all to see.

Once again we have breaking news, accusations of conduct unbecoming a priest, have been waged against a servant of the Catholic Church, Father John Corapi.  Whether these charges are credible or not has yet to be determined, however the damage to Father Corapi’s reputation is severe and irreversible.

When we look at the sin of Adam and Eve there are two dimensions to it, one is the motive, and the second is the act itself disobedience.  The serpent’s motive was to put God in the state of suspicion, and he did that by sowing the seed of doubt in the minds of Adam and Eve. 
Jesus knew Satan he spoke of him a number of times he called him “The Father of lies,” a “liar from the beginning.” 

Unfortunately there are bad people and there are evil people in the world.  A bad person steals things kills, an evil person may not do any of those things, an evil person destroys goodness in others, they corrupt destroy faith morals. 

A web of suspicion has been sown around Father Corapi that will follow him the rest of his life.  We don’t know who is the liar and who is telling the truth, only God and they know who is the liar and who is telling the truth.

I feel sorry for both Father Corapi and his accuser, but most of all I feel sorry for our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is He that has been the most offended. 

What ever the outcome let us pray for both Father Corapi and his accuser, each are in need of healing.

God bless Fr. Corapi as he has been chosen to carry this cross.  Our prayers, especially the beloved Rosary, will help ease his burden and bring about a quick resolution. As for the accuser, The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is POWERFUL when praying for conversion of hearts! I suggest we all spend more time praying than analyzing. Mercy=Love.

@Jennifer

“This woman needs forgiveness but we NEED to forgive her.  Period.”

She did not “trespass” or “sin” against me, why do I need to forgive her?  We are spectators to what she said and to what the church superiors
have done.  We may not like what has happened and is happening, but the injury was to the “accused.”  He is the aggrieved one who has been harmed.  Seems to me that the injured party, who wants to be forgiven their wrongs, is the one who has to forgive her.  And this all is predicated on the basis that he was wronged by her.  If it happens to be the other way around, then she would have to forgive him for trespassing against her if she wanted to be equally forgiven for her wrongs.  The rest of us are simply spectators at this spectacle, no different than sitting in the stands at a baseball game, liking and disliking what we are seeing being played out on the field.

In response to Jennifer
I used to think like you…you know, the spectator thing.  I have a website for you.  I don’t think what affects our neighbor and most especially our Priests are something we may just sit back and view
like a baseball game.  PRAY! 
Here is the website, which is a powerful testimony.

http://testimony-polo.blogspot.com/  cut and paste into your search line.
you can bypass introduction and go straight to “Testimony of Gloria Polo”
It’s lengthy, but you can read in several sittings.
Thank you.

Stillbelieve, the sin of one effects everyone.  WWe are all connected spiritually as we are all one in Christ.  The most obvious effects of the guilty parties sin that effects us is the domino effect it has had on everyone else here to sin against Charity by hardening their hearts towards the guilty party.  Look at some of the comments placed here.  But even more than that is the effect the sin committed has on our society as a whole to affirm it in it’s sinful state.  Once again look at the comments here.  The ripple effects of it.  The implications of one person’s sins is enormous.  Thank God for the proclamation of the Kingdom, the jubilee year, for taking us on a new Exodus, for becoming our Passover Lamb, for becoming the Bread of the Presence, our Manna from Heaven.  Thank you Jesus for defeating our enemy by your death and resurrection!  AMEN!!!!!

I unconditionally support Fr.John Corapi 100%. I will refer to him as innocent unless proven otherwise. Padre Pio was “iced” suspended from active/public ministry for many years by his Order OFM.CAP with The Holy Office’s approval. Not to mention basically under house arrest.  Many of the claims were similar against Padre Pio. All to be proven baseless,without merit and just damaging egregious lies.Then to be totally exonerated. May Fr. Corapi rise above this crisis as Padre Pio did. May the Prince of the Heavenly Host St.Michael the Archangel defend Fr.John Corapi in this battle.  Ave Maria

Yvonne, I think you meant to reply to “stillbelieve”, not me.

OK Jennifer, I read what the Santa Cruz people had to say.  What is says to me is that the Santa Cruz people think she’s a bit of a crackpot who had a very ugly exit.  That doesn’t mean that a crackpot couldn’t have been involved in an illicit affair, does it?
I hope Fr Corapi come out clear and it happens quickly, but I think it’s pretty hypocritical for us us to claim innocent until proven guilty for Fr Corapi, and then turn around a condemn the woman out of hand before its all settled
Maybe I’m not seeing it clearly

@Jennifer

“Stillbelieve, the sin of one effects everyone.  WWe are all connected spiritually as we are all one in Christ.” 

So I have to ask God to forgive ME because the Democrats want to keep abortion-on-demand the law-of-the-land even though I removed my name from their registration rolls 37 years ago and haven’t voting for one since because of their fighting to protect abortion-on-demand?

No, Abigail, you see it clearly.

@yvonne rojas

I read some and schemed through most of Gloria Polo’s testimony stopping here and there to catch the gist.  This is the experience of a person who was Catholic in name only.  She remained so only because of her fear of Hell.  But even then, she did everything sinfully she wanted when she was told the Hell doesn’t exist.  My life, my spiritual life is totally opposite to hers.  So, I can’t identify with her dramatic experience dying, and what she discovered about the hereafter, especially from the perspective of how she was living, and coming back to life.

what amazes me,is the stand of EWTN;they have already punished him,before
the investigation is processed;his teaching was great
for many years;now it is not?!Mother Angelica would know how to react to
the actions od some misguided bishops.

@stillbelieve
That’s fascinating about your uncle.  I have to admit I know very little about him but am very intrigued.  Many years ago I read the two volumes on Basil Moreau that Archbishop Heston had translated into english.  It still graces the one shelf in my office dedicated to books about or by CSC’s.

There is that old curse something to the effect of “may you live in interesting times.”  If I’m not mistaken he would have been in the middle of interesting times when serving in Rome during the second Vatican Council?

Sorry Jennifer,
You’re right.  My post was meant for stillbelieve, who didn’t read far enough into the testimony of Gloria Polo.  The point being that the allegations of this woman against Fr. Coropi, true or not, does affect those of us who love and admire this priest and all priests. Slander, true or not, is an ugly thing, but I don’t really believe Satan will win this battle…not with with Our Blessed Mother watching over him.  As I’ve heard Fr. Coropi call her “My Momma”.
Fr. Coropi, if you are reading this, I guess you already know there’s a multitude of us praying this will all be over soon!

OK, I can’t hold it in and I know I’m going to get attacked mercilessly.  But, he’s just a man. All priests are just men.  THey don’t deserve to be treated like delicate porcelain dolls and the normals ones don’t want to be treated as such either.  They are not particularly more religious or closer to God than the rest of us can be.  They are well trained to perform sacraments and that’s about it.
So I suggest you stop adoring them and hold them to account when it is is appropriate.  If the devil wants to effect our society, he’ll be wise to go after business titans and politicians.

O’K Annie,

    You should have held it in and thought about it some more. Yes a priest is just a man and a 100 dollar bill
is just paper however the 100 dollar bill is an instrument that brings you food, water and the necessities of life
so you give live.  So to a Priest is an instrument or vessel through which Jesus chose to make himself present to us in the Eucharist through his hands so we can have the food to give us Eternal Life. JESUS died on the cross
to give us the Mass and the Eucharist. The priests hands bring us the waters of Baptism, the waters of Eternal
Life. The Priests hands bring to us the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that we wont die an Eternal Death.
  We don’t adore priests but we do adore Jesus who is made present to us at adoration through the priest.
      However if you go to Casinos you will see people sitting before gambling machines for hours and days
in a hypnotic trancelike state adoring the 100 BILL.
    Annie certainly priests today are not treated like porcelain dolls no way, no how! On your last day on
earth you wont want a well trained Baseball player,Lawyer,Doctor or Movie star looking down on your sick bed
do you? They will be just as useless as porcelain dolls no closer to God than any other piece of Porcelain.
    I don’t know about you but 90 seconds before I die I will want a Priest who by JESUS COMMAND Baptised me, forgave me, brought me communion and will administer to me the Last Rites so that I will have Eternal
Life with Jesus and all my Loved ones in Heaven, OH HOW BEAUTIFUL IT WILL BE.
  Yes Annie, Priests are just men but they are more than just men so don’t ask me to treat them like a
Porcelain doll that you take down and put on a shelf when you want to, no closer to God that a rock. Their hands bring me Jesus and the Seven Sacraments that bring Eternal Life.
    No Annie if the Devil wants to effect our society he’ll will get people to disrespect the Priesthood of
Jesus and to treat Cavalierly the Seven Sacraments and ” THAT’S ABOUT IT”.

Sorry second line down should have said ( so you can live )

Stillbelieve, I don’t think you get it, either that or you are playing coy with me.  Yes, you have to forgive the Democrats their sins if you want God to forgive you yours.  By forgiving others of their sins we become open to mercy thereby which God can forgive us our sins.  Our forgiving others is a prerequisite (condition) of receiving forgiveness from God of our own sins.  No one can enter Heaven, which is a communion of person’s, while still binding others to their sins.  That’s why in the Mass we make peace with those around us after we’ve said the Our Father and before we receive the Eucharist.  It points to this heavenly reality.  We are to forgive others before we can receive the mercy of God and come into communion with Him and everyone else in His Body (The Church).  As an aside, even today’s readings are about this very topic!  Please, for your own sake, read the CCC 2838-2845, or talk to a priest.  What I tell you is true.  It is exactly what Christ taught, and what our Mother the Church continues to teach.  You have to forgive everyone!  Especially those who do really evil things.

@stillbelieve - (Your Previous Post)
“So I have to ask God to forgive ME because the Democrats want to keep abortion-on-demand the law-of-the-land even though I removed my name from their registration rolls 37 years ago and haven’t voting for one since because of their fighting to protect abortion-on-demand?”
Not looking for an argument, just throwing out a thought.  I find your post perhaps compelling in that should we be asking for God’s forgiveness for our own personal failure to stop the slaughter of the millions of his children?  Even though we vote and picket and evangelize against abortion - you could say that with every murdered baby it marks a failure on our part.
Maybe some of you do ask for forgiveness for our failure to stop abortion?  The more I think about it, maybe I should be doing tat.  Or maybe at least acknowledging in my prayers that I realize I’ve failed in some respect and asking for more strength and wisdom to be more effective.
I don’t know, you just made me think…

In the U.S. and Europe most of the complaints against priests were made expecting lot of money for damages. The complainants do not believe in repentence and forgiveness. They want to exploit the situations. MY one question is ” WHY THE COMPLAINANT DID NOT COMPLAIN THE NEXT DAY OF THE INCIDENT ? WHY WAIT FOR MONTHS AND YEARS ARE THEY NOT GUILTY OF ABETTING ?

K.C. - your question can’t possibly be serious, can it?

@stillbelieve
You asked me regarding Fr. Corapi, “Is there any Catholic better known in the country than him?”  I would have to say that hands down in this country, not just us who read these articles, one of the better know Catholics is Fr. Ted Hesburgh, c.s.c.  Not even close! :-)

1) Bobbi Ruffatto, vice president of operations at Santa Cruz Media, Inc. and Father Corapi’s female employee, in Kalispell, Montana, charged in a posting on Father Corapi’s Facebook page March 25 that Bishop William M. Mulvey of Corpus Christi, Texas, acted improperly, according to canon lawyers consulted by the company.

2) Marty Wind, director of communications for the Diocese of Corpus Christi, disputed Ruffatto’s claim that Bishop Mulvey placed Father Corapi on leave. He said the action was taken by officials of the priest’s order, the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity in Robstown, Texas.

3) Father Corapi was placed on administrative leave following an accusation of misconduct by a former Santa Cruz Media employee, a company owned by Father Corapi.

4) Calls and emails from Catholic News Service to Santa Cruz Media requesting comment from Father Corapi and Ruffatto were not returned.

5) Online records with the Montana secretary of state list John Corapi as the registered agent for the company. A company with the same name also is registered in Nevada and online records in the secretary of state’s office there indicated John A. Corapi holds the office of president, treasurer, secretary and director.

6) Father Corapi’s employee Bobbi Ruffatto writes: “We are a secular corporation and not affiliated with the Catholic Church in any way,” the company official said. “As such, we are not under the jurisdiction of any bishop or other official in the Catholic Church, although we have the utmost respect for church authority.”

Uh oh…...

This is so typical.  EX employee rants!  That says a lot.  Yes, I wonder what she was fired for?  Say what you want, but Father Corapi does tell it like it is and has brought a lot of people back to their Catholic roots, including me.  For me, who would rather stay at home on a Saturday night to listen to Father Corqapi than go out, says a lot!!  Because he tells it like is, he’s probably made many people uncomfortable with the truth.  I truly believe he’s innocent.  I am angry at some of the people who post here and refer to him as “Corapi”!  He is still a priest so call him “Father corapi”.

@Jennifer

“Please, for your own sake, read the CCC 2838-2845, or talk to a priest.  What I tell you is true.”

I have read it.  I read it again before replying to you.  And I have just now re-read the “...as we forgive those who trespass against us” (2842-2845), and I read all the definitions in the dictionary on “trespass.” I haven’t looked up “debt” but expect that will again be placed in the context of “something owed to another.”  They all refer to someone violating either a moral or social ethic (sin) to make an unwarranted or uninvited incursion…against a property, territory, or rights of another.  Someone not allowed, who is walking across the property down the street signed with “no trespassing,” is not trespassing against me, but the person whose property it is.  I have no “legal” injury in that act.  The accuser of Fr. C is not making an accusation against me, so she is not committing sin that harms me, but only herself and the good name of Fr. C, and may unjustly bring discredit against aspects of the priesthood.  Fr. C is the one harmed directly by her “sin” and is obligated to forgive her if he hopes for God to forgive his sins against others.  And those in the priesthood who indirectly may be harmed may also need to forgive her.  Someone not directly involved may hold uncharitable thoughts or feelings against her which could be harmful to their peace and soul.  If they did have such thoughts and feelings - then it is best for them to ask God for forgiveness for such feelings.  But if someone is not directly or indirectly affected by this act then they have “no skin in the game.”  The true act of forgiving is when one has been personally harmed by someone else’s act of sinning against them.  Someone murdered can’t be asked to forgive their murderer, because they are not alive to do so, but close relatives have been harmed emotionally, financially and some even physically, who have to battle with themselves to fight their natural, human feelings in an effort to be able to feel forgiveness for the person who murdered their loved one.  That’s real forgiveness out of which such persons can ask God to forgive their sins in a like manner. 

To be continued….

@Jennifer

…forgiveness continued.

“That’s why in the Mass we make peace with those around us after we’ve said the Our Father and before we receive the Eucharist.  It points to this heavenly reality. We are to forgive others before we can receive the mercy of God and come into communion with Him and everyone else in His Body (The Church).”

Please forgive me but this is a phony pretend act that is performed during Mass by using pseudo-psychological group dynamics for the purpose of extracting a phony spiritual experience.  It is artificial.  I don’t thing the forgiveness of sin can be done artificially.

I’ll tell you why I have come to find this “act” during Mass so meaningless, and in a way, so wrong.  Basically, it artificially allows one to believe they are excused for what they do that violates what they professed to believe and pray for.  There are two occasions before the “sign of peace” during Sunday Mass where we are asked to stand and voluntarily say some things that are very important to our being Christian.  One is our Profession of Faith; the other is the Lord’s Prayer.  There are statements made in the Profession of Faith, and statements prayed for in the Lord’s Prayer that are said out loud in common with each other, that are diabolically opposed by conducted performed outside church by at least half of those making those statements. 

The Profession of Faith contains the bare minimum tenets one must believe in order to be a Christian, and one must believe every, single one of them in order to call themselves - Christian These minimum tenets were assembled 1700 years or so ago by the Church leaders.  One of those beliefs is in the “Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.”  Yet, half or more of those people saying they believe that today have their names registered in another worldly organization that is diabolically opposed to what they profess to believe every Sunday. 

In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray to the Father for His “will be done on earth” and to “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”  Here, again, half or more of those people praying that prayer in Sunday or weekday Masses, or during the Rosary, or whenever, not only have their name registered in an organization that is diabolically opposed to what they are praying for, but they actually support having people from that organization rule over us all.

This serious religious schizophrenia has been going on for over 38 years in the Church and there is no end in sight, no matter how many times people have been sharing in the “sign of peace.”  In fact, the Church leadership is making it even worse with what they have done with their Statements, especially since the mid 1980s. Half of the Catholics are living lives as best they can in total agreement with the words they profess to believe and pray in Mass on Sundays, while the other half are not living according to their stated beliefs and prayer, and continue to live those lives with assistance of the bishops statements which they find “tempting enough,” enabling them to hold on to their morally superior self-identity which they get from remaining in that other worldly organization, even though that organization is responsible for violating their stated belief in God as the giver of life. 

The Church would be far better served if the sign of peace time was used to educate the members on what it means when they make their Profession of Faith, and what it means when they pray the Lord’s Prayer.  Does God create life to be aborted?  Is not abortion, evil?  Is not feeling morally superior, or better than others, enabling one to stay in that other worldly organization (which also is guilty of coveting) succumbing to the temptation of pride?

Symbolism is not what we need.  Good, honest teaching is what we need, not the feel good and confusion which we have been subjected to for so many years.  Perhaps then we ALL will be living lives in accordance to what we PROFESS TO BELIEVE and PRAY FOR and the sign of peace would be much more REAL and meaningful.

stilbelieve - Why can’t we have both - symbolism and good teaching? My husband who is a convert from Judaism always loved the “sign of peace” when he attended Mass with me as a Jew. It was very “foreign” to his religious understanding. We are a church of “smells and bells” and I truly think we can incorporate both. What’s needed most of all, in my opinion, is obedience to the teachings of the Church. How many actually want to be totally obedient; probably a very small percentage of the already small percentage that attend Sunday Mass.

stilbilieve,  Are you pretending when you give the sign of peace?  What are you willing to sacrifice to stop abortion?  Where do you get your info about how Catholics live their lives and the percentage of those who live in those ways you describe?

“If all one has to do to destroy the reputation of a good priest is accuse, knowing that the Church will do the rest, the priesthood doesn’t stand a chance.” So sad and true!

@Samuel

“Not looking for an argument, just throwing out a thought.  I find your post perhaps compelling in that should we be asking for God’s forgiveness for our own personal failure to stop the slaughter of the millions of his children?  Even though we vote and picket and evangelize against abortion - you could say that with every murdered baby it marks a failure on our part.”

I would say this, “you could say that with every murdered baby it marks a failure on our part,” with “our part” being the Church.  As a Catholic who voluntarily recites my Profession of Faith as a Christian every Sunday in Mass and who prays for God’s will to be done while standing in front of Jesus in the Eucharist, I can not be contradicting what I profess to believe and pray for by giving my name and support to a worldly organization that is diabolically opposed to what I say I believe and pray for.  That is the most important thing for Catholics to realize -first - be true to your own word, i.e., MEAN what you profess to believe and pray for.  You have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.  Removing ones name from the registration rolls of that worldly organization, and not supporting another person representing that organization ever again to rule over us is the most important thing Catholics could do to bring about the end of man’s wholesale murdering of God’s gift of life.  As long as half the Catholics are giving that organization their names and support, all the other efforts you mentioned above, which are important, are not going to stop the wholesale murder of babies…that effort has been going on now for 38 years and has not produced the “intended” results.  Something new has to be done; something that will bring about the desired results because it strikes at the heart of the issue – power.  The diabolical force feels the power of doing what it has been doing all these years because of the power they are given by the important support they get from Catholics.  Catholics remove that visible support; that diabolical power vanishes making way for a new wave of support for the life we believe God creates.

This solution is simple.  But if it is “simple” why hasn’t it been done?  I said the “solution” is simple; the act of doing it - is hard.  It’s hard because peoples’ self identity is involved.  That identity that is so tempting - to think of one’s self as being good and caring for other people, while looking down on “others” who aren’t “as good” or “caring” as you.  It’s difficult to dissect that part of your identity away and set it aside.  But until one does they’ll never realize how deceived they allowed themselves to be – which will be the beginning of real forgiveness.

@Mary M

“Why can’t we have both - symbolism and good teaching?”

We can, and with good teaching, symbolism will be more meaningful.

stilbelieve,  If you want to stop abortion you can’t do it with preaching and selling videos and cd’s.  We have to sacrifice if we are serious about stoppint abortion.  As Mother Mary has stated we must constantly pray the Rosary and sacrifice.  Sacrifice what?  Everything.  Until we give up our comfort and our security we are supporters of abortion.
Are you ready to go on a walk across the country praying the Rosary and gathering people of God as we go to stop the insanity of this society and show others what it really means to give up everything.  Until we do, our faith is shallow and we are only giving lip service to make ourselves feel good.

I think that Father Corapi was chosen by God to confront the fundamental
issue:the danger to destroy priesthood by frivolous accusations.Currently the accused and bishops are but the pawns of the devil’s game;it is astonishing how easy is to destroy somebody’s good name using the current regulation.One has to use common sense in this situation.Obviously is not that common.

Catechism $29.95
Fr. Corapi CD box set $200.00

ouch—Does this mean that being a Catholic is expensive, for the wealthy, so those of you that are on the poverty level, do not apply.

@Benjamin

Were you trying to suggest something with item (5) of you post on 29 Mar at 13:10 EDT (“Online records with the Montana secretary of state list John Corapi as the registered agent for the company. A company with the same name also is registered in Nevada and online records in the secretary of state’s office there indicated John A. Corapi holds the office of president, treasurer, secretary and director.”)

Perhaps you are not aware that many businesses choose to incorporate in Nevada due to the favorable tax and business laws.  If Fr. Corapi conducts his business in Montana, he would also have to file there as a “foreign” corporation.  The situation you documented is not at all unusual.

Several respondents have used the statement released by Santa Cruz Media as evidence that Fr. Corapi’s accuser is lying.

First, we don’t know how accurate or complete the comments in the statement relating to the former employee are.  Keep in mind that Santa Cruz Media is owned by Fr. Corapi, thus the person who released the statement is his employee.  There is certainly room for bias.  I am not saying the statement is false or misleading, only that we don’t *know* that it is not.

Second, even if the former employee behaved as described, we do not know why she was being fired or why she made the remarks.  Consider the *possibility* she did have a sexual relationship with Fr. Corapi and was terminated after ending it.  She certainly would have a valid reason to pursue a legal remedy, and it is easy to imagine how the situation could have escalated emotionally.

As MaryM said, we don’t *KNOW* what really happened.  Nor do we KNOW Fr. Corapi (as much as we might think we do based on his public persona), nor do we KNOW the accuser.

stillbelieve, didn’t mean to give you a reason to post a 2 page rant about everything you dislike about the way our Bishops (those who Christ put in charge and we are to obey) have preserved and presented Chirst’s message to us in the Mass and about human concupiscience.  Perhaps they will see what you have posted here and the Pope will see how wrong they’ve been all along, and how right you are, and they will change the Mass in accordance.  Anyway, I think the most charitable thing to do now is to agree to disagree, and you can praise God in the Mass the way you see fit and I will praise God the way He sees fit.  I pray for Christ’s peace for you.  Many blessings.

@ Jennifer

I’m sorry you took my reply to you as a two page “rant.”  You asked me to do something and I took it seriously and did.  I reread the CCC sections you gave me and wrote a serious reply to you of my understanding of them.  Interestingly, after posting my comments, I attended Mass later that evening and the pastor’s homily was similar to how I understood “forgiveness” and “trespass.”  That doesn’t mean I’m saying that I’m “right” and you’re “wrong” or vice versa.  It means there is room for discussion - and that is what I’m open to.  Again, I’m sorry you took my thoughts the way you did.  No hurt was intended.

stillbelieve, have no worries on your part.  I’m not hurt.  Don’t know why you thought that.  Simply concerned for your sake and didn’t want to lead you or anyone else into a near occassion of sin.  As for the homily you heard, it would be imprudent to use it as confirmation of either position, as I could have no way of knowing what he said and if you interpreted it correctly.  But I do know that if we harbor a grudge against someone for a sin they committed we too are guilty of sin.  It is called a sin against charity.  To be sure, what some people in our society have done with the legalization of abortion is of grave matter and most definately sinful.  We, who are in opposition to this mortal sin, must be carefull to guard our own hearts that we do not become hardened against these people and thus sin against charity.  Does this explaination illumine your understanding better?

I want to tell all of you who have not been thru the justice system, ones innocence is not always a guarantee that one will found innocent in a court of law. I can attest to that. I was sent to jail and I was innocent. My one and only time. The thing to remember whether Father Corapi is innocent or found guilty, is that the work he has done must remain in tack. His work is more than that of a man of this world. It comes from beyond. It has been held high and has been a comfort to many, including myself. I will not fall apart and feel that hell has won if Father Corapi is found guilty. I will continue to shift thru what I hear and what I believe and continue my search for The Truth.

