tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post8942020928577876073..comments2023-09-27T02:46:21.569-07:00Comments on Deacons Today: Musings on Diakonia and Diaconate: Fr. Corapi: "Soft you; a word or two before you go"Deacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11525431509279159558noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-54103180830725116552011-06-24T07:29:04.442-07:002011-06-24T07:29:04.442-07:00I read you initial post Deacon Bill and then sever...I read you initial post Deacon Bill and then several of the comments. I then went back and reread your post only to find out that you did not if fact say what some of the individuals responded calimed you had said. You were spot on with your input and were fastidious in avoiding criticism of Fr. Corapi. You merely stated the facts, just the facts. Some individuals misinformed response says more about them than anything else. I read many years ago that when two people converse there are actually four people present. You, me, who you think I am, and who I think you are. I feel some of the responders were reading your post with more emotion than thought. Thank you for all you do!Ken Ramseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06817533038279154938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-49978791139617300932011-06-21T18:54:59.204-07:002011-06-21T18:54:59.204-07:00My only response (apart from what is on my own blo...My only response (apart from what is on my own blog) is this: there is a God, and it's not John Corapi. neither is it us. It's time to stop worshiping people and start worshiping God. Move on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-50685522214103766052011-06-20T13:30:55.964-07:002011-06-20T13:30:55.964-07:00Dear Paul,(letter to my brother)
Why do I mentio...Dear Paul,(letter to my brother)<br /> <br />Why do I mention Ann Ball? . . . several, even many, of the Beati and Canonized people she researched were founders and foundresses<br />of brand new Catholic Religious communities, inspired by God to address the crying needs of those times. (poverty, the industrial revolution, mass immigration, the fallout of the French Revolution and its secular and secularizing values etc.)<br />Some of these were either silenced, shut up, or even ousted by THEIR OWN FOUNDED COMMUNITIES . . . until<br />time and the fruits of their unique apostolate and finally their respective Bishop exhonerated them.<br /> <br />A similar pattern in the life of Bishop Fulton Sheen. He'd been the smartest graduate ever to pass through Louvain <br />University (1920/Belgium). . . magnum cum laude . . highest marks in everything. They served champagne at his reception;<br />wine went with cum laude, and beer below that. <br /> <br />His first assignment was in England, to a relatively obscure parish of St. Edmund. But even then his preaching began to draw from other parishes. Anyhow, when his term was complete, his Bishop called him back to the States. But Fulton wanted to know, "Why did you put me at St. Edmund's?" "To see if you would OBEY, " was the reply. " Now, run along and teach philosophy at Catholic University . . ." ( Fulton J. Sheen, Treasure In Clay, well worth your time reading! )<br /> <br /> <br />Here's the quote from the St. Louis Review, "My canon lawyer and my civil lawyers have concluded that I cannot receive a fair and just hearing under the Church's present process," he said. Fair enough. But so what, Father John? He concludes, "The case may be on hold indefinitely, but my life cannot be." <br /> <br />With that "but", I fear Father Corapi just stepped outside the bounds of the refuge of Holy Obedience, so critical in safely carrying Father Corapi's above mentioned forunners through the crucible of trail and false judgement. As one blogger/ reviewer put it, "He lost it."<br /> <br />Two of the great formative early Church Fathers, Tertullian