Father Corapi’s first tapes (talks) were about his conversion after pulling himself out of the gutter. He spoke of what a successful BUSINESS MAN he was and how he grew up wanting “to be SOMEBODY”. I do not think his goals have changed that much, some could say he is now selling a different , yet profitable product, and yes he is still SOMEBODY and yes, he remains a successful businessman. He also claimed to be a fighter and as such he is fighting to get this setback behind him, which he likely will. I see no hermitage, no sackcloth and ashes—in his future.
Now, I am done making comments and I won’t be surprised if the posts here will top 4,000.
Go for it!

@Patt - “I see no hermitage, no sackcloth and ashes—in his future.”

Perhaps therein lies part of the problem?

Did you ever sign a contract that you barely read? Did you ever play a game in which you did not really know the rules?

The majority of Catholics are in this predicament. We really do not KNOW most of the Church’s teachings. Sadly, this is so easy to prove! As a result, there are a myriad of “Catholic” religions; many are at odds with each other.

Pope John Paul II and the current Magisterium constantly beg Catholics to read and study the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. It is the Church’s rule book. (For various reasons, some people do not like rule books.)

In many ways, the CATECHISM IS the Church.

Father Caropi also begs Catholics the read the CATECHISM. He has been more effective in presenting its teachings than any other man alive. He has brought the TRUTH to millions of Catholics.

Now Father Caropi (a human sinner) is accused, perhaps spuriously, of immoral actions.

A former employee has accused Father Caropi of the very grave sin of SCANDAL. When, in effect, (if her accusations are malicious and false) she MAY be committing the gravest sin of BLASPHEMY.

Blasphemy against the CATEHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, blasphemy against the EWTN network, and blasphemy against a Catholic priest.

If Father Caropi’s ministry is neutralized, I hope you will (continue to) read the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Unfortunately, millions won’t.

Plase pray for Father Caropi and his accuser!

P.S.

The CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH defines BLASPHEMY:

(2148) BLASPHEMY is directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in uttering against God – inwardly or outwardly – words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one’s speech; in misusing God’s name. THE PROHIBITION OF BLASPHEMY EXTENDS TO LANGUAGE AGAINST CHRIST’S CHURCH, THE SAINTS, AND SACRED THINGS. It is also blasphemous to make use of God’s name to cover up criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death. The misuse of God’s name to commit a crime can provoke others to repudiate religion. Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due God and his holy name. It is in itself a grave sin.

I was saddened to hear of the accusation against Fr Corapi. In the same position I too would feel enraged at the accusation. On the other hand I also understand the church wanting to be proactive given the black eye the church was given over the priest scandal. The good thing about this is no one accused him of being a pedophile. Once this is all settled I will continue to listen to Fr Corapi. His message is wonderful and I truly believe he is a good man of God. I am sorry he is undergoing this trial.

@Ronlad King

“Are you pretending when you give the sign of peace?”

Ans.  No, I’m sincere.

“What are you willing to sacrifice to stop abortion?

Ans.  I’ve never considered what I do to stop abortion a “sacrifice.”  It’s an avocation.  Over the years I’ve spent tens of thousands of hours working at understanding what the issue is; how did it come about; what errors, if any, allowed this to happen; how to change it; what are the road blocks to overcome in changing it; and most important – who is logically the most responsible and capable to change it. 

“Where do you get your info about how Catholics live their lives and the percentage of those who live in those ways you describe?”

Ans.  A lot of research coupled with a lot of face to face contact with people over many years.  A telling bit of research I conducted was to see if priest took their own advice to us during election seasons to register to vote.  I discovered over half of them in my diocese were not registered.  Of those who were, the largest percentage registered as Democrat (45%); next were Republican (34%) with the balance a combination of Decline to State, Independent, and one Peace and Freedom Party. Even the monsignor who was Diretor of Prolife Activities was a Democrat - he told me when I asked him why, said to give support to prolife Democrats. (I live in O.C. one of the most conservative counties in the country)  I did the same for the Archdiocese of Los Angelus and found it even more heavily registered as Democrat.  If, after 26 years of abortion-on-demand remaining the law-of-the-land (the year in which I did the research), and the majority of Catholic clergy registered to vote are Democrats, then the percentage for the laity being Democrat certainly is going be that or higher.  Voting records and exit polling confirm that.  Catholics support the Democrat party more than any other party and provide the pro-abortion party its single, largest voting block.  My conclusion is half or more of Church going Catholics pay no attention to, or believe, what they are saying during their Profession of Faith, or the Lord’s Prayer, otherwise, they could not willingly give their name id or votes to the pro-abortion party.  That goes for the clergy, too, including many bishops.  A Catholic news man who covered the bishops’ conference held a month after the last presidential election in ’08 said that he believes 50% of the bishops voted for Obama, a pro-abortion, pro-infanticide Democrat.

I have condensed what I was writing originally to answer your question; it was turning into a biography.  I hope this is of help.

Thanks, stilbelieve.  Would you be willing to sacrifice even more to end abortion and the suffering that causes abortion?  To make it brief our strategies fall far short and are not equal to the commitment needed to end this horrible thing.  Four years ago while doing a morning Rosary Run I was given the thought that we should have a cross-country Rosary Run/Walk to raise money and awareness for the suffering of mothers and their unborn children.  In essence, we needed to join them in their fear of being alone in the world and not have the comfort and security we now enjoy.  The vision came to me that we could stop the normal functioning awareness of people by creating such a movement that would gain momentum if EWTN was able to have any openness to this vision.  They could do all of their programs on the road.
I presented this to every program host on the radio and was told that it was a very good idea and that they would pray about it and get back to me.  Liars.  They are too busy building up their own apostolates and are too comfortable doing that.  Also told it was impracticle-bs.
What do you think?

@Patt
Guess what?  I totally agree with you!  The first time I heard this man’s conversion story I couldn’t help but think it was at least half BS.  He talked about how we wanted the limelight and was hanging around famous people before his great fall.  Then he decided he needed to give in to a life of humility and quiet, blah, blah, blah.  Yet, there he was standing up in front of everyone begging for attention and lapping up his stardom.  Quiet life of humility - yea right.  He didn’t change…

Benjamin - Do you honestly think Fr. Corapi was insincere when he entered the Seminary to study for the priesthood? Why would someone go through all of public sector. I don’t think it’s charitable to speculate about the sincerity of his conversion. I do know that he is a very gifted preacher; as for him being guilty as charged we will have to wait for the determination on that.

Benjamin - correction - Why would someone go through all of public sector. should have read - Why would someone go through all of that?

THERE ARE TWO ASPECTS,MORAL AND LEGAL. mY QUESTION ABOUT THE TIME FACTOR IS TO PROVE THAT THE VICTIMS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OFFENCE AGAINST THE STATE. AS REGARDS MORAL, IT IS A CONCERN OF THE CONSCIENCE. WHAT CONSCIOUSNESS IF THE VICTIM ENJOYS ACCUSATIONS INSTTEAD OF LOOKING TNTO THEIR OWN HEARTS !

It’s to bad that Father Corapi is not a democrat politician.  If he were accused of sexual impropriety, the press would track down his accuser, disclose her name, everything negative about her personal history, question the validity of everything good about her personal history and then condemn her for damaging the reputation of someone they regard as “significant”.  Cases in point:  Ted Kennedy and Bill Clinton.  As it is, there is no real mechanism for exhonorating Father Corapi.  The Church will stand by and issue platitudinous, ambiguous statements on one side or the other of the issue.  He will always have a cloud over him - even if his accuser admits error, it will be said this was coerced.  There is some damage that cannot be undone.

I have no problem with Father Corapi being successful in his business endeavors, however looking at some of the hefty price tags on the merchandise as well as for his public appearances, ($100 a ticket)Wow no to shabby! 

What I am interested in is what does he do with all of that money he is making?  For example Father Benedict Groeschel, equally as popular, belongs to an order that has taken the vow of poverty, they own nothing.  He is not only famous but is the author of many books.  He has spoken many times that he supports a great number of single mothers and their children, so I’m assuming that Fr. Groeschel uses the income from his books for this purpose. 

So what I’m getting at is it’s obvious that Fr. Corapi is making big bucks what does he do with it??? 

As for his accuser, “IF” in fact he indulged in sexual activity with her, both party’s being adults, tells me the sex was consensual. She had to know that priest take a vowel of chastity and that if in fact she went along she was an accessory in helping Fr. Corapi corrupt his vowels, in short she knew what she was doing and so did he. 

So “IF” in fact her accusations are true the purpose of her making it public is for one reason, and one reason alone,and that is to “destroy” Fr. Corapi.  And if in fact Fr. Corapi was so foolish to risk to risk his reputation, as well as that of the Church, to believe that he is above his vowels he took,it speaks of an arrogance.

According to campaign finacials filed in both Nevada and Montana, it seems as though a heft amount of the funds goes to Political campaigns. And not all of it to candidates expressing a Pro-Life position.

@Louise
” in short she knew what she was doing and so did he. “

That really doesn’t matter on the consensual part because it violates not only chastity, but the boss/employee relationship.  The boss has the power and the employee may think it’s the only way for her to keep her job.  Then when she loses her job, that’s when these things blow up and people get sued, blah, blah, blah.  Happens frequently in the corporate world.  Then boss AND employee get fired.

Of course that assumes that she’s telling the truth, which at this point we have no reason to believe otherwise.

$100 a POP to hear the word of God????  What more do you need to hear???

I should have written “we have no reason to believe either way at this point.”

I am concerned that a POW/MIA group with no religious ax to grind has obtained (via the Freedom of Information Act) Fr. Corapi’s military record. This was done as a far back as 2008. My reading of it shows no Vietnam Service medal, no mention of Special Forces training (he was only a “Marksman” - the lowest qualifying score, and only for a rifle, nothing else!) The same site posted audio of Fr. Corapi where he states he served in Viet Nam and was a Green Beret. What is going on with that?

@Benjamin

It’s a good point.  Just about 6 months ago I had the VP of HR for a large client come to me and tell me that one of the employees had sent in a picture of one of the manager’s cavorting with one of his direct reports.  The employee complained that it was obvious that the cavorter was getting special treatment.  I had to tell the VP, HR that she needed to suspend both the manager and the employee until an investigation was finished.  The investigation only took two days before they both admitted to the affair - immediate termination for both.  You can’t put the organization and the other employees at risk of a law suit that would damage the company.

Last year, the same VP, HR received an threatening e-mail from an employee’s husband claiming that his wife was having an affair with her boss.  He threatened to e-mail blast it all over the company, 8,000 ee’s!  Same result, both fired.  The kind of good thing was when I interviewed both of them they claimed they were in love and were going to get divorced to marry each other.  Both of them have since reconciled with their spouses and are no longer talking to each other (at least that’s what I hear).

Anyway the point is Boss has sex with employee, don’t care if it’s consensual, both get tossed

Hey Anon - where did you see the POW/MIA post?

To

You really are passing along pure hearsay that is ignorant of the facts and that apparently influences people like yourself who can’t seem to find the real facts.  You don’t give any link (although I’ve seen this bunch of hearsay as fact floating around - you’re just another of their naive minions) and just what audio link is there also btw, because the real audio says nothing of the sort - just in case you might be interested in some facts.

You might try to go here and read comment:  http://eponymousflower.blogspot.com/2011/03/someones-dug-up-father-corapis-military.html

and here for the video of what was actually said by Fr. C: http://video.aol.com/video-detail/john-corapi-lost-his-millions-as-a-real-estate-mogul-due-to-/179427089?icid=acvsv3

and here for the truth re: accusations: http://cosmos-liturgy-sex.com/2008/05/21/fr-corapi-a-summary/

and from:  catholicmil.org - “Catholics in the Military”

“A shoulder injury during the Special Forces Qaul Course medically disqualified him from joining the Green Berets”

which he says as much in the above linked video.

My last post was to:  Anon on Thursday, Mar 31, 2011 2:53 PM (EDT)

It’s beginning to seem abundantly clear that The National catholic Register and its new parent company, EWTN, know much more about Fr. Corapi’s situation than they are at present free to publish.

to brendan, the national catholic register and EWTN know what we know, they will not dared to accused Fr.Corapi without all the facts, this will be evil. I am 100% they believe what he told them and am sure they believe he is innocent, Fr.Corapi posted freely the alledged slandering news for us, why would he do this if he was guilty?, he would had gone out and say I’ve done so so and. This man Fr.Corapi has been tried in the fire of hell once too many before, he found God’s Mercy and knows better. His mission is to proclaim the Gospel without (microwaving it or cafeteria style), he used his past life as an example to all of us, don’t point fingers without knowing the whole thruth, this is a grave sin. May Our Lady bless you.

Say what you will and I’m sure you’ll want to hide under a rock and deny that it exists, but this whole ordeal has the stench of a Bilderberger plan.

Its so sad to hear all that about Fr. Corapi. I believe many priests have been treated like that by the Bishops without making more investigations. They rush to conclude forgeting that the best way to judge any case is to reasonably judge the two sides. There is a need for all church leaders to investigate more on any cases presented to them. There are many people there in the world who are lamenting because of what their bishops decided for them. I believe that both the people who accuse priests/seminarians/brothers, and the bishops who dismiss priets will be accountable for that. Let us not judge others before we gather all the necessary information. I would request you to read the book titled, consipiracy. I beleive Fr. Corapi is totally innocent. What was she waiting for to accuse Fr. Corapi if she new that he did it? That is not true, and this should be a lesson to all bishops not to base their judgement on what people say.

Its so sad to hear all that about Fr. Corapi. I believe many priests have been treated like that by the Bishops without making more investigations. They rush to conclude forgeting that the best way to judge any case is to reasonably judge the two sides. There is a need for all church leaders to investigate more on any cases presented to them. There are many people there in the world who are lamenting because of what their bishops decided for them. I believe that both the people who accuse priests/seminarians/brothers, and the bishops who dismiss priets will be accountable for that. Let us not judge others before we gather all the necessary information. I would request you to read the book titled, consipiracy. I beleive Fr. Corapi is totally innocent. What was she waiting for to accuse Fr. Corapi if she new that he did it? That is not true, and this should be a lesson to all bishops not to base their judgement on what people say. Let us pray for all priest who have gone through these problems. It is so hard for them whenever they think about the people who accussed them for nothing. Let us pray for our church leaders also to be good and make valid conclusions while dealing with such issues

When we are called as citizens to sit on a jury, we are mindful of listening to all of the evidence presented to us, and then coming to a decision. We are not in a position to do that at this point. I have to be honest and say that I am very, very surprised at the vast number of people who are “convinced” of the innocence/guilt of either party. Some are making comments that are taking them to the point of detraction and/or slander. Frankly, I don’t understand it

Father Corapi says he is innocent. Period. The motive behind a three page
letter is intriguing. Not all letter writers are whistleblowers. Some
are people who merely desire personal attention. Some feel scorned. Some
wish to cause others personal and emotional anguish because they are
basically unhappy themselves. Some have underlying manic-depressive or
paranoid tendencies. Some desire money, bordering on extortion. Some people
are motivated by hate, hence the term “hate mail”. Some desire to cause
chaos. Some desire publicity, some may use letters of this nature to build
a smoke screen in order to distract others from viewing true reality
(whatever that is) Those in the public eye, secular or religious, are often
targeted. Never underestimate the power of Prayer.

@Ray Marshall, Re: “If she is mentally ill, then confined treatment would be a recourse.”

Mr. Marshall, a diagnosis of mental illness is no more cause for confinement than a diagnosis of physical illness.

If the accusation is false AND the accuser has a mental illness, for all we know she could be a survivor of past abuse and is, therefore, hypersensitive to even the most innocent gesture. This is true of many with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which, as an anxiety disorder, is classified under the mental illness umbrella.

With the media usually only reporting on those with a mental illness who also have criminal behaviour (which is not necessarily linked to the mental illness by the way) it is easy to get a false impression of the true nature of the various mental illnesses and of the people who suffer from them.

(I am reminded as I write this that part of the Nazi agenda and Margaret Sanger’s—the founder of Planned Parenthood—was to eliminate those with “mental deficiencies.” It makes one wonder if the secular media have an agenda against the mentally ill like they have an agenda against the pre-born.

I would also encourage Catholic and other Christian media not to use the term ‘schizophrenic’ when they mean ‘doublethink.’)

I just sent a long form already & surprisingly there was an error. YOu don’t want to hear the truth.

You remind me of the bullies in Jesus’ day. He wasn’t happy with the High Priests back then & most of us aren’t happy with what we are seeing today.

Father Corapi is ETWN. Without him ETWN will fade out. SHAME on all of you. Such hypocrisy! Let the TRUTH surface & let those causing him the issues fade away.  Father Corapi is REAL & he knows what all of us struggle with.  He’s more like Jesus than anyone I’ve seen in a long time.  Good bye to ETWN until Father Corapi returns. HE is the best. Linda

@Linda - EWTN was started by a wonderful nun, Mother Angelica, many years ago and it has grown into the largest Christian network in the world. As much as I love Fr. Corapi he is not EWTN. EWTN has been a total blessing in my life and I went from being a Catholic who knew very little about her faith to someone who is now pretty informed. There are many, many talented and knowledgable people who appear on EWTN and are involved in production. One very obedient and humble (but fiesty :-)) nun said “yes” to Jesus and the rest is history. People have come and gone on EWTN and what makes EWTN “work” is that it is the work of the Holy Spirit. You cannot blame EWTN for removing Fr. Corapi. They needed to do what was appropriate at the time.

NEVER ATTACH 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 judgement over a priest has voiced it over me: child, never let a Priest be attacked, take up his defence.” (Feast of Christ 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) “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 judgement (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!” O 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’s celebrated by an unworthy priest, but the graces called down upon the people is not the same!” (28.2.1938)
 
    +
    +
  +++++    THE PRIESTHOOD IS A MASTERPIECE OF
  +  +  +    CHRIST’S DIVINE LOVE, WISDOM AND POWER
+++  +  +++    ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
  +  +  +
  +  +  + 

“JESUS, MARY, I LOVE YOU, SAVE SOULS, SAVE THE CONSECRATED!”

Father Corapi—we love you and we are praying for you.  The truth will prevail.

Thank you for being the strong priest that you are. Saying it how it is. “No pain, no gain.”

You have changed many lives. 

May Our Lady keep you under her mantle always.

You are her child.

There is no way that I believe for one moment that this priest has done anything wrong. Any one who falsley conficts a priest needs to really take a close look at themselves and what they are doing.  They are murdering this man’s reputation and doing harm to the greater church in the process. Much prayer is needed for both of these individuals.

We must all pray for Fr. Corapi, his accusers, and those that decided to suspend his preaching; and for those that continue to criticize him—A PRIEST. All the negative remarks are stones being casted on to him.
Jesus was accused of so many things; He was hated for being strong with the truth; lies were raised against him; HE WAS CRUCIFIED!!!

All Fr Corapi has done is to lead all souls to Heaven! He said “YES” to the Lord. He has been walking on a road of roses with thorns. He truly has a place in Heaven.

Father, forgive them all for they know not what they are doing and saying.

This situation makes me think about Susanna from the Book of Daniel. I truly believe that Fr. Corapi has been wrongly accused but now it’s in God’s hands. There’s no doubt in my mind that God can and will use this evil accusation to stir up the fire of faith in the hearts of His people. The great priest scandal shattered the illusions many Catholics had about the ordained ministry. And when I hear comments about wayward priests I ask - “and how much time have you spent praying for our priests?” This is usually met with a blank stare. As memebers of the laity we need the prayers of our priests and they need ours. Use this as an opportunity to start reciting the “Prayer for Priests” before or after daily Mass at your local parish.

A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS

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, allur-
Shelter them in Thy heart.
Keep them, and conform them in hours
of loniness and pain,
when all their life of sacrifice
for souls seems but in vain.
Keep them, and O remember, Lord,
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.

Imprimatur: +D.Card Dougherty,
Arch. of Philadelphia

Our Father, Hail Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for them.

We love you Fr. Corapi and will pray for you.  Your strong and sincere messages have been heard by many and have helped save many souls.  Thank you!

I agree with the temp leave of Father. It is the best way to protect him from any other accusations that may be out there. If this is Satan speaking through a nut case then,more usually follow.Also are the child abuse cases that now wait for the church’s immediate response.If everyone involved did not use protocal with Father, those involved in those abuse cases and the public that is against the church to begin with, would have more to say about the church. I think we should look at this response from all parties involved as very professional, and done only with love for our church and her flock.

Laurie,  I am deeply distressed and disappointed by your use of the term “nut case” to describe a human being who is suffering.  I expect more compassion from Catholics.

Linda Clark wrote:
“Father Corapi is ETWN. Without him ETWN will fade out. SHAME on all of you. Such hypocrisy!”

Sorry Linda but EWTN was a success way before Fr. Corapi came upon the scene!

I don’t understand the hysteria associated with this issue. I love Fr. Corapi but he is a human being capable as any of us are of sinning. If the investigation finds that he is guilty of some sort of impropriety that will not change my opinion of him in any way. He is a gifted preacher and I am confident that God will give him the grace to “make things right”. Perhaps this is God’s way of getting Fr. Corapi back to basics. I remember when he first began preaching and he wore a simple friar’s robe and lived very simply. Perhaps the decision by SOLT was not a good one to allow him to live in his own home. I really do believe that religious life requires structure and discipline and in living simply. We cannot state as fact that all of this is the work of Satan. The accused and the accuser have free will. What we need is a realistic view of this situation. If we pronounce judgment now we do a great injustice to all concerned including ourselves. Pray for justice; pray for justice.

Fr. John Corapi is a great priest. I don’t like the fact he dyes his eyebrows and beard. He looks evil and a member of “Star Trek” that way. I also wasn’t edified by the money making aspects of his website either but it does “cost” to run it.

I met him when he was a “shabby ‘ol goat” dressed in a Franciscan style habit and gray beard. His homily at the Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville NY shook the roof.

That’s the Corapi I remember in 1995 and he was instrumental in my conversion.

Let’s continue to pray. Also recent award of millions in legal case may be contradictory to the canonical “Vow of Poverty” if he is still is in fact a religious (SOLT)??

God lead good Fr. John to your glory and honor alone.

I commend Michael Warsaw, President of EWTN, for defending the Network and its employees against the vitriolic attacks leveled by some who are angry by the removal of Fr. Corapi’s programs. And, I am truly, truly sorry that they are being subjected to these uncharitable attacks. After reading so many of the posts on the web it almost sounds like an out-of-control hysterical mob. What has happened to charity and the desire for justice? Not justice based upon ones own biases but just based upon the truth. No matter what the outcome, truth must prevail even if truth hurts.

The TRUTH hurts only those who try to BUCK the TRUTH.

I agree that the policy as described above is immoral and destructive to the Church. It’s a shame there are so few cool, analytical heads in charge of our Church.  I personally believe Fr. Corapi’s denials and resent the fact that he had to make them.  On any issue that does not involve law enforcement, the ‘innocent until proven guilty’ rule should, no, must be used if any kind of justice is to be served.  Even if fr. Corapi is guilty as accused, his only punative recourse is repentance and forgiveness.  Hoepfully his accuser and his ‘superiors’ are so fortunate.

Vote with your wallets, my friends. Without our financial support the sadducees and pharisees have no power. The only way to defend Father Corapi in this case is to withdraw your financial support from those within the Church who want to destroy him without a shred of proof. SHOW ME THE PROOF!

Why would anyone think the Church wants to destroy Fr. Corapi? He is someone who is held in very high regard by many people and this type of allegation is very painful. However, every charge of misconduct needs to be investigated. Withholding financial support from those within the church because of an investigation is not warranted. I have not seen one shred of evidence that anyone within the church wants to destroy Fr. Corapi. Any such claim is nothing more than ones personal opinion.

I wanted to respond to John but…

Alright, but does anyone know if he’d pre-taped his Easter Triduum and if so, if EWTN can play it?

(Or maybe they can re-run last year’s?)

Nobody does Triduum like Fr. Corapi. :(

Stay put, Father Corapi, the truth will set you free.  St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina was also falsely accused by several women but the truth set him truly free and he is now enjoying the glories of Heaven.  St. Padre Pio, please intercede for Father Corapi that he may be set free so that he may continue his mission to save souls.  Let us also pray for his accuser.  Thank you St. Padre Pio.

But Padre Pio was not privately worth millions of dollars. And Padre Pio did not (to my knoledge) give large amounts of money to political candidates, some not Pro Life, as Father Corapi has done.

Hey, Brandon, how do you know that Father Corapi has given to non-pro-life candidates?  How do you know how much he is worth?  Please reveal your sources.  Peace and God bless.

Father Corapi won a multi-million dollar malpractice lawsuit, which remains his and his alone.

As far as monies made available to congressional candidates, both in Montana and Nevada, all you have to do is read the individual financial filings of the candidates to see entries by him, as well as santa Cruz Media, all very legal. I just question some of the offerings made to conservative, but not always candidates supporting Right-To-Life issues.

All of these are a matter of public record, and as such, are easily obtained.

“Wrongfully accused priests no longer have this luxury.”

This is because the rightfully accused priests were still kept in or moved around in parishes by negligent and careless bishops instead of ‘sending them off to the monastery to do penance’.  The blame is on the ‘slow to act’ hierachy going all the way to Rome which let off the abusive bishops themselves.  I feel sorry for the wrongully accused but perhaps the focus should be on the ‘failure to act’ expeditiously by the Roman and local hierarchy.

Pray, do not point fingers or demonize.

Remember the Church is the BODY of CHRIST.  you are a member, as so often said by Jesus in Scripture. How often is Jesus, Christ or Scripture mentioned or quoted in all of the blogs?

E. Patrick Juras, M.D.

Posted by Brendan on Monday, Apr 4, 2011 9:11 AM (EDT):Father Corapi won a multi-million dollar malpractice lawsuit, which remains his and his alone.

=======================================================

By your “remains” knowledge you then have the account number of just where that award presently resides???  I doubt it.  Go somewhere else where you can also offer your misinformation.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Posted by Richard on Monday, Apr 4, 2011 11:28 AM (EDT):“Wrongfully accused priests no longer have this luxury.”

This is because the rightfully accused priests were still kept in or moved around in parishes by negligent and careless bishops instead of ‘sending them off to the monastery to do penance’.  The blame is on the ‘slow to act’ hierachy going all the way to Rome which let off the abusive bishops themselves.  I feel sorry for the wrongully accused but perhaps the focus should be on the ‘failure to act’ expeditiously by the Roman and local hierarchy.

===========================================================
You’re beating a dead horse.  Your philosophy then is “one bad deed STILL deserves another”!!!  Thank God that His judgement is individual.

@Brendan

“As far as monies made available to congressional candidates, both in Montana and Nevada,” you say, “I just question some of the offerings made to conservative, but not always candidates supporting Right-To-Life issues.”

Why would you question those “offerings”?  There’s nothing wrong or evil about that.  After all, the U.S. Bishops say it is alright to be a member of and vote for the pro-abortion party as long as you are not doing so because of their support for abortion.

I’m sure KKK Catholics and NAZI Catholics would have liked to have had that approval from the bishops for their support of the political organizations they preferred being members of – support because of those organizations providing economic welfare to the people they had concerns for.

I pray for Father Corapi ,

Let us all find out that he is innocent of all the charges made against him.

A wonderful speaker and a great mind .

My prayers are with him.

EO

I pray for Fr. Corapi.  God bless and protect him always.

Some of these recent blogs are emotional and hysterical (not meaning funny). KKK and Nazi Catholics? No reform since the last situations by our current Pope? No confirmed facts other than the accusal by the one woman?  The Church has been silent since Father was suspended from some of his activities. Father has the right to privacy and confidentiality. The charge was made public by the secular press. His privacy was violated.

Father Caropi was not charged with anything by anybody. He is a practicing Catholic priest. The accusations are being INVESTIGATED. We do not really know what is being investigated other than the one accusation.

Some of what I read is nothing but immature comments without facts. God works in HIS ways, not ours!
How often is God, Christ,  Jesus or Scripture referred to in these blogs.

Come on! some bloggers need to look at themselves rather than others. You know pointing a finger at someone, you point your thumb at yourself.

Due process is being granted to him. Let the process continue

Hey there Doc,

“Father has the right to privacy and confidentiality. The charge was made public by the secular press. His privacy was violated.”

Did you even read the article?  Like the very first sentence where it says that Fr. Corapi “...broke the news on his own website this weekend that he has been placed on ‘administrative leave’...” ?

Hello?

@E.Patrick Juras, M.D

“Some of these recent blogs are emotional and hysterical (not meaning funny). KKK and Nazi Catholics?”

I was the one who made the comment about “KKK and Nazi Catholics.”  It was in response to Brenden’s post talking about Fr C. and his “millions” and making contributions to congressional politicians some of whom “were not supporting Right-To-Life issues.”  Brendan seemed to be implying that Fr was not being consistent with his prolife position giving money to candidates he later referred to who were “conservatives” but not prolife.

He attempted to make Fr out to be somewhat hypocritical by such contributions.  I thought his assertion needed to be corrected and clarified using the current teachings of the USCCB in which Catholics can give their name identification and votes to the pro-abortion party as long as their support for that party is not dependant on that party’s pro-abortion position.  According to all the U.S bishops and perhaps the Church in general, you can support something doing evil as long as that evil is not your primary reason for supporting it.  Without a doubt - abortion is certainly evil. 

In so doing, I could not pass up the opportunity to “show” real hypocrisy, or contorted thinking on the part of the bishops, as it appears to me, by making a similar comparison to Catholics decades ago who may have supported the KKK or the Nazi Party because of “good works” such parties were known to do for their constituencies, disregarding the evil those parties were also responsible for doing.  My point was that I don’t think the bishops of today would feel comfortable writing a Statement permitting Catholics participation in support of the KKK or the Nazi Party using the same rational that they came up with that permits Catholics to be in good standing while supporting the only political organization responsible for abortion-on-demand remaining the law-of-the-land, causing the deaths of over 51,000,000 babies we say we believe were created by God.  I am sure those numbers of deaths far exceed those of blacks who were murdered because of their color, and Jews because of their ethnicity.  Nope, I just can’t see the bishops saying today that it would be OK for Catholics to give their name ID and support to the KKK or the Nazi Party as long as the murder of innocent human beings was not their reason for belonging to those organizations.

In every case against The Catholic Church, the accusers do a really bad moral damage to all the Catholics. Even for a false accusation, either they, the professional plaintiffs,  get away with the millions of dollars, laughing all the way to home or they just do not get anything. They never get punished by the court for the severeness of damage they do to the millions of faithful because of the double standard that is practiced. The American media, which hate the Catholic Church because it is filled with Devils feast on every stories with added colors and fumes. God save America!

Father Corapi was the one who revealed the charges that have been leveled against him which set off this frenzy the likes of which I have never seen. Those of you who are absolutely certain that the charges are false causes me to be very frightened to even think what you will do if it turns out that there is some truth in them. People, without proof of anything from either party don’t you think being at least somewhat impartial is prudent? Hoping that all turns out well and Father Corapi is found innocent is one thing but hysterical rants and attacks against the Church are not rational. We have only one perfect Divine Person in our midst Jesus Christ. The rest of us are capable of unspeakable things.

@stillbelieve

You wrote, “According to all the U.S bishops..”

Were you being sarcastic?  If not, then you should know that using “All” or any absolute term in referring to the collective mindset of the group of bishops in this country.  There is nothing remotely close to being “All” the bishops when it comes to voting positions or guidance.

That being said, I don’t think the premise of your argument is without merit at “All”!  :-)

Sorry,

I meant to write—- using “All” or any absolute term in referring to the collective mindset of the group of bishops in this country is incorrect.

@ Mary M
Very, very good post. I think as you hopeing all ends well for Fr. Corapi and yes he is most likely getting a raw deal but we must NOT loose focus on on what Fr. Corapi brought us and that is the Church itself. To loose that focus puts everything Fr. Corapi taught in vain.

In a country that has been built on the premise that an accused person is “innocent until proven guilty”, why is it that indicted public officials continue in their positions regardless of calls for their impeachment, recall or resignation, yet priests who serve the faithful—the Body of Christ in every sense—are “thrown under the bus” by Church authorities based on an allegation?  I can understand “administrative leave” when the accusation involves a minor assuming the priest is in contact with minors, however, when adults are involved in the accusation, a priest should not be treated as Fr. Corapi is now being treated.  I love my Holy and Catholic Apostolic Church and stand by it. We must remember that it cannot be carried on without good and holy priests. I also stand by Fr. Corapi who is a courageous priest who speaks the truth.  Our Lord knows we need more priests with his courage especially today. May God bring this diabolical accusation to swift conclusion with the full repentance of those who have guilt in this.  And may our glorious Church rethink how it bows to outside pressure by those who wish to destroy it and lead the faithful astray by attacks on our priests.  Love and prayers to Fr. Corapi and his staff, the accuser and our Church.

@ Scott - I was not inferring that Fr. Corapi was getting a raw deal. I was attempting to get my point across that we need to be impartial in our assessment of the situation and hope that all turns out well for Fr. Corapi which we certainly all do want.
@VM - The Catholic Church is subject to Canon Law and as such the actions taken by Fr. Corapi’s superiors was proper. Any charge leveled against a priest whether it involves minors or adults warrants investigation and if Canon Law provides for it, suspension. We all want Fr. Corapi to be vindicated but Fr. Corapi’s suspension does not involve outside pressure.  If we say that we are faithful Catholics then we also say that we are faithful to the process that is dictated by Canon Law.

I’d love to understand why so many of you are willing to, and passionate about, putting this MAN above the wisdom of the Church in this situation?  Especially since the one thing you do know about this case is that the Church knows about a million times more about the facts here than you do!

This idol worship reminds me of the type of build up and devastating crash of men like Jimmy Swaggert, Eddie Long, Ted Haggard, etc., etc., etc.  We Catholics don’t put individual men above the Church - that is core to our faith!

This is a no brainer, come on, does anyone in their right mind actually believe that Fr Corapi would and could be guilty of ‘whatever this women’ is accusing him of???  Fr Corapi has never denied who and what he was in his past,I cannot understand how anyone can even think that a Priest of His calibre would be guilty of such a thing.  Fr Corapi, we in South Africa are behind you 100%, May God be with you during this difficult time. You are being persecuted just as Jesus was, stay strong and we as a Nation will start praying the Rosary for you.  We had a wonderful Priest that was murdered and his accuser lied and said he had been sexually abused by this Priest, unfortunately he wasn’t alive to defend himself, but in the end, the truth came out and he was not guilty. The man that killed our kind priest had lied TO JUSTIFY HIS ACTIONS.

I don’t understand the anger and attacks on EWTN, for removing Fr. Corapi’s video’s,I believe they have an obligation to do so!  They can’t be promoting his preaching if by chance the accusations turn out to be true.  They would them be endorsing hypocrisy and a hypocrite, “Do what I say and not as I do.” 
It has been a very, very long time since Fr. Corapi has appeared in person on the network.  I really don’t know and neither does the viewing public just what were the arrangements worked out between Fr. Corapi and EWTN as to the airing of his video’s.  Did EWTN have to pay Fr. Corapi each time they aired one of his lectures???  Was he compensated by EWTN monetarily?  I don’t believe it would be in the best interest of EWTN to continue airing his lectures if by chance the accusation turns out to be true.  They have, in my opinion, done the correct thing by pulling his video’s. 

I hope that the Church will comes to a rapid conclusion on this matter.  The longer it takes the more this thing will fester!

What ever happened to Innocent until proven guilty?”

Those who are without sin cast the first stone.

The last perfect person was crucified on the cross over 2,000 years ago

Many of the blogs I read have serious faults and weaknesses: ignorance and twisting of facts;
disrespect for the Church, Canon Law, the Catechism, the Pope, the Magesterium; labeling (?KKK Catholics), sloppy and poor logic; not understanding the Process; pride and lack of humility (eg I know everything that should be done better than the Church); bitterness; borderline meanness.

How many read Scripture and the Catechism where we learn what Following Christ means?

I sometimes speculate why some just leave the Church and start a religion of their own.

I continue to pray for Father Caropi.

God bless all!!

@ E. Patrick Juras

“Many of the blogs I read have serious faults and weaknesses: ignorance and twisting of facts;”...“labeling (?KKK Catholics.)” 

I specifically explained to you what was meant by what I was saying.  Is “KKK Catholics” any less logical than Democrat Catholics?

stillbeliive

define “KKK Catholics”
Define “Democrat Catholics”—-good examples. There are Democracies and Catholics all over the world. What are you referring to?
KKK Catholics refers to a specific hate group in the United States with Catholic as members. This is called labeling and generalization.

Louise Massa
I agree completely!!
Very good and logical blog. Well thought out.

Diane Shaw
What? He was murdered? What did the “murderer” say in the multipage letter that she sent. This was not reported in the press, only the fact that she made the accusation.
An investigation is ongoing. We really are not aware of anything. You are judging which is not following Christ’s Word; refer to scripture!

EWTN would not dump their biggest attraction unless they saw fire behind this smoke. They’re not stupid

Father Caropi has not been proven guilty or innocent. The accusation is being INVESTIGATED. Does anyone know if other issues are being looked at.

Brendan (4/04)

What does the awards from the malpractice suit have to do with the present situation.

Referring to   donations to Right to Life is comparing apples to oranges.

@ E. Patrick Juras

“There are Democracies and Catholics all over the world. What are you referring to?”

“Democracies” is not a word that is capitalized unless it begins a sentence or is the proper name of an organization.  In this case, it’s a proper name of a specific organization in the U.S. called the Democrat Party, and their members are called Democrats.

You said, “KKK Catholics refers to a specific hate group in the United States with Catholic(s) as members. This is called labeling and generalization.”

My question to you is: Then, is it rational for Catholics to belong to such a group called the “KKK,” a “hate group?” 

I’m sure there were lots of KKK members who didn’t think of themselves as “haters;” they just thought that blacks were insignificant and shouldn’t have Constitutional rights as the white people have; or, they thought that they liked the “Christian charity” they were giving to “their” people in need.  And in their case, it was Christian charity because it was coming from individuals, not from politicians in government through forced taxation.

@ E. Patrick Juras

“There are Democracies and Catholics all over the world. What are you referring to?”

“Democracies” is not a word that is capitalized unless it begins a sentence or is the proper name of an organization.  In this case, it’s a proper name of a specific organization in the U.S. called the Democrat Party, and their members are called Democrats.

You said, “KKK Catholics refers to a specific hate group in the United States with Catholic(s) as members. This is called labeling and generalization.”

My question to you is: Then, is it rational for Catholics to belong to such a group called the “KKK,” a “hate group?” 

I’m sure there were lots of KKK members who didn’t think of themselves as “haters;” they just thought that blacks were insignificant and shouldn’t have Constitutional rights as the white people have; or, they thought that they liked the “Christian charity” they were giving to “their” people in need.  And in their case, it was Christian charity because it was coming from individuals, not from politicians in government through forced taxation.

opps.  my computer burped…sorry.

I believe Bishop Mulvey pressured Fr Sheehan to place Fr Corapi on administrative leave.If Fr Sheehan was in charge why would he need to clear with the Bishop the two priest that would be chosen to investigate the allegations ? I also think that Ms Raffatto my have been referring to canon law as it has to do with Fr Corapi being place on leave.Canon law used in this instance was put in place to handle accusations involving minors not adults. Unfortunately Fr Corapi was place on leave using a canon law that does not pertain to the allegations made against him.I believe Fr Corapi has a fundamental right to question the actions of the church and to bring to light the changes needed for the future.

@karri and doug

“I believe Bishop Mulvey pressured Fr Sheehan to place Fr Corapi on administrative leave.”

And do you have any theories on the Kennedy assassination?

stllbelieve

“Democrats”, “Democracies”—-minor points - does not the Democratic Party express hate?—- abortion rights, control of individuals to an extreme, third term abortion, extreme support of separation of church and state as examples.

KKK—What you describe as their actions and purpose is hate. Examples: hoods, burning of crosses, outlawed.
        If a political candidate is discovered to be a member of KKK, he/she is immediately dismissed.

You continue to insist you are right and will not agree with me on anything. You use very poor logic. Is this not
a form of pride and lack of humility?

E. Patrick Juras

You said to me, “You use very poor logic”

Please clarify for me what “logic” I have used that is “poor.”  It was not clear to me what you were trying to say in your last post by the way you expressed it.

While you did not directly answer the question I asked you about whether it was “rational” for Catholics to belong to a hate group, i.e., the KKK, your last post seemed to indicate, based on the list of Democrat Party positions you identified as “examples” of “hate,” that you would believe that it IS irrational for a Catholic to belong to such a group, be it the KKK or the Democrat Party.  Did I understand you correctly?

As for “labeling and generalization,” they are useful for making a point.  In this case, the point is the USCCB would not give a large number of Catholics a “pass” who were identifying themselves with the KKK and voting for a political organization that supported the KKK, no matter what the reasoning was for those Catholics support for that political organization.  But they do give Catholics a “pass” for being Democrats and supporting the pro-abortion party, i.e., the Democrat Party.

Define “pass”

I gave a response to sillbelieve’s blog. Where is it? Are we being censored?

Can some join the interesting debate between stillbelieve and me?making

@E. Patrick Juras, M.D.

Yawn

“KKK Catholics”, please remember almost all KKK members were members of the Democrat Party!  Most supporters of abortion are also members of the same party.  And some, notably the late Sen. Robert Byrd, WV were members of the KKK and supporters of abortion!

Oh, by the way, I checked Bishop Bransfield statement cocerning Byrd’s death and there is not a word about Byrd’s support of abortion and his past membership in the KKK.  But our Bishop’s stand by and let Fr. Corapi be treated as he is guity without determing the truthfulness of the charges.  I guess it’s ok to give passes to ex-KKK members, abortion supporters, and 33rd. degree masons!

Fr. Corapi teaches the Truth always.  Even though he is human and, I am sure, has has been sorely tempted over the years, I won’t believe that he has been guilty of these accusations until it be proven.  His teaching of the Catholic faith has brought many to believe and follow Jesus.  He has helped many to know what the Catholic faith actually teaches—all that Jesus entrusted it to teach.  The Catholic Church has not changed its dogma ever.  There have been terrible popes and others in the past, but as Fr. Corapi has said—they were so busy being bad they didn’t change a thing the Church teaches.  It is unfortunate that many have chosen to leave the Church that contains the fullness of Truth, exchanging it for so much less.  Jesus means to give us all every grace, but we often turn him down. —Pray now for Fr. C. who has done so much for us, and pray for these women also.

@still believe - You say - “After all, the U.S. Bishops say it is alright to be a member of and vote for the pro-abortion party as long as you are not doing so because of their support for abortion.”; and “In this case, the point is the USCCB would not give a large number of Catholics a “pass” who were identifying themselves with the KKK and voting for a political organization that supported the KKK, no matter what the reasoning was for those Catholics support for that political organization.  But they do give Catholics a “pass” for being Democrats and supporting the pro-abortion party, i.e., the Democrat Party.” It needs to be understood that the USCCB carries absolutely no weight in speaking for the Church in a official capacity. The USCCB are an organized body of priests who collectively make decisions. We can read what they have to say but never take it as official and binding. It is merely their collective opinion and that needs to be understood.

@Mary M

Further though on the USCCB is that it is a mistake to think that they truly make ‘collective’ decisions on anything.  The organization is like herding cats with a bunch (not all) of outsized egos who go around getting their rings kissed and carrying golden croziers and wearing ridiculous trappings. 

As a body they are divisive and cliquish.

@Mary M

“It needs to be understood that the USCCB carries absolutely no weight in speaking for the Church in a official capacity. The USCCB are an organized body of priests who collectively make decisions. We can read what they have to say but never take it as official and binding. It is merely their collective opinion and that needs to be understood.”

And the last sentence in your above statement is what the problem is -half of the church-going Catholics made up their minds that it is OK with the bishops, i.e., the Church, to remain in the Democrat Party and vote for their pro-abortion candidates.  Rome has not corrected these U.S. bishops’ “opinions.”

@stilbelieve - As Catholics we need to be informed. Unfortunately many so-called Catholics voted for Obama. But if we take responsibility for educating ourselves we will know what the right thing is to do. Regarding voting for abortion candidates, Catholics should know that it is wrong they just want to use “there are other issues besides abortion” to make their decisions. So sometimes even informed Catholics deliberately make wrong choices.

Some of the blogs are very good and well thought.

Others contain problems eg still believe: take things out of content, misunderstand, label people, poor logic,
generalizations, making statements without knowing facts.

I will no longer waste my time and efforts since I am misunderstood or not understood at all.

Mary: Your blogs are very good and your knowledge of facts excellent. I support you.
Carry on!

Farewell Mary M - oops, I mean Dr. Juras == hee, hee, hee

@Abigail - “Farewell Mary M - oops, I mean Dr. Juras == hee, hee, hee” And your point would be?

You do not get the point?

I would like you to carry on the debate, especially with stillbelieve. Your blogs are excellent and a sign of an intelligent woman. I also want to commend you. Does this clarify?

I just do not have the time to continue.

@E. Patrick Juras - I understood your point - I don’t understand where Abigail is coming from. Thanks for the support. I will continue. God’s blessings.

Lets just pray for him.

Dr Mary Juras, if you don’t the point then that makes one of you!

abigail

I am not Dr. Mary Juras
By blog addresses MARY M

Dr Mary Juras, if you don’t the point then that makes one of you! This blog makes no sense to me. Please clarify.

@E. Patrick Juras
I think Abigail is trying to be “clever” by combining our names. Was it something we said that just didn’t sit well with her? There should be a test for maturity before being given permission to blog.

@Mary M

“Catholics should know that it is wrong they just want to use “there are other issues besides abortion” to make their decisions. So sometimes even informed Catholics deliberately make wrong choices.”

I don’t think “informed Catholics deliberately make wrong choices.”  I think uninformed Catholics do.  And the teaching of the bishops is the reason they are uninformed.  When half the clergy, including bishops, give their name identification to the pro-abortion party - there is something wrong with their thinking which gets transferred into their teaching.  When a pastor can’t vote for a prolife Republican because he is a Democrat, there is something wrong with Catholic teaching.  That’s what the pastor told me when I asked if he would vote for a friend of mine for governor.  The pastor went even further than saying he couldn’t because he was a Democrat and my friend was a Republican ( and prolife, too).  The pastor said, “Besides, I’m not worried about the babies, they’re in heaven.”

@stilbelieve   Do you honestly believe that the “average Catholic” ever reads or hears anything the Bishops have to say? The “average Catholic” does not attend weekly Mass. For argument’s sake that would be 75% of the Catholic population in this country. I think it is reasonable to say that if 75% of Catholics are not attending weekly Mass they are certainly not paying attention to anything the Bishops have to say nor are they making any association between the Democratic party and any member of clergy. The “average Catholic” knows abortion is wrong; they just have a not of “buts”. But what about if the woman is raped? But what about if it’s incest? But what about a woman’s right to make her own decisions about her body? The remaining 25% that attend weekly Mass, out of that group you are going to get liberals who are not changing for anyone. I seem to remember hearing somewhere that out of the small group that attends weekly Mass only a small percentage are actually faithful to the teachings of the Church.  We all know people who are liberal thinking Catholics. They put up signs on their front lawn supporting candidates who are definitely not pro life. They don’t care what the Bishops have to say because they have already determined they know what is best. They are usually very involved with social justice issues and a pro life candidate takes a back seat to someone who is going to provide universal health care in the United States. I sat next to one of these people recently and the conversation went off in the direction of women being ordained to the priesthood and homosexual marriage. These “Catholics” are just “wired” differently. The pastor who votes Democratic is not getting up and announcing at Mass that he is a Democrat. He can’t do that because it would violate the Church’s not-for-profit status and he would be in very serious trouble. So, even the Catholic sitting in the pew wouldn’t know how their pastor is voting unless they asked him and I don’t think in most cases that would even be revealed. Those of us who are very involved in the day-to-day news of our faith probably are aware of any statements made by the Bishop. We are probably not going to be influenced by them to a great extent. I once read something from one “their committees” that said we don’t need to evangelize to the Jews?  What????? My point is, if you are someone who knows your faith you’ll do the right thing and you’ll engage in conversations with others that allow you to talk about the truth.

@ e. Patrick Juras

“Define ‘pass’”

A pass “allows one to be in.”  The U.S. bishops allow Catholics to be in the Democrat Party (no sin, not even wrong) - half of the registered-to-vote clergy are in it, including bishops.  But I bet that they wouldn’t give a pass to Catholics to belong to the KKK.  And I doubt any clergy ever belonged to the KKK, let alone a bishop.

Seems the bishops and the clergy have a little problem being able to discern right from wrong when it comes to their personal politics and those of their flocks.  It’s WRONG to belong to an organization that DISCRIMINATES no matter how charitable they are to their own kind.  But it is NOT WRONG to belong to an organization that fights for the right to MURDER unborn babies because that organization is willing to confiscate peoples’ money by governmental force of taxation to redistribute it according to the party’s constituent wishes (with the caveat being that it will buy the party more votes thereby giving them more power).

@Mary M

“Do you honestly believe that the ‘average Catholic’ ever reads or hears anything the Bishops have to say? The ‘average Catholic’ does not attend weekly Mass. For argument’s sake that would be 75% of the Catholic population in this country.”

The estimates of Catholic voting I’m referring to are church-going Catholics.  The data comes from exit polling during elections.  And the facts of clergy voter registrations come from my checking the diocese directory of Orange and LA counties with voter registration rolls.  That’s one conservative majority county and on liberal majority county.  That is something I would urge everyone do who is interested in right and wrong politically in their own diocese.  See were your diocesan priests’ loyalties are politically.  You just need their name and address of residency to check on computers available for public use at the Register of Voters offices.

The “average” Church going Catholic gets the impression of what is moral and decent from the homilies and bulletins, with an occasional insert.  They also get it from various parish groups like “Peace and Justice.”  So the bishops’ teachings are getting out there, not like Muslim Imams, but more like “community organizers.”

@Mary M

Seriously, tell me one pro-life candidate running in the last two elections.  I don’t know of a single one.

Mary:

Excellent. I amazed; your writing, beliefs and knowledge. I am almost certain your thinking will influence bloggers. As often said, God’s ways are not our ways.

It interesting to observe the pattern followed. When confronted with the truth or good logical reasoning emotion erupts. One way of thinking rather than looking into their inner self and agree, admit the other view is correct. This is called stubbornness and false pride. It can lead to anger and attempts to demonize others .In the extreme It can lead to violence, hurting others to the point of lives being taken. Some blogs demonize, display anger, label others, make judgements not based on facts. Being well intentioned, none have gone to the extremes, The Church, being an by setting example,  follow Christ. Yes, mistakes are made-apologies are made, asking for forgiveness.

@Mary M

“Seriously, tell me one pro-life candidate running in the last two elections.  I don’t know of a single one.”

Be glad too, but first I need to know if you are referring to the “new pro-life” Cardinal Bernardin created or the original one coined to counter the name “pro-choice,” which was “prolife.”  The creation of these two words, “pro-choice” and “prolife,” after Roe v Wade, contains the context of their meaning.  One is for “choice” i.e., for abortion; the other, “prolife,” is against abortion.  So which one - Cardinal Bernardin’s and the U.S. bishops’ new “pro-life” which includes everything from a living wage and unions to free health care, low cost loans for housing, and even now, ending capital punishment, and, oh yes, against abortion; or, the original single issue one - against abortion?

And to narrow it down a little, what level of government elections were you referring too?

Boehner

You asked for one,. There are many more. Do you know how many members of Congress are catholic and pro life? What Catholics defeated pro-abortion candidates who are physicians and deal with this issue in their practice everyday? What catholic candidates were supported by pro-life organizations? How many catholic candidates defeated pro-abortion candidates - federal, state and local?

What does this have to do with Father Caropi. What is the purpose of your question?

I suggest you educate and look at yourself.

response to maxwell posted today, 4/10/2011

John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Represetatives

You asked for one,. There are many more. Do you know how many members of Congress are catholic and pro life? What Catholics defeated pro-abortion candidates who are physicians and deal with this issue in their practice everyday? What catholic candidates were supported by pro-life organizations? How many catholic candidates defeated pro-abortion candidates - federal, state and local?

What does this have to do with Father Caropi. What is the purpose of your question? Did you go to Mass today to listen carefully, participate and reflect?

I suggest you educate and look at yourself.

That answers my question, thank you.  Republicans first, Catholics second.  Pawns of the Party.

What does “Pawns of the Party” supposed to mean?

(P.S. Looks like my reply to Mary M should have been to you.)

@stilbelieve “The estimates of Catholic voting I’m referring to are church-going Catholics.  The data comes from exit polling during elections.”  Therein likes the flaw of your argument. “church-going Catholics” does not necessarily mean church going each week. I highly doubt exit polls go into that much detail. “And the facts of clergy voter registrations come from my checking the diocese directory of Orange and LA counties with voter registration rolls.” Why do you preoccupy yourself with voting records of clergy? I would doubt they are revealing to anyone who they voted for. They need to have their hearts changed and that is not something we can control. If anyone in your parish is suggesting or distributing material to people concerning who they should vote for then you need to speak with the Pastor about this because they are in violation of the church’s tax-exempt status. Do you have an adult education group in your parish? If not, start one. There are many excellent resources on educating adults. Ultimately we are all responsible for our own decisions. It just seems like you are spinning your wheels blaming clergy. I would focus on doing something positive with it like beginning an adult group adding to it if you have one.  I don’t worry what the Bishops are doing or the priests. I’m involved in my parish doing my part to bring Truth into peoples lives. I can control that. I would seriously suggest the same to you. It will bring you peace and satisfaction.

@stilbelieve & @maxwell - I live in Pennsylvania and we have a pro life governor and in my local area a pro-life Catholic Congressman who ousted the pro-choice “Catholic” an another pro life Catholic Congressman so they are out there. We can’t get much done because of the Senate and our pro choice President.

Governor Corbett signed two warrants in February, 2011 = not pro life

death warrants, this is

@Mary M

“…’church-going Catholics’ does not necessarily mean church going each week. I highly doubt exit polls go into that much detail.”

Some do, some don’t.  I’ve seen polling where the respondents indicated they attend church AT LEAST once per week.  But it really doesn’t matter that much, the results in how Catholics vote are not drastically different, church attending or not.  For instance a poll this past election season focused on Hispanics that showed that Catholic Hispanics strongly support Democrats for Congress in the upcoming election, while Protestant Hispanics are closely divided. By 69 to 19 percent, Hispanic Catholics supported Democrats over Republicans.  But, Hispanic Protestants said they supported Democrats by 45 percent, while 41 percent said Republicans.  The margin of error was 4.5%. 

The poll found about 64 percent of Hispanic registered voters are Catholic, while 22 percent are Protestant.  So, what is the major difference between these two groups of Hispanics?  Their religion.  Their political preference for Congress reflects on what they are learning from their religion i.e., their “informed conscience.”  Somehow Catholics are more inclined to be and vote Democrat while Protestants are significantly less so.  And what is the difference between Catholic teaching and Protestant teaching that affects voters’ leanings?  Catholics teach a “consistent ethic of life” which includes a whole range of so-called “social justice” issues in addition to the original prolife issue, abortion, while Protestants teach mainly a single issue, the immorality of murdering unborn babies.  Conclusion, social justice issue teaching influences people’s political leanings favorable to the abortion party.  The Church teaching is not based on modern economic facts, i.e., results, but on “intentions” what the politicians say their purpose is.  So, not only are the unborn babies endangered by their historical opponents, they are endangered by the Church’s teaching of “a consistent ethic of life” which in itself is inconsistent.  No one is murdering anyone over healthcare, or housing or food stamps, etc.  The issue concerning issues like those is discovering the BEST way to help people get out of the economic situations they are in.  That is not the issue for the unborn.  Their issue is how to stop their being murdered.  For me, the obvious solution is to keep the pro-abortion party from having any power to stop the overturning of Roe v Wade.  And Catholics are the single, largest voting block for the pro-abortion party keeping it in power.

Once you stop the legal murdering of babies, then you continue on working on changing peoples hearts and minds.  Just like murder will never be ended by laws, abortion won’t either.  But removing the legality of it will stop 99% of it – and that is a good thing.  That 1% is now something we can get our arms around.  The Catholic Church can be in the forefront of this moral, public movement.  They were there in the beginning, but then they politicized it by injecting social issues that are not very different than socialist, communist issues.  Why???  Cardinal Bernardin said it was “to keep the prolife movement from falling completely under the control of the right wing conservatives who were becoming its dominant sponsors.”  He succeeded.  Now, Catholics who support the pro-abortion party say they are “pro-life” too.  He and the bishops took a life and death situation, abortion, and turned it into a materialistic one – people having better life styles.  And for that reason 51,000,000+ babies have been murdered and still counting with no end in sight.  The bishops, clergy and half of the Catholic population are going to have to answer to God for this.  “Good intentions” are a poor substitute for determination and actions to end an evil.

Those same Church leadership positions didn’t do a good job dealing with the sexual abuse situations, and may not be doing a good thing handling this issue with Fr Corapi.

@Maxwell

“Governor Corbett signed two warrants in February, 2011 = not pro life.”

Who says this is not prolife?  Where did you ever get that idea?

@stillbelieve

The catechism and Pope John Paul II.  Before you launch again into your diatribe about the history of the term pro-life, and your dislike of Cardinal Bernardin - I disagree and don’t really care.

Zechariah 13:7-9 - Awake, O Sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is my associate, says the LORD of hosts.  Strike the shepherd that the sheep may be dispersed, and I will turn my hand against the little ones.  In all the land, says the LORD, two thirds of them shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left.  I will bring the one third through fire, and I will refine them as silver is refined, and I will test them as gold is tested.  They shall call upon my name, and I will hear them.  I will say, “They are my people,” and they shall say, “The LORD is my God.”

stillbelieve

You continue stubbornly ignore facts and waste time coming up with statements which are taken out of context or do not understand.

You do not answer excellent questions. Or simply ignore. Why? Are you fearful of looking at yourself?

For example - did you attend Mass today and listen to what is being said TO YOU.

Check the story of Albert Bujols - a Saint Louis Cardinals player. A true Catholic and Follower of Christ. He was highlighted on 60 Minutes this evening. You can view it on the website of CBS. May also be interested in the piece on the Vatican Library.

stillbelieve

You continue to stubbornly ignore facts and waste time coming up with statements which are taken out of context or are misunderstood.

You do not answer excellent directquestions. Or simply ignore. Why? Are you fearful of looking at yourself?

For example - did you attend Mass today and listen to what was being said TO YOU.

Check the story of Albert Bujols - a Saint Louis Cardinals player. A true Catholic and Follower of Christ. He was highlighted on 60 Minutes this evening. You can view it on the website of CBS. May also be interested in the piece on the Vatican Library.

@Maxwell, about capital punishment.

“The catechism and Pope John Paul II.”

And what did Pope JPII say exactly as to why capital punishment should not be used any longer?  And the date of the Catechism and wording used to enlighten the faithful why CP is no longer an acceptable moral why of punishment for guilty capital offenders.

This will just be between you and me; prolife (mine) and pro-life (yours, I presume) will not be restated for fear of offending your sensibilities, or more likely, boring you.  I’ll just use the words you give me; facts and common sense.  OK?

And if your answer is going to be, “Because the Pope and the Catechism say so”, that will be fine; but just give me the exact words they used that enabled you to believe their new teaching.  I’ll take it from there.

stillbelieve
stillbelieve

response to maxwell posted today, 4/10/2011
———————
This was posted for stillbelieve. Sincere apology Maxwell!
John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
You asked for one,. There are many more. Do you know how many members of Congress are catholic and pro life? What Catholics defeated pro-abortion candidates who are physicians and deal with this issue in their practice everyday? What catholic candidates were supported by pro-life organizations? How many catholic candidates defeated pro-abortion candidates - federal, state and local?
What does this have to do with Father Caropi. What is the purpose of your question? Did you go to Mass today to listen carefully, participate and reflect?

I suggest you educate and look at yourself.

stillbelieve

What do you still believe?

stillbelieve

Regarding the death penalty.

Come on. Give us a complete quote. What did he really say to you and the faithful? Post the complete statement.  You again take out of context, a familiar and widely used tactic and maneuver. An error and mistake. You implicate.

Pope John Paul II represented Christ who acted through him. John Paul was inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit. Are you challenging the Holy Spirit?

PJPII is very disrespectful. Pope John Paul II will soon be canonized.

Please respond..

@stilbelieve & @maxwell.There is a vast difference between the INNOCENT person being murdered in their mother’s womb and someone who has been convicted and found GUILTY. The Church’s teaching says that abortion is always wrong. The Church says that executions are to be used as a last resort. When the guilty can be kept confined in a secure environment there is no reason to execute. If the person would be a threat to society then execution would be permitted. Please note the difference between INNOCENT and GUILTY. This is not my opinion. This is the Church’s position. Death warrants have been signed in Pennsylvania for years and there have been no executions and probably never will be. Catholics make up a very large voting block in the United States and if they voted “correctly” our Nation would not be in the position it finds itself now. Catholics like every other group in the country and in Europe have to a large degree become secular. They do not practice their faith and their decisions including who they vote for are not faith based. They identify themselves as “Catholic” but they really are not. This speaks to the general decline of morality in society as a whole and in the United States in particular. There needs to be a general reorientation of ones priorities. Families need to go to Church and live out their Catholicity every day. I see it in my own parish. Parents send their children to CCD but practically none of them attend Mass! Even those who send their children to the parish school do not attend Mass! What is that all about? The Sacraments have become nothing more than a “Rite of Passage”. How are we ever going to expect change from our elected officials with this type of mentality?  If we Catholics were living our faith we would demand changes from our elected officials. We can’t blame anyone but ourselves collectively as Catholics. We have failed to truly be Catholic. Until we all decide to be true to our faith we can’t expect change. But, each one of us in our own way can contribute to change by educating and catechising. Our Baptism calls for this. One person at a time we can make a difference. The Fr. Corapi “issue” has nothing to due with the Church. It is his order that is handling the investigation.

It’s really not an issue for debate with Pope John Paul II - he does not equivocate or try to leave wiggle room.

The new evangelization calls for followers of Christ who are unconditionally pro-life: who will proclaim, celebrate and serve the Gospel of life in every situation. A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform. I renew the appeal I made most recently at Christmas for a consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary. (Pope John Paul II, St. Louis, MO, January 1999)

Punishment cannot be reduced to mere retribution, much less take the form of social retaliation or a sort of institutional vengeance. Punishment and imprisonment have meaning if they serve the rehabilitation of the individual by offering those who have made a mistake an opportunity to reflect and to change their lives in order to be fully reintegrated into society. (Pope John Paul II, Jubilee Homily to Prisoners, Rome, July 2002)

He calls recourse to the death penalty “unnecessary” and painfully reminds us that our “model of society bears the stamp of the culture of death, and is therefore in opposition to the Gospel message.” (Pope John Paul II, World Day of the Sick, Washington, DC, February 2003)

@Maxwell - I do not believe that all prisoners can be rehabilitated and put back into society. I,personally, am not in favor of the death penalty because if we execute the condemed they may not have an opportunity to repent. I do believe that prisoners should be confined to prison for the protection of society at large and executed only as a last resort. Pope John Paul II spoke very wisely and it helped us reflect more on the value of every human life but he did not speak definitively on Church teaching. These are his opinions even though they are good ones. We have to be careful to separate opinion from official Church teaching.

Mary, Mary, Mary -  ” I,personally, am not in favor of the death penalty because if we execute the condemed they may not have an opportunity to repent.”

opportunity to repent??  That is way down the list on why the Church opposes the death penalty.

Number one is that we don’t have the right to take life unless it is in the immediate defense of others.

Two might be that we are bound to forgiveness and an opportunity for rehabilitation (even if one never leaves prison confines).

Three is that WE DO NOT HAVE A SYSTEM THAT GUARANTEES THAT WE ALWAYS CONVICT THE GUILTY.  Even the remotest possibility that we could execute an innocent person (which we absolutely have done in the this country) makes it an untenable position- period, no debate on that.

“We have to be careful to separate opinion from official Church teaching.”  Huh??

So, are you saying that the Pope doesn’t actually teach, he only offers opinions?  He only teaches if he’s speaking Ex Cathedra?  That would be a Church that I’m not familiar with.  The death penalty was an issue that Pope John Paul was very passionate about and he taught about many times.  This type of attempt to nit-picking and twisting of Church teaching to justify or pass off institutional slaughter (100’s alone in TX every year) is exactly what John Paul II deplored and why he taught as he did. 

That post is arrogant, condescending and preposterous.

Response to Annie’s Post on March 28 at 11:54 pm

My response on March 29 Post had some typo errors I didn’t notice because of the late hour, here is the
corrected version.

    O’k Annie, you should have held it in and thought about it some more. Yes a priest is just
a man and a 100 dollar bill is just paper however the 100 dollar bill is more than just paper and
a Priest is more than just a man. The 100 dollar bill is an instrument that brings you food, water and
necessities so you can live; So to a Priest is an instrument chosen by Jesus through which Jesus makes
himself present to us in the Eucharist and through the waters of Baptism, the necessities of Eternal Life.
    JESUS died on the cross to give us the Mass and Eucharist.
The Priests anointed hands bring us the Eucharist and the waters of Baptism. The Priests hands bring
us the sacrament of Reconciliation so that we won’t die an Eternal Death.
    We don’t adore Priests but we do adore Jesus who is made present to us at adoration through the
Priest however if you go to Casino’s you will see people sitting before gambling machines for hours
and hours in a hypnotic trancelike state adoring the hope of winning a 100 dollar bill.

    Annie certainly Priests are not treated like porcelain dolls, no way, no how. On your last day on earth
do you really want a professional baseball player,lawyer, doctor or someone like Lady Gaga looking
at you on your sick bed? They would be just as useless as porcelain dolls no closer to God than any
other piece of porcelain.

    I don’t know about you but 90 seconds before I die I want a Priest who by JESUS COMMAND
Baptised me, forgave me, brought me communion and will administer to me the Last Rites so I
will enter Eternal Life with Jesus and all my loved ones in Heaven. Oh how beautiful it will be.

    Yes Annie Priest’s are just men but they are more then just well trained men, so don’t ask me
to treat them like a porcelain doll that would taken down and put back on a shelf when you want to,
their Hands bring me Jesus in the sacraments and Eternal Life

    No Annie if the devil wants to effect our society he will get people to disrespect the Priesthood
and to treat lightly the sacraments and THATS ABOUT IT.!

@Maxwell

Thank you for your reply.

You provided the following:
“Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform.”  JPII St. Louis 1999

“Punishment and imprisonment have meaning if they serve the rehabilitation of the individual by offering those who have made a mistake an opportunity to reflect and to change their lives in order to be fully reintegrated into society. (Pope John Paul II, Jubilee Homily to Prisoners, Rome, July 2002)”

“He calls recourse to the death penalty ‘unnecessary’ and painfully reminds us that our “model of society bears the stamp of the culture of death, and is therefore in opposition to the Gospel message.’ (Pope John Paul II, World Day of the Sick, Washington, DC, February 2003)

Maxwell, the first and third quotes of JPII, he says “Modern society has the means of protecting itself” from such individuals.  And, “He calls recourse to the death penalty ‘unnecessary.’”

I will add one more from the CCC 2267, “If bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lives against an aggressor and to protect public order and the safety of persons, public authority should limit itself to such means….” 

The FIRST issue I raise is the evidence he has that enables him to say, “Modern society has the means of protecting itself” and “recourse to the death penalty (is) ‘unnecessary.’”  Have you seen ANY evidence supporting his statements?
Has ANYONE seen any evidence that such capital offenders are rendered COMPLETLY incapable of harming another innocent person in or outside of prison? The 2nd edition of the CCC states in 2267 (copyright 1994), IF bloodless means are sufficient to defend human lives…and protect public order and the safety of persons….”  Where is the evidence that “bloodless means are sufficient?”  Certainly somebody must have done the research to enable JPII and the entire Church to go out on a limb and change centuries of Church position in support of capital punishment.  Where’s the evidence?

The SECOND issue I raise with the Church’s new position on capital punishment is summarized with words like giving capital offenders a “chance to reform.”  The pope even said, “Punishment and imprisonment have meaning if they serve the rehabilitation of the individual by offering those who have made a mistake an opportunity to reflect and to change their lives in order to be fully reintegrated into society.” (I don’t think this quote fits in with the specific discussion on ending capital punishment.  I think it is referring to non capital offences.  But it does illustrate an aspect of the rational for ending CP that I have seen, and that is life in prison gives the offender time to repent and be forgiven for his or her sins, enabling them to go to heaven when they die.)

This second issue is most troubling.  What about the capital offenders’ victims?  I haven’t seen or heard where the Church has automatically forgiven the sins of those individuals who were murdered by their assailant.  Maybe I’ve missed it.  But what if the murdered person had no time to say a perfect contrition, or was so freighted that they couldn’t really think of making a perfect contrition, or they never accepted the Lord Jesus as their savior.  What happened to those that were in the state of mortal sin, or were non believers?  Is it scriptural that murders should have time in prison until their natural death so they can have the chance to repent and enter heaven while their victims may be suffering in Hell?  Besides, seems to me that if reform or repentance is a rational for ending CP, then isn’t knowing the exact date and time of your death MORE of an incentive to repent and seek forgiveness?

I look forward to you or someone providing the evidence the Church has that enables them to say the public will never be harmed again by such individuals serving life sentences.  But that is only for us advanced societies.  What about those backward countries that don’t have our prison security?  Are they bound by this new position on CP by JPII and the Church?  Also, what about those prison personal who participate in administering CP, are they committing a sin; is anyone committing a sin participating in capital punishment?

DONT READ THIS

P.S.  The recent attacks against Fr. Corapi is a spiritual form of guerrilla warfare and
hand to hand combat creating a fog of war which casts doubt in people’s minds. Lets not
be fair weather friends to Fr. Corapi. Lets use Padre Pio’s weapon , the rosary to combat
the devil’s attacks against Fr. Corapi.
    I ask Our Blessed Mother of Perpetual Help and Our Lady of Victories to intercede on
behalf of Fr. Corapi to bring him comfort and a speedy Victory in this situation.
    For the sake of Jesus sorrowful passion have Mercy on us and on the whole world!!

Now that you read this please pray for Father Corapi…..

@Maxwell - Gee, Maxwell - sounds like I hit a nerve!  “So, are you saying that the Pope doesn’t actually teach, he only offers opinions?  He only teaches if he’s speaking Ex Cathedra?”  Maxwell,I never said that he only teaches if he’s speaking Ex Cathedra. Those are your words.  I’m attaching a link to what I think is a very well thought-out article. http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=7453
@stilbelieve - “This second issue is most troubling.  What about the capital offenders’ victims?  I haven’t seen or heard where the Church has automatically forgiven the sins of those individuals who were murdered by their assailant.” God can only forgive sins. We must entrust these victims to God’s mercy that these victims had they had the opportunity, they would have repented. Only God knows what was in their hearts.

unbelieve

Read today’s Gospel and First Reading.
God does not condemn or punish the guilty, but the guilty must repent.
.
This is is a dogma of the the Church and is followed consistently. The pope speaks for Christ. Pope Bendedict also reenforces this in The Catechism, which he initiated and edited.

Yes, the Church makes mistakes. They are recognized, apologies are made, corrections and reforms are made.
This is REPENTANCE.

david, posted this AM

“guerrilla warfare, war, pray the rosary to combat “??  Very false and poor reasoning, incorrect and almost sinful. Another strategy trying to throw off true believers.  Does Mary, the MOTHER of Christ, agree with you? If you really believe this you are at war with the Church!, of which you are amember of the Body of Christ. Are you at war with yourself?

When truth is presented, silence comes, ignored or “combatted in war”.

@stillbelieve

Thank you for that response.  I am very relieved to hear that your points on CP are that the Church teaching is incorrect (and I’m not at all being sarcastic).

I happen to believe the Church teaching on CP is correct, but there are others that I think are incorrect - so I have respect for your position.

What I have a problem with is when people take what is clear teaching of the Church and try to twist it to say it says something it doesn’t intend to say. 

As far as your request for evidence that we have the capability to restrain a killer, help me understand what you’re asking for.  Charles Manson hasn’t killed anyone since we locked him away - there’s evidence.  The Pope says “society has the means.”  We can lock people up in solitary confinement for ever if you need evidence.  Clearly we have the means to protect ourselves.  If a riot happens and a prisoner kills a guard or another prisoner, that is because our system had a failure - not because we didn’t have the means.  Because of a rare instance where the system fails, that justifies killing hundreds of people a year (even some who might be innocent)?  “Sorry, we have to kill you because you might kill someone in prison, we can’t say for sure, and the odds are extremely long that you would - but we just aren’t confident enough in the system we pour billions of dollars into every year, so we’re just going to make it easy on ourselves and off you.  What’s that you say?  Almost none of the prison killings are perpetuated by prisoners in prison for capital crimes?  What’s that you say?  You still claim you’re innocent and much of the evidence used to convict you was circumstantial?  Too bad…”

Anyway, I hope you have a very good week!

@Mary M
@E. Patrick Jarus

No answer for the “first issue” question?  Care to offer one?

@Mary M. “We must entrust these victims to God’s mercy”

What about the possible future victims of these capital offenders?  After all, neither the pope nor the other Church leaders have presented evidence that those entrusted to protect us from future harm from such people have the “bloodless means” sufficient to do so.  Yet, the pope and the Church are telling us, the flock and our state and federal governments, that capital punishment should be ended based on what seems to be only the subjective opinion of the JPII tied closely to the theme of “pro-life.”  Is it “pro-life” to totally disregard the well being of innocent human beings to demand/chide governments responsible for protecting the public to do something with no evidence to back it up?  Is it “pro-life” for the loved ones of the victims who are suffering over the loss of their loved one and may be tormented by the fear of where their love ones’ soul is?  Is it “pro-life” to have such serious matters left unaddressed?  Is it “pro-life” to advocate that people lobby their representatives to end something that protects them that, if ended, may result in harm to innocent people in the future?  Is the Church going to be held responsible for those harmed by capital offenders whose lives were spared as a result of the Church’s lobbying to end CP if such people find a way to continue their evil acts?  And why wouldn’t a liability lawyer sue the Church in such a case, especially when there is so much evidence that she was a major player in getting the laws changed.

Also, modern day “pro-life” is applicable for all societies, right?  I mean, wrong is wrong no matter what.  Abortion is always wrong no matter where it is performed.  Is capital punishment also always wrong, wherever?  If consistency is the engine of “pro-life” in all of its attributes, which seems to be the call of modern day “pro-lifers (a “consistent ethic of life”), how do you identify when a government entity has reached the stage for enacting this new anti-capital punishment policy/teaching of the Church?

With the “consistent ethic of life” in mind, if it is wrong/sinful to assist in performing or procuring an abortion, is it also wrong/sinful to assist in carrying out an execution of a capital offender?  And what about those who legalize abortion and execution, the judges, the advocates for; the elected officials who vote for those laws; those who advertize on behalf of procuring abortion and carrying out executions; and those who make and sell the products used to perform these legal acts?  How far does this “consistent ethic of life” penetrate society?

@ E. Patrick Jarus

“Read today’s Gospel and First Reading.”

The First Reading is from the Old Testament which is directed to the Jews.  However, this particular reading is not included in the Jewish canon of Scripture.

The Gospel is about a woman caught in adultery and brought before Jesus to extract a judgment under Mosaic Law, but also in hopes of getting a charge to bring against him.  Mosaic Law calls for her, if found guilty, to be stoned to death.  I find it interesting that Jesus does take the opportunity to deny the correctness of “capital punishment” under the law, but instead uses the unjustness of that law in this case to agree that it be carried out, but starting with anyone who is without sin.  Since no one could step forward, she was spared and sent away with instruction to not sin any more.  I find this story approving of capital punishment, but not in this case and that is why Jesus used sinlessness as the prerequisite for initiating the punishment of a crime he found not meriting execusion.

You also said, “Yes, the Church makes mistakes.”

Are you referring to centuries of support for capital punishment?

I am so sorry for your pain Father Corapi. You have been a great inspiration, miss you! “Be not afraid” God is almighty, Just, and Merciful. Looking forward to seeing/hearing from you on EWTN again.
Grace.

I don’t believe it. Father Corapi is the best. I miss is talked on the TV and radio.

unbelief
Mary M

Mary M   I support you. In good conscience I had to respond to “still believe”. I wonder what he still belives.

stillbelieve

Please examine yourself!
More misunderstanding, rejecting truth.  Terrible,  poor, false reasoning and logic.

!.  Daniel Is in the Catholic Bible Canon. God’s word applies to all people including Jews.
2. The parable from Daniel is about charges and sin against Susannah. She is the Innocent.
3. The parable in John’ Gospel is about an unnamed woman charged with with adultery. She was clearly
    innocent.
4. The chargers in were beheaded. Capital punishment, yes.
5. The point made by the Inspired Writer is all are forgiven Only if repentant. That applies to every one.
6. Reread Pope John Paul carefully and think to understand him. Are you challenging Pope Paul, the Inspired
  Word, the Holy Spirit, or the Body of Christ of which you are a member of. Do you in any way attempt to
  replace God? BE CAREFUL!!

Regarding “bloodless means.”——— PRISON FROM LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE. The convicted has the opportunity
to repent to avoid the “fires of hell”.

  Several prisoners recently had their capital punishment rescinded by their govenors because of DNA
  evidence. Some (eg of Illinois) have banned capital punishment with approval of their legislators This
  will continue. Our country is gradually moving away from capital punishment.

Where and when did Pope John say capital punishment applies to all societies? What documented and peer reviewed evidence do you understand or have.

What documented evidence is there that the Church has approved capital punishment for centuries.

“Church making mistakes”. I also said the Church apologizes, admits, corrects mistakes. Do we do that, do you?
You seem to be picking and choosing like other opinions cafeteria style catholics Catholics and organized groups in our secular relativistic society. Or lack of knowledge or misunderstanding or are you planning to start your own church which will agree with all your views.

I have answered all of the issues I considered in my blog. it is painful, difficult and takes time and research to answer you.

You really distress me. I fear you are spreading your views and may be influencing true Catholics who follow Christ.

I actually feel sorry and pray for you. Again,  BE VERY CAREFUL.

This blog restates and supports Mary M.

@stillbelieve

” Is it “pro-life” to totally disregard the well being of innocent human beings to demand/chide governments responsible for protecting the public to do something with no evidence to back it up?”

Why do you say that there is no evidence that a government cannot protect it’s people against an imprisoned murderer?  As I stated above, you could put the person in solitary for the rest of their live.  What evidence do you need?

“Is it “pro-life” for the loved ones of the victims who are suffering over the loss of their loved one and may be tormented by the fear of where their love ones’ soul is?  Is it “pro-life” to have such serious matters left unaddressed?”

Are you saying that the loved ones of the victims need the murderer killed in order for them to be comforted as to the fate of their loved one’s souls?  God will not welcome the murder victim into heaven until we kill the murderer?  That’s pretty twisted man!

“Is it “pro-life” to advocate that people lobby their representatives to end something that protects them that, if ended, may result in harm to innocent people in the future?”

If the murderer has life in prison, how is that going to harm innocents in the future?

“how do you identify when a government entity has reached the stage for enacting this new anti-capital punishment policy/teaching of the Church?”

The point is that when a government has the ability to protect itself from a murderer without killing him, then they need to resort to that solution.  If they are not at a point where they can protect themselves, then the CP is considered self-defense.  The executioners have to make that moral clarification and live with the consequences.

And just to add it for the sake of argument, I believe that any governor who signs a death warrant when he/she has the sole discretion to commute the sentence is guilty of direct murder.  In the case of George Bush, he has over 150 murders to atone for before or when he meets his maker.

@E. Patrick Jarus

1.  The Old Testament was written for the Jews, the Chosen People, and only for them.  It is there story of promises made to them by God which included a promise of a redeemer.  We, the non Jews, the non Chosen People, come into the Bible in the New Testament.  As for today’s First Reading, my Catholic Bible has a footnote saying “these two chapters” (13, 14) are “excluded from the Jewish canon of Scripture, but the church (h)as always included them among the inspired writings.” 

2. skip

3.  You said John’s Gospel was about “…an unnamed woman charged with adultery. She was clearly innocent.”
My Catholic Bible says this in chap 8, v 4; They (the scribes and the Pharisees) said to him, “Teacher, this woman was CAUGHT (my emphasis) in the very act of committing adultery.”  No mention that she was “clearly innocent.”

4&5 skip

6.”’Evangelium Vitae’ (The Gospel of Life) issued March 25, 1995 after four years of consultations with the world’s Roman Catholic bishops, John Paul II wrote that execution is only appropriate ‘in cases of absolute necessity, in other words, when it would not be possible otherwise to defend society.  Today, however, as a result of steady improvement in the organization of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.’” 
“Until this encyclical, the death penalty was viewed as sometimes permissible as a means of protecting society. The universal catechism – book of rules – for Catholics had affirmed the right of the state to punish criminals with appropriate penalties ‘not excluding in cases of extreme gravity, the death penalty.’”
From the encyclical letter on the various threats to human life this paragraph acknowledges the responsibility “authority” has to fulfill “the purpose of defending public order and ensuring people’s safety….” March 25, 1995. 
“It is clear that, for these purposes to be achieved, the nature of extent of the punishment must be carefully evaluated and decided upon, and ought not go to the extreme of executing the offender except in cases of absolute necessity: in other words, when it would not be possible otherwise to DEFEND SOCIETY (my emphasis).  Today, however, as a result of steady improvement in the organization of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if not practically non-existent. “
In any event, the principle set forth in the new Catechism of the Catholic Church remains valid: IF BLOODLESS MEANS ARE SUFFICENT TO DEFEND HUMAN LIVES AGAINST AN AGGRESSOR AND TO PROTECT PUBLIC ORDER AND THE SAFETY OF PERSONS, PUBLIC AUTHORITY MUST LIMIT ITSELF TO SUCH MEANS, BECAUSE THEY BETTER CORRESPOND TO THE CONCRETE CONDITIONS OF THE COMMON GOOD AND ARE MORE IN CONFORMITY TO THE DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON (My emphasis). (46) Catechism of the Catholic Church No. 2266 (47) Cf. ibid.

I agree with JPII on what he said above - SO FAR.

SEE MY NEXT POST FOR WHY I DON’T IN FINALITY

@ Maxwell
@ E. Patrick Jarus
@ Mary M
@ David
@ Abigail
@ et al

Please google PelicanBayPrisonOperationBlackWidow.

“Federal prosecutors say gang leaders have orchestrated hundreds of murders from inside maximum-security prisons.  The Corrections Department say there’s little it can do to stop the killings, ordered by inmates who have nothing to lose and nothing but time.” 

“Here is the most secure prison in California and this is what’s happening inside the walls,’ (Cmdr. Scott) Swanson said (Santa Rosa Police Department).  ‘I don’t want to be a politician and say it’s a crisis.  I would prefer to let the facts speak for themselves.  But when you talk about a criminal enterprise that’s been responsible for hundreds of murders over the years and thousands of robberies, extortions and what it does to the community, is that a crisis?  You decide.”
“Prison resources are already stretched too far, Parry said (Asst. Dir of Corrections Department)  And in prison, gang members have nothing but time and nothing to lose.  They’re at risk’ said Joseph McGrath, Pelican Bay’s warden.  ‘Many of them are serving life terms.  They don’t have to worry about being stabbed or challenged by other inmates because of their secure environment.  Yet they can send and order out, and because their structure is so sophisticated they know that if somebody doesn’t carry out their orders, someone else will take care of that person.”
“These inmates live alone in antiseptic cells that are painted white with a glass wall so that guards can always see inside.  Meals are brought to the cells and they are allowed outside only one hour a day, alone, to exercise in a small concrete yard.  Clothing, bedding and personal items are X-rayed before they’re placed in a cell.  Inmates sleep on a mattress on top of a concrete slab.  Toilets are stainless steel, with no removable parts.  Despite such intense security, gang leaders have managed for years to effectively communicate with members of foot soldiers in other prisons and on the outside, prosecutors said.”
MURDER FROM THE INSIDE OUT, The Orange County Register, Sunday , April 29, 2001.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE MIND OF EVIL.  9-11 SHOULD HAVE TAUGHT US THAT

WHAT WOULD YOU SUPPORTERS OF ANTI-CAPITAL PUNISHMENT HAVE OUR GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES DO THAT THEY ARE NOT ALREADY DOING TO PROTECT OUR SOCIETY FROM SUCH PEOPLE?  CERTAINLY, SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR LIFE ISN’T DOING THE JOB YOU THINK IT IS.  DON’T YOU THINK OUR CHURCH LEADERS SHOULD HAVE DISCUSSED THEIR BELIEFS AND PLANS WITH CORRECTION INSTITUTION EXPERTS IN ORDER TO BEABLE TO ASSURE US OF OUR SAFETY BEFORE STARTING THEIR ANTI-CAPITAL PUNISHMENT CAMPAIGN?  DO YOU THINK THAT PERHAPS THEY SHOULD MAYBE REMOVE THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE FROM THEIR PRO-LIFE AGENDA?

AS I UNDERSTAND, NO INNOCENT PERSON HAS EVER BEEN EXECUTED.  AND OF ALL CAPITAL OFFENDERS WHO COULD HAVE RECEIVED THE DEATH PENALTY, ONLY ABOUT 2% ARE ACTUALLY GIVEN CAPITAL PUNNISHMENT.

Correction.  Warden, Joseph McGrath’s remarks (3rd paragraph) should have said, “They’re not at risk.

@stillbelieve

First off, you’re quoting a 10 year-old interview from one prison that has been an utter failure in any attempt at redemption and rehabilitation.

Secondly, this is the symptom of a systematic failure.  It doesn’t prove that the capability isn’t there, only that capability has not implemented and sustained correctly.

Thirdly, it is a prime example of what has vexed Church leaders about our country for decades.  That is, we have a viciously violent society that is unmatched by any developed nation.  You know the violent crime statistics in other countries that have gun laws and no capital punishment don’t even compare.

Fourth, to play out your logic you’re saying that not only do we need to keep killing people, we need to kill more of them!  You can’t resolve a violent population by developing a more violent government - it just doesn’t work.

Fifth, where did you hear that an innocent person has never been executed?  And the 2% number is a gimmick number.  The number to pay attention to is 100’s of individual human souls.

Mary M

It is hard to believe they carry on with this utter nonsense. It is such a waste of time for them. And for us. I feel it may be useless for us not to respond and quit. There is no response by them to or admit anything. They just spew out terrible logic, reasoning, taking out of context, distorting, not understanding

I will perservere and I am sure you will also. However I will be very specific and choosy in the issuues
I respond to.

Their words expose their real inner selves

Dear E.Patrick Juras, M.D,

You conveniently left out the words SPIRITUAL FORM of guerilla warfare in your incorrect quotation
of me. Also you left out SPIRITUAL FORM of hand to hand combat ! Hey Doc the key words are “spiritual
form”.  It was meant to be an image to show how dirty the attacks on Fr. Corapi are just like hand to
hand combat.
      Fr. Corapi has often said we are in Mortal combat with the Devil. The Battle of Good versus Evil.
St. Paul uses military imagery when tells believers to put on the Armor of Christ and to carry the sword
of scripture etc. The Blessed Mother crushes the head of the serpent. This is the imagery of warfare Sir.
      How can you be a Doctor and not understand simple analogies and metaphors? Or could it be
you really aren’t a Physician. Padre Pio called his rosary his weapon, Dont you remember Fr. Corapi’s
talk mentioning how Padre Pio called for his weapon?
      Or maybe you dont listen to Fr. Corapi’s talks. You said I used incorrect and poor reasoning and
yet you can’t use reason to understand the simple imagery of Spiritual battle that I used.
      If you really are a DOCTOR, people should be terrified that you will also misread the medical diagnosis
and cut the wrong leg off.
      Your not a Doctor. A Doctor would be more thorough in his reading.
You said my strategy was trying throw off true believers. Are You Nuts ?
      Read Ephesians 6, where St. Paul uses Military imagery to combat evil !
Better get your blood pressure checked E. Patrick Juras M.D., you don’t sound to good.

@Maxwell

The article was reported in the news years after the statements of JPII on the subject.  The Church leaders certainly didn’t appear to interview the correctional people about their “beliefs” on public safety.  Here again is what JPII said, “Today, however, as a result of steady improvement in the organization of the penal system, such cases (i.e., the need to execute.  My clarification) are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.”  IF BLOODLESS MEANS ARE SUFFICENT TO DEFEND HUMAN LIVES AGAINST AN AGGRESSOR AND TO PROTECT PUBLIC ORDER AND THE SAFETY OF PERSONS, PUBLIC AUTHORITY MUST LIMIT ITSELF TO SUCH MEANS”

Pelican Bay prison was the newest and most secure prison in California.  And you want to blame the correctional facility for the evil that bad men will find ways to continue doing?  I think you’re being very hard on the correctional system and very forgiving to the capital offenders - and our Church leadership.  If I could come across this article just reading my Sunday paper 10 years ago, how could the entire Church infrastructure miss it for the last 10 years?  I’d be more concerned with that than blaming the correctional facility for not being able to redeem and rehabilitate some very bad, evil people.  After all, it is the Church’s responsibility to verify what they are going to claim is not only possible to be done but in fact is being accomplished.  The Department of Corrections isn’t going around saying they can control and rehabilitate these criminals such that they will never harm anyone again – the Catholic Church leadership is saying that.  And they are wrong based on this article.  I wish they were right – but they’re not.  The question is: What to do now?  Continue keeping our heads in the sand – or address the facts straight on, come what may?  And, attacking the messenger is the worst thing to do because it only exposes the fears one has of being wrong.  Better to open ones mind and search for the truth by investigating the facts so one can obtain an informed conscience.  Right now, it appears to me that many Catholics have a misguided conscience on this subject

Maxwell, you said, “You can’t resolve a violent population by developing a more violent government”

First of all, the government is not violent in carrying out its responsibility to protect the public. Capital punishment is a civil way of handling a difficult situation.  And execution is not “killing.”  (And as an aside – “killing” is not murder.  The Fifth Commandment is “Thou shall not murder;” that is, if you want the law given to the Jews by God.  It is not, “Thou shall not kill;”  I don’t know why the Church translates it that way)

Secondly, you can’t “wish” people to be better who have proven to be the worst of the worst.  That doesn’t mean that evil people can’t change if they want, but they have to want to - not you wanting it for them.  However, perhaps what is needed is someone like you with your belief system to go work with these criminals and help rehabilitate them.

As for the 2% statistic, that is what I have consistently heard in discussions of people working in the criminal justice field.

By the way, did you google PelicanBayPrisonOperationBlackWidow?  There were a lot of articles on this case, some several years newer or updated.  I didn’t read them; I just used my copy of the article I have.  You might find some facts in them that can discredit what I said.

This is not a matter of “guilty until proven innocent.” No Church authority has made any indication that Fr. Corapi is thought to be guilty of anything. However, there is a question about him; and in this day and age, it is impossible for him to function credibly as a priest until that question is resolved.

For far too long, many in authority in the Church ignored credible allegations, and thus many priests were permitted to continue to commit sex crimes for years. The Church now needs to re-establish its credibility, and that means taking every complaint seriously until it is resolved. That is the price we must pay for our failure to stop the molestation of children in the past.

It hurts, but that is what we must do to protect innocent victims from sexual abuse. Please pray that this matter may be resolved quickly, and that the truth may be found.

-Joe Offer-

I am absolutely appalled at the lack of Christian charity by some of you in your responses. The latest being David to Dr. Juras. What gives anyone the right to berate someone? This is a Christian Catholic blog. If you’re not Christian then you need to know that our responses must not include an attack on anyone on a personal level. If you are Christian, then you need to ask yourself why you feel the need to attack someone personally since you should know better. We are talking about the dignity of the human person, and in this case as it applies to capital punishment. The same dignity should be extended to all who post comments even if we disagree in the substance of the comment.

@stilbelieve

We’ll never agree.  But I do want to know based on your latest, do you think the problem is that we don’t kill enough people?  Because it certainly sounds like that’s where you’re headed.

stillbelieve
otherbloggers
Mary M.

stillbelieve
You continue your tactics and strategies——taking out of context, not responding to all issues (cafeteria) style. I feel you only read what you want to read—-you pick and choose and respond and respond only to those you choose.

I put to you the following challenges
1. Call and talk to me on the phone. Blogs are not a way to communicate. My phone numbes—-231 264-9571,  mobile 231 883-6204. You have my name and email address which are posted.

  2. read and honestly reflect on the blogs of the last 3 days.

  3. Think about whom you are blogging with. Their vocations, education, experiences, desires, family, pains—  You would be shocked if you knew.

4. Get on with debating re Father, rather than attacking me and others the Church with its clergy. And Scripture.We are at war with the world. Use the weapons, the talents God has given you.

5. Pray, communicate with God. Receiving the Eucharist is communicating with God and a thanksgiving. He thanks you by giving YOU HIS BODY AND BLOOD.
    LISTEN.Do not treat receiving the host as a routine ritual, get rid of any distractions. Your false inner self does this.Go to your true self and   listen to God. The Eucharist is the greatest gift given to us by God, .A MIRACLE.  Christ said “This is My Body———-This is MY Blood”

6.Meditate on todays Mass Readings in silence.Take time.alone. Not one day or every day. They are clearly against capital punishment. Also apply to today. THe Word of God TODAY.

7. Meditate on what Christ has commanded YOU in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. Pray the only Prayer He gave to us!!  The Our Father,  The Lord’s Prayer: in your own “room”, by yourself, in silence.

8. Challenge, respond to, ask question any thing I have said in this blog. CLEARLY with good logic.

9. Pray for me, and yourself. Father Caropi, the Church and its members. One of which is YOU!

10. Define terms and be clear. Your last blog was clearly not.

This blog is not against you as a person and human being which I respect. Not being personal.  It challenges what you say or do.

Waiting for a good response.97

@Maxwell

“We’ll never agree.”

Just what do you think “We’ll never agree” on?

As for your question to me –  let me rephrase it using the correct terminology for this subject - “Do I think we are not executing enough people?”

Well, Max ;) (E. Patrick Juras likes to play word games with names, your name popped into my head and I couldn’t resist it) the truth is I’ve never thought about “numbers” when discussing capital punishment.  I’ve only thought about justice and what is the right thing to do to protect innocent people from harm.  It’s like this - babies are murdered legally in our country because of a major error on the part of our U.S. Supreme Court.  Women are tortured the rest of their lives for what they consented to do, tortured (most of them) by Satan whispering in their minds that God will never forgive them now for what they have done.  Lives are shattered and people just try to press on afterwards.  Men, some, also are affected by what they have participated in that resulted in a life being murdered, and there was nothing they could do legally to stop it.  This error operating is society is like passing by someone that isn’t asking for help but obviously is in need of it - for instance like a young woman at night dressed in shabby dark clothing leaning over a sprinkler system in front of a well lit gas station next to a fast food place trying to wash her face with a bundle of something laying on the sidewalk behind her.  Do I make a u-turn after the light turns green to see if I can help her in some way, or do I drive on to where I was going?  People are hurting, innocent human life is being murdered just because they existed…all because of a serious error in a judicial ruling over a legal case that was a lie in the first place.  Do I let this error continue to play on or do I do what I can to get it corrected so it doesn’t create the havoc in peoples’ lives that it has?  I see critical elements that, if corrected, can end this unnecessary havoc.  In this case, a major religion has the right position on this error, but half of its members are supporting this havoc in contradiction to what they say they believe.  If the Church leaders address this mistake in their congregations’ spiritual thinking, then the people may become unified in their opposition to this error that created this havoc.  And they could then help put in place those in governmental positions who will correct the error which exist only because of one major political organization’s continued support of it.  If those in the congregations withdrew their support of that organization, and told the organization they are and why, that organization would have to change their support for the error, or lose their power to protect it and every thing else they want.

An error is occurring in a new issue involving life and death - capital punishment.  More people will suffer havoc and harm IF what is being “promised” - is unattainable.  Factual evidence is available showing, so far, what is being promised - a less violent, more loving society - is not attainable using the assumptions being put forth by those who are trying to change what is currently working to protect the public from further havoc and harm.  The issue is not the numbers of those receiving capital punishment.  The issue is the assumptions made, by those promising a better society for everyone if capital punishment is ended - are false.  In this issue – I am only interest in truth, justice and what is the right thing to do to protect innocent people from further unnecessary harm.

Mary M,  Christian charity doesn’t mean we have to tolerate inaccurate quotes and commentary based
on false premises.
  If you read Dr. Juras’s post one really has to wonder whether he is really a Doctor like he states
when he leaves out key words and phrases when he quotes someone and then comes to completely
false conclusions. So if he is a Doctor he makes me question whether he would also miss key words
in giving a medical diagnosis or when writing a presciption. Wouldn’t anyone question it? After all
he is the one who wants us to know he is a Doctor.
    Mary would’t you want your Doctor to be more thorough when giving you a prescription or
when he was about to cut your leg off? 
    Most people demand greater attention to detail when their waitress is taking their order. God forbid
that their steak come back to them med rare instead of medium. You know how people are Mary.

    Mary , Christian charity demands that we accurately quote someone and the context in which they
are speaking unlike Dr. Juras did when he was quoting me. Mary toughen up a bit don’t be so
appalled because I was using the sting of sarcasm in questioning Dr. Juras’s completely inaccurate
conclusions.

    Being a Catholic and Christian doesn’t mean one should tolerate and sugarcoat inaccurate conclusions
and false premises under the guise of being charitable. When we hear ragtime talk we have a responsibility
to call it for what it is,NONSENSE.

@Mary M

“I am absolutely appalled at the lack of Christian charity by some of you in your responses. The latest being David to Dr. Juras.”

I think you are being a little harsh on David.  What David wrote originally supporting Fr Corapi was within normal literary language for writings on spiritual warfare which David believes is what is occurring in Fr. C’s case.  E. Patrick Jarus’s attack on David’s use of that language was within the typical sneering criticism the good M.D. seems to hold for many of the commentators here with whom he seems to disagree.  Sneers ranging from criticizing their logic, reasoning, understanding, motivations, intensions to even somebody’s name ID.  If there were pictures, he’d probably criticize people’s looks.  I think David disserves at least one good smack back at E. P. J’s style of criticizing, until he realizes that when you boil down what the M.D. has to say – there’s really not a whole lot their contributing to the discussion, especially in offering suggestions that raise the level of thought.

stillbelieve

YOU DO NOT RESPOND, ONLY RANT and SPEW, and RAGE. IF YOU DISAGREE, SAY SO.

I PLAY WORD GAMES. HOW. No one else responds as you do. They seem to support my blogs.

You have my phone numbers. I invite you to contact you,

stillbelieve

You have little humility. Read Thomas Mertons ” NEW SEEDS OF CONTEMPLATION” page 101 on integrity and humility. I strongly advise purchase of that book and meditation on contents.

I begin to speculate that you might represent a group or someone else, like a “mole”. Do you express your views or theirs to attack the Church and members. I think I may be connecting the dots

Mary M

This speculation of mine may be true and very serious.

David

You are getting personal and insulting in your attacks. LAY OFF!!!

@ E. Patrick Juras - Neither one of them bothered to comment on the link I provided a while ago. This “discussion” has turned into the ridiculous and I am afraid a waste of your time and mine. They have way too much time on their hands!!!

David. Do you know what you are doing?

Look up the legal definition of LIBEL. You may be asking for something you will not like. BE CAREFUL. You have posted and documented this libelous comment on the internet which others have have access This is SCANDAL. Look up this definition also. Do you realize I or we have a right to sue for attacks on my and others reputations?

“Forgive them for they know not what they do”

Now who plays on words? You and stillbelieve or me. STOP.

I miss father’s talks on Sunday evenings. I hope he will retun soon. God Bless him.

Mary M

“Neither one of them bothered to comment on the link I provided a while ago.”

Forgive me, Mary, I didn’t realize the link was for me as it was posted in your reply to Maxwell

Anyway, I read the paper on the link entitled “The Purpose of Punishment” and agree that it is “a very thought-out article.”

The concluding paragraph follows:

“The pastors of the Church would do well to return to this type of formulation. The Revised Project was consistent with the Church’s constant teaching on the purposes of punishment, and it also would have been consistent with a doctrinal development to the effect that capital punishment should be imposed only when necessary. A revival of this formulation would allow the pastors to continue their advocacy against the death penalty, but it also would make clear that this advocacy springs primarily from a PRUDENTIAL JUDGMENT and an appeal to clemency rather than from a DOCTRINE that all Catholics are required to believe or hold.”

I think Maxwell would benefit from reading the article as it relates more closely with what the two of you were discussing, as is illustrated in the last sentence of the closing paragraph above.  I capitalized the key words in that sentence to your discussion.

As for me, I think that article validates the position I have been presenting here on the issue of capital punishment.  Regardless of whether the Church teaching is based on a prudential judgment or a doctrinal one, the assumption of the teaching or doctrine is flawed.  In both cases, the question is whether the public can be protected by banning capital punishment because of our “modern” prisons “alleged” ability to keep the capital offenders from harming any one else inside or outside the prison.  I’ve presented irrefutable evidence that our “modern” prisons are not able to do that.  The Department of Corrections as well as the warden of the most modern prison in California states they can’t.  And the proof comes from a three year, $5 million dollar investigation by the FBI, state and local criminal officials entitled “Operation Black Widow. 

My challenge here was to Catholics who supported ending CP because of what JPII was saying; I simply asked for the evidence the pope had, or anybody else in the Church, that proves that modern prisons are able to protect the public from any future harm from such capital offenders if they are locked up for life.  No body was able to provide such evidence to support the new Church teaching.  I presented evidence from an article on Operation Black Widow that proved the new teaching was based on a false assumption on the part of the pope and bishops he consulted with, and therefore should not be taught at all, let alone on the bases that ending capital punishment was in keeping with our “pro-life” position.  Read the articles about Operation Black Widow to learn how impossible it is to provide such safety to the general public. 

Google OperationBlackWidowPelicanBay and become informed.  Then contact you pastor, bishop and educate them to the danger our “new” Church teaching is to society and tell them where they can go to find out for themselves why its dangerous and why we should stop advocating ending capital punishment.

Thanks for the link, Mary.

@stilbelieve - I attended classes with my husband at the Seminary in our Diocese.  Discussion ensued about when CP should be carried out. We were given four “cases” to evaluate. In all but one, life in prison without parole was deemed the appropriate response. There was only one case when carrying out CP was appropriate. It involved an individual who had murdered someone and the area where he lived was not equipped to hold someone in a maximum security environment. The chances of him murdering again were very real. In this case, CP should be carried out. Granted, this is a very, very extreme case. I mentioned to Maxwell several posts ago that my main reason for being against CP was that the prisoner might not have an opportunity to repent. Maxwell laced into me at my comment.  I’m sorry, but I feel very strongly that even the prisoner should have that opportunity. I believe in incarceration for life. Doesn’t God want all to be saved? If we execute that person he/she may never have that opportunity. Isn’t visiting the prisoner one of the commands Jesus gave us?  Mercy needs to be extended to all and that includes the prisoner as well. JPII gave us a beautiful example of that by hearing the confession of the man who tried to kill him. I believe that we need to try and think as God “thinks”. Mercy needs to be extended to all.

@Mary M

“It involved an individual who had murdered someone and the area where he lived was not equipped to hold someone in a maximum security environment.”

That is why “Operation Black Widow” is important to this discussion.  The Church’s new thinking on capital punishment is flawed by her thinking “maximum security modern prisons” means capital offenders will never be able to harm people again.  “Maximum security environment” does not prevent criminal minds from carrying on with criminal activity.  It may mean this person may never be physically capable of getting out of the prison to harm people, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be responsible for beatings, murders, drug deals and robberies.  You sound very sincere in your desire to do what is right, but in this case absent ALL the information may lead people to erroneous conclusions.  Google the story and read all there has been written on it.  I only gave excerpts of the one article I saw written on what can really happen in a maximum security prison.  That was published ten years ago, during a time the Church’s teaching on this issue was starting in earnest to be taught.  The California Department of Corrections and the warden of the most modern, maximum security prison in CA said they can not stop criminal activity carried out by prisoners in solitary confinement.  Certainly, if the Church is basing their new teaching on the “belief” that maximum security prisons prevent capital offenders from further harming innocent people, she needs to talk to those in charge of running these prisons to be sure they are not miss leading us in their teaching. 

Mary, Google those articles, read them, print them out and take them to the diocese and ask if they know about them.  The Church should not be teaching an untruth, and they are now, with this issue, unintentionally or intentionally, I don’t know which.  The article you linked, that I read last night, states clearly that this teaching of JPII is not doctrinal; it’s based on prudential judgment.  I’ve asked for evidence that our modern prisons can deliver a crime free environment where society will never be harmed again by capital offenders as implied in this prudential judgment.  It is clear to me that the Church obviously hasn’t asked for such evidence because it is readily available.  The bishop of the diocese covering Santa Rosa, CA surely should have heard about what happened at Pelican Bay prison ten years ago when federal prosecutors brought charges for murder against 8 prisoners in solitary confinement after “a three-year, $5 million, local, state and federal investigation.”  That investigation “culminated in the 25 count indictment of a total of 12 men and one woman on federal charges of murder, robbery, conspiracy and drug-related crimes.”  This is serious stuff and the Church is not taking it seriously as far as I can see.  They are using CP as part of their “consistent ethic of life” which has become a political tool, not a spiritual one, to the disadvantage of the unborn, and now, the born if capital punishment is banned.  As the Corrections Department says, “There is little it can do to stop the killings, ordered by inmates who have nothing to lose and nothing but time” on their hands.  Please inform yourself, then inform the diocese and see what their thinking is.  Is it complying with the condition that is stated as a prerequisite for ending CP?  Or is it ignoring it for the “sake” of being able to say we have a “consistent ethic of life,” disregarding the safety of society?

Whether doctrinal or prudential judgement, the Church in the United States is as fickle when it comes to the death penalty as it is on abortion.

At any given time, both serve as proxies for an overarching political point of view.

And why not, many of our brother and sisters are political first, Catholic a far second.

@Mary M

“I mentioned to Maxwell several posts ago that my main reason for being against CP was that the prisoner might not have an opportunity to repent.”

I’ve heard that explanation from others, including clergy, who do not “believe” in capital punishment.  I think that would be tolerable for those who were directly affected by the capital offender, as in the case of CPII. However, capital offenders have a lot of time to think about what they have done and what it has gotten them.  Nothing will bring them to a decision to repent and ask for God’s forgiveness, if they are going to do that, than their knowing the exact day and time of their departure from this world.  So, your concerns for their conversion are being met under the current way already.  Ending CP will only extend the time for them to make that decision, if they are ever going to do so.  But is that fair to the loved ones of the person who was murdered, knowing that the murderer is granted life (to repent) while they go day after day without the person they loved?  Isn’t there something not right about pouring salt into their wounds?  And is this decision something that people who have no “skin in the game” should be making out of compassion for the offender?  I don’t think so.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking the opposite of that is absence of compassion – it just means emotionalism isn’t the best way to make life and death decisions, particularly when we don’t have a stake in that decision.

@stilbelieve - Have you ever heard of the “Son of Sam” case? David Berkowitz went on a killing spree in New York City decades ago. He was caught and convicted to life in prison. He identifies himself now as a “Born Again Christian” and ministers to other inmates. He has no reason to do this since he knows that he is never getting out of prison. I can only think the way I believe God would look at the CP situation. I don’t believe that God puts time limits on anyone to repent. God wills the salvation of all.

Mary M

“I can only think the way I believe God would look at the CP situation.”

So you think that God would look at capital offenders continuing to murder and create mayhem out in society while sitting in their solitary cells and what?

He would be angry seeing what they are doing to innocent people?

He would be pleased they were not executed? 

Which is it?

It seems to me that the church’s first response was to transfer the priest in question and not deal directly with the crisis when it first came up. Now they are going to far the other way, but the motive seems the same, they want a quick resolution. I believe this is a delicate situation and Pope John Paul II did attempt to correct the problem by routing out the problem at it’s source, the seminaries. The allegations are almost all before his time in office and we know from the confessions of the Berrigan bros. that this was to an extent deliberately connived by the left. I am sure part of the silence on the liberal policies of the day were kept to a minimum by this blackmail. The church thought it had successfully navigated past the crisis but the left merely went back over 25 years and started to report these cases as the traumatized victims suddenly remembered what happened to them. Coincidence? We are not good at politicizing the truth because the church is all about the truth. Leave politics to Caesar, and give to Christ what is Christ’s. “If you pray and do supplication I will heal you and heal your land”.

@stilbelive - You sound like a very angry individual. Your comments and questions are bizarre and don’t even deserve a reply.

@stillbelieve

I do still wonder how you defend the fact that we are at risk of killing an innocent person.

How do you address that our current system is grossly tilted toward blacks who cannot afford first rate defenses?

Your black widow article addresses prisoners who conduct crimes from inside.  However, these people on the inside are not particularly people convicted of capital crimes - they talk about gang leaders.  So where do you start with the killings?  Everyone with a particular tattoo?  This article talks about prisons with “inmates who have nothing to lose and nothing but time.”  So, what does that tell you?  It tells you that we have a penal system that is only that….penal.  No focus on rebab, just punishment and “nothing” but time.  That’s a prison problem - not a human nature problem.

Would you admit that your position is that we aren’t killing enough people?

Once again “stillbelieve,”  make no mistake I respect you for admitting that you think the Church has made a poor decision - and that our hierarchy is not to be unquestioned.  I think they’re wrong a number of things…Just not this one!!!  Peace

stillbelieve
Mary M———-YES !!!!!

stillbelieve
It is interesting fewer people are blogging and more challenge you. Is this an indication more and more are disagreeing with you or simply ignore your blogs since it is a waste of time and effort. BAD, SAD tragic to miss other’s thoughts and perceptions.  Sad!  And you caused it, I feel.

What group do you belong to or associate with? Are you or your friends Catholic?  If you do not respond we will have our answers! So bug off, STOP and look at yourself.

WE WILL NOT STOP. WILL MOVE ON THE PATH WITH PATIENCE, PERSERVEREANCE,(?), PRUDENCE, PRAYER. TRY IT. NO QUESTION YOU WILL LIKE IT AND COME TO PEACE.

You must understand you are not being accused of anything. We simply being asked questions which are never
answered with so many errors and mistakes.

Mary M

“Your comments and questions are bizarre and don’t even deserve a reply.”

Oh, come on, Mary, you’re the one who is telling me you’re making a decision on CP based on how you believe God would look at the CP situation.  Here’s your quote: “I can only think the way I believe God would look at the CP situation.”

So I give you a situation that is realistic (you read the articles on Operation Black Widow didn’t you?) to see how you would believe God would look at that situation.  That is real life, Mary, like it or not.  JPII said that CP is appropriate if needed to protect the public.  Pelican Bay prison proves that the most modern, advanced prison can not stop capital offenders from harming the public.  The Department of Corrections and the warden of Pelican Bay say they can not stop the murders ordered by inmates in solitary confinement.  So, I ask: What way do you believe God would look at that situation?  What would you believe JPII would say about that situation; after all it was his prudential judgment that changed the historic teaching of the Church and created this dilemma?

stillbelief

Not stated correctly—should be “—questions not answered or with poor logic, mistakes, errors, errors in logic.

Anxiously awaiting your responses.

Good night, sweet dreams——-not being sarcastic, just thinking of you and hope for your attempts for peace and joy.

stiilbelieve

Mary’s answers are biizarre? ——- YOURS ARE!

She demonstrate Patience, Prudence and will Pursue—- can you try it?

and she is looking to God. You should at try it. God will talk to you in some way.

@Maxwell

@“I do still wonder how you defend the fact that we are at risk of killing an innocent person.”

Historical evidence says it hasn’t happen.

@“How do you address that our current system is grossly tilted toward blacks who cannot afford first rate defenses?”

Ah maybe they do a much higher percentage of crime than other races?  Or do you think our criminal justice system is prejudice?

@“Your black widow article addresses prisoners who conduct crimes from inside.  However, these people on the inside are not particularly people convicted of capital crimes - they talk about gang leaders.” 

Ninety-eight % of capital offenders don’t get capital punishment, most get life.  Eight of these rearrested murderers were in solitary confinement, i.e., life, the sentence you say you want the worst of the worst to get, also, rather than executed which is something JPII approves of if the public can not be protected from harm by them. 

@“This article talks about prisons with ‘inmates who have nothing to lose and nothing but time.”’ So, what does that tell you?  It tells you that we have a penal system that is only that….penal.  No focus on rebab, just punishment and ‘nothing’ but time.  That’s a prison problem - not a human nature problem.”

You can’t MAKE a prisoner take rehabilitation classes.  They have to ask for it. 
Don’t blame the prison system for the criminal mind.  Why don’t you volunteer to rehabilitate them if you think that is the problem?  You might be right. 

@“Would you admit that your position is that we aren’t killing enough people?”

I told you what my position is.

@“Once again “stillbelieve,”  make no mistake I respect you for admitting that you think the Church has made a poor decision - and that our hierarchy is not to be unquestioned.  I think they’re wrong a number of things…Just not this one!!!”

And why do you think they are not wrong on this one?  Are you saying that the Correction Department of CA and the warden of Pelican Bay prison are wrong as to whether they can prevent their solitary confinement inmates from committing murders, robberies, beatings and other mayhem?

@stilbelieve - I think JPII has already spoken on the issue and so have I. The CP issue is very, very complex. We live in a world that is so complicated and out of touch with the real meaning of life that it is almost impossible to come up with the “perfect” solution. I live in the Philadelphia area and that City is now going to provide free condoms to children as young as 11 years old! And,if you don’t want to come down and pick up your free condom, they’ll mail it to you!! The United States is falling more and more into moral decline. It’s just a vicious cycle. You asked me if I read Operation Black Widow but you offered no comment on the Son of Sam case I provided you. I am sure there are many,many more people bringing Christ to inmates. My decision on CP is based upon what I believe to be a prudential decision. What would you like to do to solve the “problem” - execute everyone in every state on death row? So let’s put this into proportion. If we were to do that would we be executing more people than people on the “outside” who are killed because the inmate is kept alive? Don’t you think carrying out all of these executions is barbaric? Just the thought of it makes me cringe.  The movie “Dead Man Walking” clearly illustrated what is possible if we take the approach of bringing people to repentance. Your comments don’t contain just concerns for protecting society but include retribution. “But is that fair to the loved ones of the person who was murdered, knowing that the murderer is granted life (to repent) while they go day after day without the person they loved?  Isn’t there something not right about pouring salt into their wounds?”

It’s a funny thing: For those calling themselves “Catholics,” following our one true church, following the Man of Truth, who was himself a victim of the Death Penalty (btw, let’s call it what it is: a DEATH PENALTY, not sanitize it, callin it “capital punishment”), amazing how much suport for it has been in this discussion!

To witness one personally is to know that it in no way can be aligned to the Truth of Christ.

Take THAT @stillbelieve!  Would you have given Jesus the three-kill cocktail???  And, by the way, what about the fact that it still costs the state more money to execute someone than to put them away for life.

By the way, not offense intended, but you argue from a very secular point of view.  I’m just curious if you are Catholic or not.  Thanks

@brendan - actually I’m amazed at how much passionate support against the DP is being given by the likes of Mary and Dr. E Juras.  Usually on these conservative blogs you see people trying to twist and disfigure the words of John Paul II and the Catechism to say things about DP that neither of them intended to say.

DIid you actually have to witness one personally?  I couldn’t imagine….

Yes, I have witnessed in person a death by lethal injection, Texas 1988.

Anyone who has witnessed such a thing first-hand, can not sleep peaceably at night as a Catholic, especially as the state we support, conducts it.

I am constantly amazed and apalled at those who “just happen to be Catholics” who while fighting the good fight in the trenches outside abortiun mills against abortion, wouldn’t (don’t) will not stand outside a prison in protest of the same thing: murder.

stillbelieve

1. Are you the first one to throw stones?
2. Do you live in a glass house?
3.Do you think God’s Covenant (contract) with you is forever and eternal?—Refer to Genesis chapter 17. Do you have a BIBLE.
4. What do you believe?
5. Do you STILL BELIEVE?

Mary M

Others join and support. Do they support unbelieve?
Amazing and a mystery!

I find it amazing that some catholics find it permissable for the the state to take what is yours and give to others(including unions, activists, abortion agencies, foreign governments, socialist activities, banks, foreign businesses and individuals, businesses like GE) but have a problem with the state doing one of it’s intended jobs, ie. protecting the public from criminals especially violent criminals.For almost the entire history of the church it had no problem for the legal use of the the death pentalty to remove those who would prey on the rest of us from this.  We should pray for the conversion of those executed and for their souls.  Keeping these people in prison for their natural life doesn’t work as there is always someone who will release them to prey on the public again.  while charity is a personnel issue, with guidence from our LORD and the only true justice will be at our death and will be in HIS manner.  We have a responsibility for the welfare of our families and their safety, we deligate punishment to the state and I do not see the death penalty as being excessive in the case of worst crimes(any doubt that the top nazi’s deserved what they got!) PRAY for victims and criminals and those who use laws to steal from us to redistribute proceeds from our labor without our consent!

@DAVID

So to be clear, you’ve decided to be a cafeteria Catholic when it comes to Papal teaching and the Catechism.  RIght?

DAVID

No real answers to our direct questions. Just more nonsense -twisting,distorting. Familiar strategies used by you and others.

Why do your refuse to respond to Mary’s intelligent questions?—-can’t, won’t,t, do not have the background, education or experience, being stubborn, or what?

By the way. Are you a faithful member of the ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH or just associate WITH groups or people who continue to wage war on the Church?

No answer or silence is my answer. Just look at your inner self, reflect on your life. Or MOVE ON AND STOP!!!

Call or write to me. My email address is posted. phone number 231 264- 9571. What are yours?

The internet is a valuable tool. So many question how and why the obvious abuses started. eg child abusers, child and adult sexual abusers, degrading human values and dignity, scandals, lies,ranting, not telling or distorting the truth and on and on.

You are invited to join in fighting the war against the SACRED CATHOLIC CHURCH. We will continue to battle
and receive peace and reward. If do not understand any of these concepts, read St Paul, seek advise, contact any of us. Do you have any alternatives or would you leave the the war in retreat.

My wife and I have listened to Father Coropi for a long time.
We totally support Ewtn and the holy Catholic Chruch.

I do think that all great Saints suffered most of their life even by the hands of their own people and faith.

Lent is a great time for Father John to have the nails driven into his hands and for him and us to suffer the pain of lies and persecution.

Father John Coropi is welcomed into our house now and forever because he has already helped me learn about the Mercy of God through his personal life sufferings.

This is one more cleansing that the good Father has to go through.
I know that It will make his soul that much greater in the sight of the Lord. Blessed be God, Blessed be his holy name. Blessed be Jesus!!!!!

@Maxwell

I’m enjoying the stimulating, edgy postings; but as far as David’s comments, I found them to be the most straight forward, common-sensical expression of Christine-Constitutional thinking of anyone who has joined into this discussion we are participating in while waiting for further development on Father Corapi’s situation.

Your short message to David (below) allows me a quick jump in to add my $.02 before I run some soup my wife made over to a 92 year gentleman for lunch a half a mile away.

“DAVID.  So to be clear, you’ve decided to be a cafeteria Catholic when it comes to Papal teaching and the Catechism.  RIght?”

Max, I’m sure David will be able to address your comments quite well, if he wants to, but the last thing you said to me yesterday made me realize you’re a “cafeteria Catholic” on this issue, Capital Punishment.  Here’s what you said: I think they’re wrong a number of things…Just not this one!!!”  You were talking about the Church hierarchy.  You, Mary M and the M.D. are all making up your own religious belief concerning CP.  I’ve quoted what the new teaching is by the very author of it and the CCC.  I’ve pointed out that it is not doctrine but prudential judgment.  The prudential judgment is predicated on an assumption that I have proven is wrong.  Therefore, you’re now knowing the assumption is wrong (you can’t deny the 3 year, $5 million investigation by the local, state and federal criminal justice agencies of the most modern, high tech prison housing criminals in solitary confinement in California; nor the statements by the government officials saying that can’t stop crime being committed by these criminals held in solitary confinement, crimes mo murder, robberies, etc.).  And knowing all of that that, you still are holding to a very liberal view of the penal system, and based on that view, you are dispelling the facts I have present here to cling to your liberal view, not Christian or Catholic teaching, but rather something totally foreign to the what the pope and criminal justice professionals said.  And you seem to be doing it because it fits your political view more comfortably, but you can’t admit that, so you pass it off as a religious view to make it more presentable in a Catholic setting.

I have no problem with that.  I just fine that you and others arguing so passionately for your position to end capital punishment on the bases of what you “think” the Church “means” verses what she said is sad coming from Catholics.  But over 55% of Catholics voted for our first ever pro-abortion, pro-infanticide president, so I’m not surprised by such double standards when it comes to faith vrs politics.  In half the Catholics, politics wins out over their professed faith

@stillbelieve

Can you focus and stick to a subject?  I asked a simple question of David to find out if he thinks he is an orthodox Catholic or one who likes to pick and choose.

I personally would not be offended if you called me a cafeteria Catholic, by some people’s judgement that’s would be accurate because I don’t agree with everything the Church says.  But what I’m pointing out is that so many people who will say they are orthodox, or loyal the teachings and the magisterium, also happen to support the DP. 

You have proved absolutely zero when it comes to denying that the Church forbids DP except for cases of immanent self defense.  There is nothing ‘liberal’ about supporting the Church’s position on the DP…where do you come up with this stuff?

And no, by the way, I don’t take my advice on the sanctity of life from “Correction Department of CA and the warden of Pelican Bay prison” as you do.

I don’t think you’ve answered yet what’s been asked of you more than once - that is, are you a Catholic?  It’s fine with me if you’re not, but you don’t seem to want to answer simply yes or no.  It’ s not a 500 word essay question.  Yes or No?

@stilbelieve - “You,(Maxwell), Mary M and the M.D. are all making up your own religious belief concerning CP.  I’ve quoted what the new teaching is by the very author of it and the CCC.” “I just fine that you (Maxwell) and others arguing so passionately for your position to end capital punishment on the bases of what you “think” the Church “means” verses what she said is sad coming from Catholics.” What are you talking about? Making up my own religion? Don’t slander what I have said. I believe what the Church believes and what is contained in the CCC. You, however, do not because you continue to spew statistics backing up your one size fits all CP position.
@David “I find it amazing that some catholics find it permissible for the state to take what is yours and give to others(including unions, activists, abortion agencies, foreign governments, socialist activities, banks, foreign businesses and individuals, businesses like GE) but have a problem with the state doing one of it’s intended jobs, ie. protecting the public from criminals especially violent criminals.” The position of “some Catholics” is not the Catholic position at all. The Catholic position is to make CP the rare exception. If a Catholic says something different they are not articulating the Catholic position but their on opinion.

@David -

You have answered my questions by not responding to to them.

We have clearly stated our positions. They are not registered by your cerebral cortex, been blocked out, ignored,being unable to respond, etc I conjecture, speculate.

I feel you do not belong in this blog.

Answer only answer two questions and then STOP!!
1. Are you a member of the Roman Catholic Church?
2. Why don’t you contact any of us.

Your proposed responses will be easy, taking no time at all. Suggested answers:
      TO NUMBER !    YES OR NO.
      TO NUMBER 2     I will
                          I can not
                          I will not and will explain

Please! We are good people, not attacking or threatening you in any way. 

FOR STILLBELIEVE !!!

stillbelieve

Now it appears you must go to David before before you respond.
You have answered another of our question.

MY MY MY
SAY GOODBYE

@Maxwell

Whether I am Catholic or not is irrelevant to the discussion.  One does not need to be Catholic to discuss a Catholic teaching that has a bearing on their life and their families’ and friends’ safety.  The teaching that capital punishment is unnecessary because of the ability of advanced nations with modern high tech prisons to protect the public from such capital offenders is a new development in the “Universal” Church that, one, is not and can not be applicable throughout the universal Church because of the next point; two, it is a prudential judgment of a man and his fellow leaders that did not even bother to inquire of those responsible for prisons to determine if, in fact, the public can be protected from harm as his new teaching requires.

Maxwell, you are believing in a self created heresy which is a threat to my safety and those I love.  I grew up in a prison town.  I have some “skin” in the game, and I don’t want it threaten any more than it already is because of liberal Catholic’s heresies.

Nothing personal - just don’t like people messing with my life, given to me by God, thinking they are doing God’s work, when the only god they are following in this case is themselves, not God or the vicar of Christ.

@Mary M

“Don’t slander what I have said. I believe what the Church believes and what is contained in the CCC.”

The word shouldn’t be “believes” but teaches.  You believe what you believe but it isn’t what the pope said or what the Church is teaching.  I’ve posted what it is enough times, but I’m not going to do it again.  Do me a favor – please post just the specific thing the Pope said that was used for writing the teaching in the CCC so I can see if I’m misreading what you are saying.  No need for interpreting it, just the exact language spoken by the pope and written in the CCC.  Thanks.

@stillbelieve

Again - simple question - Catholic yes - Catholic no.  Why won’t you answer that?

“Maxwell, you are believing in a self created heresy “

I’m trying to think of a word to describe someone who believes that an individual who defends the Church’s clear teachings is a heretic.  Perhaps slow is the word.

If I believe in transubstantiation, I guess that makes me a heretic too?

I suppose if I believe that Mary was born of a virgin birth, I’m a heretic?

You’re writing and your logic are nothing short of psychotic.

@Mary

Don’t quote the Catechism to him.  It’s been done twice already and he just ignores it and prances on his merry way insisting that we need to kill more people.

@Mary

“Don’t quote the Catechism to him.”

Mary, I seriously want to know why we are talking past each other.  I asked to see what words of JPII you are looking at and the words in the CCC you are reading that enable you to have a totally different interpretation than mine.  What have you got to lose trying to see why we aren’t in agreement on this teaching? I ask you to please reconsider.

@stilbelieve - The following is the official teaching (which corresponds with my beliefs)of the Catholic Church excerpted from the Cathechism’s Second Edition. Anything that you or anyone else removes or adds to this is error. John Paul II does not have the definitive word by himself. The Pope in union with the Bishops make prudential decisions. It was because of Pope JPII that the death penalty was revisited and ultimately the text revised in the Cathechism’s Second Edition.

Legitimate defense

2263 The legitimate defense of persons and societies is not an exception to the prohibition against the murder of the innocent that constitutes intentional killing. “The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one’s own life; and the killing of the aggressor. . . . The one is intended, the other is not.“65

2264 Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one’s own right to life. Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow:

If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful: whereas if he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful. . . . Nor is it necessary for salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid killing the other man, since one is bound to take more care of one’s own life than of another’s..66

2265 Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility.

2266 The efforts of the state to curb the spread of behavior harmful to people’s rights and to the basic rules of civil society correspond to the requirement of safeguarding the common good. Legitimate public authority has the right and duty to inflict punishment proportionate to the gravity of the offense. Punishment has the primary aim of redressing the disorder introduced by the offense. When it is willingly accepted by the guilty party, it assumes the value of expiation. Punishment then, in addition to defending public order and protecting people’s safety, has a medicinal purpose: as far as possible, it must contribute to the correction of the guilty party.67

2267 Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.

If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.

Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity “are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.“68

I also take issue with your comment to Maxwell - “Maxwell, you are believing in a self created heresy” Heresy? Where did you get that from?

Lastly, the Church is not the administrator of Civil Law. If you are in favor of the death penalty then it is your civil right to take your argument to civil authorities.

@Mary - ok, now that you started it I’ll give the answer (AGAIN!) as to what John Paul the Great said about it as well :-)

Pope John Paul II was particularly supportive of this in Evangelium Vitae.

The new evangelization calls for followers of Christ who are unconditionally pro-life: who will proclaim, celebrate and serve the Gospel of life in every situation. A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform. I renew the appeal I made most recently at Christmas for a consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary. (Pope John Paul II, St. Louis, MO, January 1999)

Punishment cannot be reduced to mere retribution, much less take the form of social retaliation or a sort of institutional vengeance. Punishment and imprisonment have meaning if they serve the rehabilitation of the individual by offering those who have made a mistake an opportunity to reflect and to change their lives in order to be fully reintegrated into society. (Pope John Paul II, Jubilee Homily to Prisoners, Rome, July 2002)
He calls recourse to the death penalty “unnecessary” and painfully reminds us that our “model of society bears the stamp of the culture of death, and is therefore in opposition to the Gospel message.” (Pope John Paul II, World Day of the Sick, Washington, DC, February 2003)

Now, what kind of twisted, secular, non-sequiter will our friend stillbelieve come up with this time?

@Maxwell, “The new evangelization calls for followers of Christ who are unconditionally pro-life: who will proclaim, celebrate and serve the Gospel of life in every situation. A sign of hope is the increasing recognition that the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil. Modern society has the means of protecting itself, without definitively denying criminals the chance to reform. I renew the appeal I made most recently at Christmas for a consensus to end the death penalty, which is both cruel and unnecessary.” Maxwell,I do not disagree with anything that John Paul II said.

Anyone know how Fr. Corapi is doing, what he is doing, and what happens next on this whole mess??

Maxwell
stillbelieve

You have answered our questions by nost answering them. You have exposed yourselves.

STOP!!!!! You may be risking yourselves to civil suits and charges.

Maxwell
stillbelieve

You have answered our questions by not answering them. You have exposed yourselves.

STOP!!!!! You may be risking civil suits and charges.

@Dr. Juras - why or what are you pointing at me?

Anything new on the Father Corapi investigation?  Have they cleared his name yet??

stillbelieve is right.  CP or DP whichever you choose to call it is not ALWAYS unnecessary.  Just like just war theory, the church teaching does not say ALL acts of corporal punishment is intrinsically evil and therefore should never be done.  The key to understanding this point is you have to remember who JPII was talking to when he said those words.  Though CP is not an intrinsic evil on the same level as abortion, because the criminal is not an innocent human being, when administering the death penalty it should be taken under consideration that we are not just killing the body of a person, we are also possibly condemning their soul for eternity.  So it should be the last option ever considered.  In our culture we have many resources and means, though nothing is ever fool proof, to detain people and keep them from harming others and themselves.  And it is to this culture JPII was talking.  However, cultures without so many resources and means would not be able to protect its people at all if the DP was not used.  JPII believed we were using CP for all the wrong reasons.  He believed the reason we use it here is because we do not see the dignity of the human person.  We find people an inconvenience.  So we kill them in the womb, if they commit crimes, if they get too old, if they are suffering, etc.  We tend to be a people of comfort.  We don’t ever want to suffer.  We refuse to pick up our crosses daily.  And so we make excuses for killing people who fall into those categories so that we can get on with the business of living comfortably and securely.  JPII was trying to teach us this.  And wished for us to understand how each of us contributes to the culture of death in these ways and to stop using it as a political tool, but to really understand the dignity of the human person.  The CCC makes it pretty clear, just like the just war theory, that the DP can, under certain circumstances, be permitted, unlike abortion.  However, this is NOT a license to use CP indiscriminately.  Each use of CP must be decided on its own circumstances.  It’s never cut and dry.  Many factors (which many of you have brought up in your arguments for and against) must be taken into consideration before someone’s life is taken from them.  And I agree with JPII, I don’t believe our legal system does that well enough, which is another contributing factor to the culture of death.  I think very rare is the circumstance in our culture under which CP could be considered licit.

@Jennifer -  “stillbelieve is right.” What???  “I think very rare is the circumstance in our culture under which CP could be considered licit.” The CCC makes this very clear. It is stilbelieve who has a “problem” with this approach.

@jennifer

There is not room for you to interpret for yourself what John Paul II had in his mind when he spoke on the DP.  His words and the words of the Catechism which Mary and I have just shared - are not unclear.

Don’t try to put words or thoughts in the minds of John Paul II and the authors of the Catechism.  It is not a complicated issue.  There are not “some circumstances.”  There is only one circumstance and that is when the society is unable to protect itself from the offender through existing means - i.e., self-defense. 

He and the CCC are very, very clear

So you are hiding behind the CCC although God and then Christ himself made it abundantly clear: Thou shalt not kill?

Our church wasn’t right when it came to its condemnation of Galileo. It wasn’t right when it came to the persecution of many Jews and others during the Inquisition.

And it wasn’t right when it collaborated with Fascist Spain and Vichy France.

Chances are, it’s vascillation on state-imposed death (as it might be with respect to abortion-on-demand) are also incorrect.

Don’t go the way of those who aligned thmselves with Franco.

Maxwell, I was not professing my “opinion”.  This is what is taught in every seminary and school of theology regarding these matters.  I did not discerne this information for myself.  But alas, if you are hard headed, you will not concede, I’m sure.  And now I see why this idiot loop of a conversation has been going on for so long.

Mary, she is right in the sense that there are no absolutes when speaking about CP.  And that JPII was not declaring any absolutes about it either.  He was speaking to a specific audience with a specific message for them alone.  So unless all of the seminaries and schools of theology are wrong in interpreting what he said in context with the whole of scripture and the CCC and the teachings of the church, this point must be conceded.

There is a DAVID(me) and a david on this blog. My concern is for Fr. Corapi and his accuser and the presumption of innocence, a quality that the Catholic church has a problem with.  After the bulk of my postings have not appeared on this blog, I must end my participaton by asking all to pray for Fr. Corapi and his unnamed accuser

@Marlon

“So you are hiding behind the CCC although God and then Christ himself made it abundantly clear: Thou shalt not kill?” The correct interpretation of this is “thou shall not murder”. What part of the CCC did you not read? - the final paragraph on CP makes the postion of the Catholic Church very clear. “Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity “are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.”

@jennifer

which part of “are very rare, if not practically NONEXISTENT.“68 is confusing to you?

@ marlon
@Juras
      Marlon the one thing youv’e made abundantly clear is your misunderstanding of the
the commandment, Thou shalt not kill. Your accusation of the Church vacillating on the
death penalty and on abortion on demand exposes your lack of knowledge of the
teachings of the Church and your pro abortion stance.
    As far as Pat Juras is concerned you seem to go out of your way to attack and mock
people who support and defend Fr. Corapi. My original Post was simply to show my support
for Fr. Corapi then you come out of cyber space and start making sarcastic remarks like a
little junior high school girl.
  What’s up with you?  Maybe your commentary reflects your intellectual obesity and the need for
your cerebral cortex to go on a diet?  Could it be you are educated beyond your intelligence?
    Are you so challenged by stillbelieve that you need to threaten with lawsuits?
This blog was originally about Fr. Corapi , NOT YOU !

    I believe with all my heart Fr. Corapi will be exonerated and would love to see him become
a Bishop.

stillbelieve;

My, My, My

Mary slanders and is libelous?
YOU have rejected Christ, Scripture, the Pope, beliefs, some clergy, ordinary good Christians. this libel!!! Your responses are way beyond libel. Your actions, words are SINFUL. Not you or your person or your “true self”.

Respond!! My phone number is 231 264-9571.

FATHER FORGIVE HIM AND MARY, INTERCEDE, PRAY FOR HIM. SINCE HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HE IS DOING!!!!!!!

Maxwell

I did not, do not, nor will not point fingers at you. After all, we are in this together. Our beliefs are the same.
When I point my finger at anyone, I point my thumb at myself!
I apologize, ask for forgiveness.

Do they understand by using the public open internet, any one can monitor, including The Vatican which has powerful influential attorneys, even secular.

Do they realize what consequences they may suffer?

Maxwell

I did not, do not, nor will not point intend to fingers at you. After all, we are in this together. Our beliefs are the same.
When I point my finger at anyone, I point my thumb at myself!
I apologize, ask for forgiveness.

As an aside. Do they understand by using the public open internet, any one can monitor, including The Vatican which has powerful influential attorneys, even secular.

Do they realize what consequences they may suffer?

David

Nice try. Your untrue blogs continue.

You “bait and switch”

You praise Mary, then use your ridiculous untrue statements and rant.

Father forgive them for they do not know or understand what they are doing. Mary, please help them.

DAVID

All pray for Father Caropi.
Note many others have joined in.
You are outnumbered and losing, not gaining support.

Mary M
Maxwell
Diane Shaw
Jennifer
others

Congratulations.
You are good people and debaters and Catholics.
If you wish to read the blogs from the beginning you may see the consistent evil strategies used. Perhaps a report could be made to the Diocese’s.
It would be available to all bloggers. An attorney has to be involved. Any fees or costs incurred would be taken of by good Catholics and organizations.

At about 5:30 pm I called Dr. Juras and asked not to be confused with the other poster “david”.  If you read the three or four posts I made you will see (Apr 15,11:19am: Apr. 14, 1:22PM: Apr. 7,  10:18pm & 9:45pm) that I am giving my views on the Fr. Corapi, liberal thought, and the death pentalty.  I care not a wit about who’s more Catholic than someone else, but seek prayers for all who need them.  So please excuse me, as I said this morning, from furter posts!  God Bless!

All bloggers

I have made a very serious mistake. My intent always was and is to direct my responses to david, not David.
Three of my blogs were posted to DAVID, not david. Of course I challenged him with my usual defensive tone regarding the Church. I will find the blogs, address to DAVID and explain. If any others have a problem please call 231 264-9571 or cell 231 883-6204. This is not what david ( little david-symbolic?)  did or will do.

DAVID was kind and gentle and understanding. He was not angry and spoke about logical concerns and issues.

I apologized, He accepted with grace, then forgave me. He will continue his blogs which are wonderful. He is   our partner and supporter for all of us. A good man.

DAVID, call me after 2pm tomorrow. Could you discuss with my wife Jan who does not blog, not understanding all issues.

DAVID, May God bless you. I pray for you and all.

There were 4 people fired at Santa Cruz Media.  One woman and one man were fired for stealing, they felt they were owed because their hours were cut for various reasons, and the other two men were fired for fighting among themselves and with their boss.  There were big personal problems with these people. The Holy Spirit has a big grip on Father John, so he would not go back to that former way of life.(25 years ago.)  If you read all the posts on Santa Cruz Media website, you will find all this information.  Also, to the people who are concerned about this medical law-suit money that he received, all was given to S.O.L.T.  Can you imagine all the millions of prayers and sacrifices that are going up to Heaven because of this scandal?  I sincerely pray for Fr. John’s aging mother, I hope this doesn’t make her sick.  Imagine if your son was criticized and abused by others as Fr. has been.  It must be devastating.  I pray very much for his mother.  Thank you for listening.either89

Let’s keep our heads and send our prayers to Heaven via Mary for Fr. Corapi and his loved ones. The devil IS in this to destroy Fr. Corapi and any souls he can. It is soon Holy Week and our chance to storm Heaven for one who has done so for us soooo often.Yes. I believe the accusations are revenge and so should any thinking mind. Our best bet here is to pray and not let up. Remember. The devil is an eternal loser. In the end the devil will always be shown to be such a jerk! Best for a Holy Week which is always followed by Easter Sunday.

DAVID: Thanks for your under standing and support. Listing the 3 blogs really helps me. I plan to talk with you later today. 

Maxweii\
theresa masonrogers
jennifer
.....it seems to me you have joined us. Thank you for the excellent blogs. Looking forward to them.

Has anyone heard from little david recently?

Support our priests defend the truth!

Visit:

http://helpfathercorapi.blogspot.com/

Posted by theresa masonrogers on Friday, Apr 15, 2011 8:47 PM (EDT)

“If you read all the posts on Santa Cruz Media website, you will find all this information.”
=============================================

What website are you referring to?  I’ve gone to the one with the statement made by Santa Cruz Media and found no posts with your more detailed info.  Thanks.

Maxwell

After reviewing previous blogs I now realize you are not in sync withr with us.
But a “wolf in sheep’s clothing”

not in sync with us nor support our views.
Sorry for the typo.

With Palm Sunday and the holiest week in our religion upon us,let us pray for Fr Corapi and for each other. Ubi Caritas et Amor, Deus Ibi Est. “Where there is love and charity,God is there”. Wishing all of you a blessed Holy Week. I will not be posting this week.

Today is Passion Sunday. Read, listen, pray, think about what role you play.
      the Pharisees—-the proud defiant accusers, influencing the crowd to support murdering Christ
      the little donkey (foal)—-symbol of the world, which carries Christ who comes to save us. Does the world
        always listen—-the world which can and does go on the wrong path
        the crowd; rejoicing, shouting, waving palms,—-do they honor Christ as God, or as a human whom is
        viewed as a prophet, a magician, secilar messiah, etc. They go on to watch trying to soididify their false
        beliefs or out of curiosity. Do they support Pilot or Christ? Will any repent?
This applies to me and to all of us.
Meditate deeply this Holy Week. Focus on the Passion; attend Mass; go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation;
        seek help from The Spirit and your true friends, attend the Easter VIgil; rejoice with peace.
Get back to blogging about Father Caropi,s tragic situation.
TO BE CONTINUED

Kris:  Look at the 6th. post down on Santa Cruz Media website.  The title is: Statement on Santa Cruz Media on Fr. John Corapi - Being.  I hope this helps.    Theresa

Dr. Juras

You’re living in a fantasy world where you’ve concocted some sort of community that has an “in crowd” and an “out crowd” - the “evils” and the “goods.”  And in your fantasy, the FBI and “authorities” are tracking every important word said and waiting to pounce.

Other than attending a beautiful Palm Sunday Mass last night in South Bend, IN, your kicking me out of your imaginary playhouse is the best thing that happened to me!

By the way, look up blog.  You’re not a blogger - you’re just a guy who posts comments on a message board.  Sorry to burst your bubble.

HUH, just what are you talking about?

You understand zero regarding Passion Sunday.

Define blog and blogger.

You are not clear. What does “look up blog” mean? Are you asking me to look up or look it up in a dictionary. I have “write entries in, add materials to or, maintain a weblog. isn’t this what all of us do?  All YOU have written is fantasy.

You attended a beautiful PALM SUNDAY MASS. All Masses are. But did you listen or get any kind of a message?  Was the Mass at Notre Dame? Are you a devout Catholic or a student who joins radical leftist groups and attend events which mistakenly offered at ND.
at ND? You wrote this blog after attending mass—- 11:32 EDT

Are you disrespectful when you do not capitalize Mass?

Is this your response to Christ.You just this morning received Him in the Eucharist.

How do you dare to malign me and fellow bloggers?

“You’re living in a fantasy world where you’ve concocted some sort of community that has an “in crowd” and an “out crowd” - the “evils” and the “goods.”  And in your fantasy, the FBI and “authorities” are tracking every important word said and waiting to pounce.”

This is libel and scandal against us and borderline blasphemy. BE VERY CAREFUL!!!! Do you realize you post to the public on the Internet? Is the FBI and “authorities” tracking every word YOU said and are waiting to “pounce”? You are so transparent. Would Father Caropi approve of or be proud of you?

Answer any one of my questions or call me. I challenge you. I would wager that you will not.

I am asking questions, not implying or trying to demonize you. Just attempting to find truth.

I have advice for you. Stop and repent. Pray, reflect, attend a retreat at Gethsemeni in Kentucky.  I pray sincerely that you will l!!.

‘

I will remain silent until after Easter in respect for the most significant, beautiful, important, joyful days of the year.

Ok Dr. Juras,

“You understand zero regarding Passion Sunday.”
What are you talking about?  All I said was I attended Palm Sunday Mass - what does that have to do with what I know about the Mass?

“Define blog and blogger”
The ability of readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs.  See, we leave comments, we don’t maintain blogs.

“You attended a beautiful PALM SUNDAY MASS. All Masses are. But did you listen or get any kind of a message?  Was the Mass at Notre Dame? Are you a devout Catholic or a student who joins radical leftist groups and attend events which mistakenly offered at ND.”
A little judgmental, aren’t you?

“You wrote this blog after attending mass—- 11:32 EDT Are you disrespectful when you do not capitalize Mass?”
Do you actually read before you start blathering Doc?
From my post (not blog) -  “Palm Sunday Mass last night.”  11:32 on Sunday would be the morning after Vigil Mass.  Did you not notice that I capitalize Mass in my post?

“How do you dare to malign me and fellow bloggers?”
I don’t have fellow bloggers, because I don’t blog.  My comment was posted for you - not anyone else.  And let’s see, hmmmm - who was it that maligned me as being a, “wolf in sheep’s clothing”?  Oh right, that was YOU Doc! Ha, ha!

“This is libel and scandal against us and borderline blasphemy.”
Blasphemy?  You see yourself as God.  Most interesting.

“Would Father Caropi approve of or be proud of you?”
I couldn’t care less about what Fr. Caropi thinks of anyone, especially me!

Whilst I acknowledge the modern Church has developed more detailed and structured approaches for dealing with matters of a potentially “scandalous” nature, I am somewhat perplexed by the need to go public so quickly in this case. 

My (limited) understanding of this particular matter, is that it involves no criminal activity - all the parties are adults and no-one (so far) has made any claim of criminal acts.  (Others will no-doubt clarify if my comments are in error).

At this time, the matter is surely only deserving of a sincere, but internal, “closed door” investigation.  If due process finds guilt, let the cards fall where they may, if no guilt is found, as I hope happens, then the world will not skip a beat and no public damage to the accused will be done.

I believe the above approach is both a balanced and reasonable approach to allegations involving adults, regarding none criminal matters.  The underlying truth is, that any Catholic (lay or religious) who defends the faith, through traditional and digital media, is going to face claims of one form or another and must be prepared to carry their cross!

No need to repeat yet again what all have said before us.  We remain loyal to this holy man and offer continous prayers for him and his accuser.

Posted by theresa masonrogers on Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 10:16 AM (EDT):Kris:  Look at the 6th. post down on Santa Cruz Media website.  The title is: Statement on Santa Cruz Media on Fr. John Corapi - Being.  I hope this helps.  Theresa

===================================================

Thank you, but could you please give the link?  I can’t seem to find a Santa Cruz Media website itself.  I’ve only found their statement on the Fr. Corapi.com site and I don’t see any comments there.  Again, thanks.

To Kris:  The link is:  Santa Cruz Media.com , go down 6 posts.  This should help.        Theresa

John has two choices here - admit his guilt and step down as a Catholic leader, or fight the charges. He seems, at this pint, to have chosen the former, an unsurprising choice, given his investment in his present position. I have little doubt of the outcome here, but the affair must play out. At the end of the day, our Lord loes us, as no man ever can.

To Steve.  Fr Corapi hardly ‘chose’ to step down.  His priestly duties were temporarily stripped from him by authorities in the Church.  We have no doubt he is fighting these scurulous charges and will triumph at the final reckoning.  To all but the weakneed naysayers, we encourage you to daily say a rosary both for Fr Corapi and for his misguided accuser.

Regarding the Santa Cruz media website, I finally found it.
http://cleansingfiredor.com/2011/03/info-re-fr-corapi/

We are being taught a powerful lesson this Lent: Follow a single man over our faith and we’ll be taken down with him.

Perhaps this is the very penance we so richly deserve.

Isn’t it time to relinquish our attachment to the charism of specific individuals?

Nuturing an attachment to Father Corapi (or for that matter any other individual), prevents out spiritual growth. Plain and simple.

Attachmnt to Father Corapi is debilitating. It’s the following of a false image, an idol. If you follow it, then you’re following one.

Time to stop buying into these value-added idols and keep Christ alive!

Marlon, you are totally missing the point of what is occurring here. These 2 men have been inspired from above to step forward and take a stand against the heresy that has seriously infected the church. They are not to be viewed as idols, as I do not believe anyone looks at them in this manner. They simply are standing up boldly for the true orthodox values and traditions of the church, much as the early disciples did during the church’s infancy. They are the messengers, which means that they are not so much important, but rather the message that they relay to those who want to listen and believe.

Joseph Gelis

WHAT TWO MEN?
Not clear.

Posted by Rocky on Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011 9:54 PM (EDT):Regarding the Santa Cruz media website, I finally found it.
http://cleansingfiredor.com/2011/03/info-re-fr-corapi/

============================
Unfortunately that doesn’t give the comment info that is cited above by
theresa masonrogers.  I’ve linked to her given link: Santa Cruz Media.com, but there are no comments there like she mentions that I can find only a general page about them and their services.

I just heard of this awful news today and so many things are going through my mind.  The one I need to follow is that I refuse to believe any of these accusations and will pray for Fr. Corapi- The Memomare, I read once that he likes that prayer.  I guess we need to pray for the others involved, too.  I won’t type the whole prayer out, but the St. Michael Prayer seems best in this situation!  God bless Fr. Corapi and St. Michael please defend Fr. Corapi.  Thank you.

I truly believe Father Corapi was headed for sainthood. That probably won’t happen now. Our priests and our Church are under attack. These accusations ring to hard of the boy who cried wolf. Hail Mary, pray for our shepherd. We need him and he needs our prayers.

@A J L

“...ring to hard of the boy who cried wolf.”

Huh?  So the accuser kept falsely accusing Fr Corapi over and over until he did it for real and then everyone ignored her?

Shouldn’t you give him the benefit of the doubt before you condemn him?

all i know is that i miss him on ewtn….today i am watching about the shroud instead of his triduum, which has been on for years and added so much inspiration to holy week. why is it taking so long to clear his name?

Enjoy Good Friday
Celebrate
The Light will come to you
with many Messages

@E. Patrick Juras, M.D.

Posted by E. Patrick Juras, M.D. on Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 4:15 PM (EDT):
“I will remain silent until after Easter in respect for the most significant, beautiful, important, joyful days of the year.”

Tsk, tsk, tsk…..

Samuel

Now you do not respect me, let alone Easter or Christianity

PLEASE ANSWER:  Are you Christian whoever you are?

Posted by E. Patrick Juras, M.D. on Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 4:15 PM (EDT):
“I will remain silent until after Easter in respect for the most significant, beautiful, important, joyful days of the year.”

Redux

Unless there are credible witnesses or DNA evidence I doubt Fr. Corapi can be convicted.  A disgruntled employee better have good evidence or else Fr. Corapi or his order can countersue for libel.  The truth will come out eventually one way or the other.  There have been others falsely accused and they have cleared their name.  This happens to all who work closely with the public.  He said, she said is not enough.  There has to be some kind of evidence or photographs….enough to make the authorities put him on administrative leave.  Perhaps there were incriminating emails.  One really has to think carefully about what one puts into an email.  It is public once you click on SEND.

Redux : A trademark for the drug dexfenfluramine
redux: adj. (not a noun,verb,commamd) brought back, returned. USED POSPOSITIVELY
THE AMERICANHERITAGE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FOURTH EDITION
You again did not comment on any of my questions.
Answer only one question. ARE YOU CHRISTIAN?
TRY TO REMAIN SILENT FOR TWO DAYS—HOLY SATURDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY

HAPPY EASTER
CELEBRATE WITH JOY AND PEACE

Fr. Corapi has helped me to change my life. He is a hero of mine. I like to get ready for the day by watching the short version of his “Surrender is not an option” video on youtube - http://youtu.be/FvHGwhffv6I - Awesome :) Satan will stop at nothing.. Don’t let him stop Fr. Corapi. His prayers have helped to save my life, I pray my prayers are enough to help him..I have faith that in the end the truth will set him free. God bless him & all of his work.

Posted by E. Patrick Juras, M.D. on Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 4:15 PM (EDT):
“I will remain silent until after Easter in respect for the most significant, beautiful, important, joyful days of the year.”

Thrice

I wish Father Corapi and all of you who are supporting him a BLESSED
EASTER.  Our prayers will be answered soon and we will all be able
to rejoice in our strugle against satan.  Hang with us, Father.  God
bless you.

Thrice
I have asked you the same question more than “thrice”.
“Are you a CHRISTIAN”
Are you asking in jest”
If so you disrespect this blog, its bloggers, your friends, Father’s Faith, your Church, your organizations and groups.
Just move on, quit bothering us. You will not win.
HAVE A BLESSED EASTER

Posted by E. Patrick Juras, M.D. on Sunday, Apr 17, 2011 4:15 PM (EDT):
“I will remain silent until after Easter in respect for the most significant, beautiful, important, joyful days of the year.”

And a clutch buzzer-beater makes 4!

samuel

what a clown you are.
you cold be a stand up comic.
do you know how many times 4i is used in the Church, Scripture, verses in the Psalms, many more examples.
I pray you Samuel attend Mass tomorrow to celebrate the Paschal Mystery with joy and peace

YOU are mocking Father Caropis faith.
SHAME, SHAME ON YOU
Try to figure out——-12,000

samuel

Happy Easter!!
May you be blessed with peace and joy.
40-7/8

How sad… My heart aches for Fr. Corapi and his accuser.  I left the Roman church nearly 10 years ago.  I am now in the process for ordination in The Episcopal Church.  There are more reasons than I can count on both hands as to why I left the Roman Church.  However, I continued to watch Fr. Corapi on EWTN and was overwhelmed by his love for his church and the people of God.  While I do not know whether the accusations are founded or not, I will miss Fr. Corapi’s presence on EWTN.  I know in the depths of my soul that he is truly a man of God.  My prayers are with Fr. Corapi today and always that he will be allowed to return to the work for our Lord which he loves so dearly.  Many blessings and prayers for a speedy resolution to this horrible issue.

Mary M comparison of CCC on Capital Punishment versus stilbelieve.

Posted by Mary M on Friday, Apr 15, 2011 6:05 AM (EDT):

@stilbelieve - The following is the official teaching (which corresponds with my beliefs)of the Catholic Church excerpted from the Cathechism’s Second Edition. Anything that you or anyone else removes or adds to this is error. John Paul II does not have the definitive word by himself. The Pope in union with the Bishops make prudential decisions. It was because of Pope JPII that the death penalty was revisited and ultimately the text revised in the Cathechism’s Second Edition.
Legitimate defense
2263 The legitimate defense of persons and societies is not an exception to the prohibition against the murder of the innocent that constitutes intentional killing. “The act of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one’s own life; and the killing of the aggressor. . . . The one is intended, the other is not.“65
2264 Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it is legitimate to insist on respect for one’s own right to life. Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow:
If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it will be unlawful: whereas if he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful. . . . Nor is it necessary for salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid killing the other man, since one is bound to take more care of one’s own life than of another’s..66
2265 Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility.
2266 The efforts of the state to curb the spread of behavior harmful to people’s rights and to the basic rules of civil society correspond to the requirement of safeguarding the common good. Legitimate public authority has the right and duty to inflict punishment proportionate to the gravity of the offense. Punishment has the primary aim of redressing the disorder introduced by the offense. When it is willingly accepted by the guilty party, it assumes the value of expiation. Punishment then, in addition to defending public order and protecting people’s safety, has a medicinal purpose: as far as possible, it must contribute to the correction of the guilty party.67
2267 Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.
If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.
Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity “are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.“68

****************************************************************

Stilbelieve’s reply to Mary M.  The text in 2263, 2264 and 2266 will be covered in my responses to the text in 2265 and 2267.  All 5 of these texts represent your position for opposing capital punishment and because the Church now says so.  The following represent why I think the new teaching is incorrect.

2265 says: “Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility.” 

My response.  There are authorized people who have the right to defend the civil community from harm by unjust aggressors with the use of arms.  In other words, there are authorized people who can use capital means to defend the civil community if that is needed.

I agree with everything in 2265, above.  It states there is a “legitimate defense” that is not only “a right” but “a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others.”  It expands on that right by stating “the defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm.”  It acknowledges that there are people who “legitimately hold authority” for “the defense of the common good” and have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility.”

Paragraph 1 of 2267.  “Assuming that the guilty party’s identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.”

My response to paragraph 1 of 2267

The death penalty, traditionally, has been an approved means of defending human lives against the properly identified person fully determined to be the unjust aggressor IF “this is the only possible way of effectively defending” against their doing further harm to the civil community.

Paragraph 2 of 2267.  “If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.”

Response to paragraph 2 of 2267

“IF.”  That is the question.  “IF, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend AND protect people’s safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means” for reasons stated.  The use of Lethal Means IS permitted if “Non-Lethal Means” are NOT Sufficient To Protect Society.  The object is to PROTECT SOCIETY against any further harm from properly identified capital offenders.

Paragraph 3 of 2267.  “Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity ‘are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.”68

Response to paragraph 3 of 2267

“Today, IN FACT.”  What evidence did/do those who wrote this have that what they are about to state is in fact, A FACT?  Has anybody seen THIS EVIDENCE that enables them to state it as a FACT?  I don’t know the answer to that; but anything they say after that required them to present the evidence to prove what they say is, in fact, a fact.  If it is imperative that the judicial system apprehend the correct person identified for committing the capital offence(s) and present all the honest evidence leading to that person’s conviction and subsequent punishment; it is equally imperative that before anybody changes centuries of Church approval for a rational disposition of punishment, that if that change is based on a statement of “FACT,” then that “FACT” should be presented as the evidence.  That is what I am asking for.  The Church should show us “the fact” she is referring to so that we can in turn give our obedience to the new teaching.  Civil society deserves to know the facts of a criminal judicial trial.  That is what is done in a trial in order to determine the correct ruling of the case that the judge will be ruling on.  So, too, we the faithful should have the right to know the FACTS supporting the about-face change in a teaching that has existed for tens of centuries if we are being expected to go along with it unquestionably.

The following paragraphs express my reasoning for the Church to return to her historical position on this issue and continue to support Capital Punishment as a prolife position.

The CCC text does not give the evidence for what it said was a “FACT,” but instead presents a CONJECTURE that the state ABSOLUTELY has ways of “rendering one who has committed an offense INCAPABLE of doing harm,” again.  They say this WITHOUT presenting any proof for what they are saying.  They make only an assumption of how the state can make the capital offender “INCAPABLE” of doing harm.”  They say “as a consequence of possibilities” the offender will be made INCAPABLE to do harm.  That would be like the prosecution saying in court about the accused; “He COULD have done this” without presenting the proof of HOW HE DID or COULD HAVE DONE IT. 

The ASSUMPTION being made by the Church leadership is: - In a high-tech, modern prison in an advanced society, the “aggressor” can be kept in solitary confinement, away from other prisoners, confined 23 hours a day in a cell with clear glass for walls with constant round the clock surveillance by prison guards, with nothing going in or out of the cell without examination, with nothing in the cell having removable parts, with the prisoner let out only 1 hour a day for exercise in a private court yard with no other inmates around.  Based on these assumptions, which actually are factual, the writer of this new Church position on the death penalty concludes their case using MORE ASSUMPTIONS saying, “The cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, if not practically nonexistent.”  They offer no evidence to support this statement. 

It would have been helpful for their new teaching to have investigated high-tech, modern prisons in advanced societies and talked with those at the highest levels of responsibility for the protection of the civil society, as well as to the wardens responsible for the day to day operation of running the prisons, to find out if their assumptions about such prisons are correct.  They may have learned what the Department of Corrections in California said about its newest, most advanced, high-tech prison for the worst of the worst offenders housed in over 1,000 solitary confinement cells which I described above as the “probable assumptions” they had in mind for such a prison.  They would have learned that both the head of the Department of Correction of the state as well as the warden of the most advanced prison in the state said there is no way to stop such offenders from continuing to do the public harm by such acts as murders, robberies, and drug trafficking, etc.

This new CP teaching would be like the Church wanting us to believe a teaching that Jesus rose from the dead because she said so, without presenting any evidence to that claim, which in fact, would only be – a claim in that case.  But Jesus did rise from the dead, and there are eye witnesses to that having happened.  That fact IS what gave the disciples the will power to become martyrs for their beliefs and teachings – after hiding in fear for their own lives when Jesus was arrested and crucified.  Facts are what provided belief in the truth of her teaching on the resurrection – not assumptions.  Facts are what are needed in her new teaching on CP.

Summary.
The change in the Church’s teaching on capital punishment is based on a false assumption, presented without any evidence.  Yet, there is recent, solid historical factual evidence to prove her assumptions are wrong.  My question is why did this change in the teaching on CP come about without checking for evidence, first, to support the assumption being made? The only rational explanation why this wasn’t done was because it was more important to the Church, i.e., the bishops, to remove a criticism from the left on a hole in her teaching on “a consistent ethic of life.”  How could she claim to be prolife when she supports capital punishment?  It is a shame how the pro-abortion left have been able to keep the Church off-balance on the issue of abortion with such criticisms.  But it’s the Church’s, i.e., the bishops, fault for opening the door for such claims when they expanded the definition of prolife to include issues that have nothing to do with the murdering of unborn, and sometimes, born innocent human beings.  Capital punishment is prolife in that it renders unjust aggressors, proven beyond a shadow of a doubt to be guilty, from further harm to the public, and in so doing, it promotes the common good.  There is no evidence of ever executing an innocent capital punishment prisoner.  If there was such an execution, we would have surely heard about it by now by those working so tirelessly to end CP, especially for that reason.  But there is PLENTY of EVIDENCE that locking unjust aggressors away in solitary confinement in the most advanced society with the highest technology available, CAN NOT prevent such criminals from continuing to do harm to the public.  Again, only about 2% of those CP aggressors eligible for the death sentence actually receive a capital punishment sentence.  So, CP is NOT wholesale execution; it’s “very rare” (like stated in the 3rd paragraph in CCC 2267) but still necessary to “provide for the common good,” and to protect the public from further harm.

stillbelieve

My self and Mary will probably need a month in silence. It is exhausting responding to your blogs - hiding under the Catechism; so many mistakes, errors, false statements, almost borderline blasphemy.
      I challenge you to compare your background to mine and possibly Mary’s.
        I do not think you can nor will. We could do it by telephone.

Did you, Mr stillbelieve, have a blessed and Happy Easter.

This is Easter Week, also titled “Bright Week” I pray that you have a happy and blessed week.
    I pray for you almost every day, every Sunday. GHod bless you.

@stillbelieve

Do you really expect anyone to read your rambling diatribe?  At the end of the day, you like to take revenge by killing criminals.  The theology of vigilantes.

Us Catholics prefer to follow the lead of our Church and focus on forgiveness, redemption and rehabilitation.

@Maxwell

“At the end of the day, you like to take revenge by killing criminals.  The theology of vigilantes.” 

Maxwell, you realize the position I have on this subject is the same one the Church has had for almost two thousand years.  Are you saying the Church has “like(d) to take revenge by killing criminals”?  Are you saying the Church’s teaching all those centuries is based on “The theology of vigilantes”?

I apologize for the amount of verbiage I took to respond to Mary M’s bases for her position.  But if your mind is made up already, it really doesn’t matter how much or little I had to say on the subject.  I’ve made my position on this subject based on facts, not emotion.  I’m at peace with my position and my argument for my position.  May I suggest that if you haven’t read my post to Mary M because it is too long, that perhaps you should read it “at the end of the day,” to help put you to sleep?

WE have to denounce the death penalty as the act of vengeance that is not only inappropriate for governments to indulge in, but also ineffective.

The death penalty is no more effective a way to curb crime than the angry cry that inspires it.

I will always be critical of the Catholic Church for what I call its failure to speak out against the death penalty.

Any support of the death penalty by an individual, a group or an institution is simply an attempt to curry favor with a great and unreasonable and fustrated angry people propelled not by compassion but by vengeance.

@Gerald It is preposterous for you to say the Catholic Church does not denounce the death penalty. Clearly you have not read the Catechism of the Catholic Church or simply twisting the “truth” to suit your views.
@stilbelieve This discussion has gone on longer than it should have. The fact remains it doesn’t matter what your opinion is. The Church has spoken the issue and her position is clear.
This discussion has gone off in a direction that it was not intended. The topic is about Fr. Corapi.  I am posting no more comments about the death penalty. Dr. Juris, I recommend the same or this will simply add “fuel to the fire” to those who want to discuss this ad naseum.

STILL BELIEVE
MAXWELL

You both are in the process of Conversion! Thank God and thank you.
You have answered all my questions!!!!!
Forgive me for my ways and responses. But they do have a have a purpose. All of us are rewarded.
Keep in touch as my friends.
God bless you both,

The truth at last!

I am glad that at least Pope’s John Paul and Benedict have not equivocated on this matter the way some of our bishops (in the United States) have in the way they curry favor with certain consituents (I use this word purposely), in not allowing the perpetrators time to repent and die at peace with God; having forgotten that the concept of spiritual values of justice being of greater importance than constituent services.

At least from Rome, we are still receiving the word of truth!

Mary M et al

In googling “Catholic prudential judgment,” I came across an article from which I’m posting the first two paragraphs below.

“Just to stir the pot a little… Catholic conservatives frequently distinguish between disagreeing with the Church’s views on abortion/gay marriage/stem cell research and a departing from the Church’s views on the death penalty/torture/war/economic justice.  The idea, as then Cardinal Ratzinger laid out in his July 2004 letter on receiving communion, is that the former are intrinsically evil, whereas the evil of the latter positions depends on some degree of prudential judgment:

“For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia.” (Catholic Radians and Prudential Judgement 4/16/11 on Religious Left Law web site)

To the above, I add the following, an excerpt from a Chicago Sun Times article (4/15/11) by Steven Schering.  It’s about a murder of a Chicago woman by a Canadian ex boyfriend.

“DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said Smirnov met Vesel in 2008. [the article tells of their meeting and his moving to Chicago for their relationship which eventually ‘soured.’  Smirnov then moved back to Canada]  Berlin said Smirnov had done research on the Internet to determine if Illinois had the death penalty, deciding to go through with Vesel’s murder when he discovered it does not.”

The Governor signed the bill to end Capital Punishment in Illinois, legislation that was “rushed through the state legislature during a lame-duck session that limited debate, and was voted on by legislators that included those who lost their re-election or were retiring.  The legislation was signed into law the MONTH BEFORE this 36 year old woman was murdered in cold blood on a Oak Brook public street walking to her car after work.  The murderer fired 11 shots, continuing to fire as she lay on the ground.  I wonder; did she even have time to make a “perfect confession?”  The Illinois Catholic Bishop’s Conference strongly urged the governor to sign this legislation. 

With the Pelican Bay Prison Black Widow Operation article, the Religious Left Law article on Catholic Radians and Prudential Judgment, and the Chicago Sun Time’s article on the calculated murder of a Chicago woman by a Canadian man who checked, first, to see if Illinois had the death penalty - I rest my case.

I rest my case.

Mary

Thank You!!!

@stillbelieve

If you want to make up your own rules and be disloyal to the teaching of the Church, that’s your decision.

maxwell

You are not in the process of learning or conversion as Still Believe is.

Why should Still respond?

Do you realize YOU are the only one left!!!

GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!
I AND OTHERS PRAY FOR YOUR CONVERSION AND ON MY DAILY PRAY LIST!!!!!!

maxwell
You understand nothing.
Think about it.

@Maxwell

“If you want to make up your own rules and be disloyal to the teaching of the Church, that’s your decision.”

What part of “prudential judgment” do you not understand?  If you read my post, the part about what Cardinal Ratzinger wrote in 2004 about CP, you would realize the sound ground I am on in Catholic teaching.  Furthermore, if you read the Black Widow Operation you would KNOW that there is no way to prevent capital offenders from continuing there crime activities even in solitary confinement, disproving what the Holy Father and bishops “believe” and teach.  Finally, the bishops of Illinois supported the passage of the bill that ended capital punishment in Illinois and the governor’s signing the bill into law in March 2011 making them co-responsible for the murder of that 36 year old woman in Oak Brook Ill earlier this month, just weeks after capital punishment was outlawed.  I wouldn’t want that murder on my conscious, but I am sure the bishops will have nothing to say about how they contributed towards her being murdered or whether she was absolved of her sins by the Church because of her sudden and unexpected murder.  Now the cold blood, calculating murderer may spend the rest of his life in prison with the bishops praying for his conversion so that when he dies he can go to heaven.  Does this make spiritual sense to you?  It doesn’t to me.

I understand prudential judgment just fine.  You want to take your needles in a haystack and claim they fill the entire silo.  But, whatever, you’re not budging and neither am I.

My point remains, as it always has, that you feel superior to the wisdom and judgement of the Pope and the catechism - but you won’t admit it and you cover up by citing your black widow article as if it’s legitimate theology.

You shouldn’t be shy about admitting it.

“My point remains, as it always has, that you feel superior to the wisdom and judgement of the Pope and the catechism - but you won’t admit it and you cover up by citing your black widow article as if it’s legitimate theology.”

Maxwell, it’s not a matter of feeling “superior,” it’s a matter of sound theology.  This new teaching is easily debunked.  It’s based on the “belief” that modern high tech society has the ability to prevent criminals from ever harming people again by locking them up in solitary confinement.  The problem with that, Maxwell, is the criminal mind is more capable of continuing to do evil than man is capable of preventing it.  As a result, the “common good of society” is put in greater danger by this false belief of the bishops.  What part of FACTS vrs Fantasy don’t you understand?  The Church’s NEW teaching is based on fantasy, not unlike a belief that all people are GOOD.  Adam and Eve proved that to be fantasy a long time ago, but only liberals believe it is still true today.  You are welcome to believe the new teaching is sound theology, but then you have to explain how those responsible for locking the criminals away for life have a 180 degree different position on the issue. 

How do you explain Cardinal Ratzingers view on CP in 2004 being the same as mine today, or vise-versa, mine being the same as his in 2004?  He and I are in agreement.  How come you and I aren’t

If you ever heard Father Corapi speak he often asked us to pray for him and for Priests.  Why?  Because if we have one devil on the top of the house waiting to tempt us, a Priest has 100 on his house.  Taking down a Priest is a big prize for Satan.  So we pray for Father Corapi and we pray for all Priests, that they will be strong enough to withstand temptations.  We also must pray for his accuser, that God will bless her and help her.  She may be a victim, or she may not be.  We still should pray for her.

The last I heard, the diocese said this wasn’t a criminalmatter. So I ask that even if these charges are true, why was he suspended?  Nearly every week my Priest stands on the Altar and says I’m a sinner. I haven’t the foggiest idea if he did or didn’t break his vows.  Not really my business.

@Siobhan - “Nearly every week my Priest stands on the Altar and says I’m a sinner. I haven’t the foggiest idea if he did or didn’t break his vows.  Not really my business.” Actually it is our business. When an individual is a priest as well as a public and his faculties are suspended it does become our business.

stillbelieve
I prayed for you this AM
Do you pray with your blogs?
Do you stillbelieve you are superior to me and everone else, including God? Do you still believe you are acting in the image of God?
Can you stillbelieve go in silence to reflect on what you are doing and did?

stillbelive

you did not post your blog directly to me. But to everyone on this website?
Do you stillbelieve everone on this website is superior to everyone?
Can just stop, pray and reflect?

stillbelive
4/26
“i rest my case”
Wish you would, we wish you could.
We will never budge, give up— never!
God bless you.

E. Patrick Juras, M.D., do you know who Fr. Robert Barron is?  He recently did an interview with Sheila Liaugminas on her show “A Closer Look” which airs on Relevant Radio.  And he discussed on there the difference between what the Church teaches on just war, CP, etc vs. abortion, euthanasia etc.  He is considered a prominant theologian by our Church who is very much obediant to, and in line with, our Church on all matters of her teachings.  And what he said in that interview when he was explaining what the Church teaches, seems to confirm what stillbelieve is saying to you.  Just war (theory), CP etc. are still a gray area and the Church is still in an infantile stage of understanding when it comes to these issues.  Where as abortion, euthanasia are not gray areas, they are considered moral absolutes which have been diffinitively defined by the Church as grave evil.  Have I misunderstood your position that you believe CP to be of the same moral absolute as abortion?  Because if you do, our Church does not teach that.

Sadly, it seems quite convenient hos these gray areas, as described by Father Barron, give the Church, wishing to maintain those more conservative elements as part of its flock, a great cover, a great “alibi”.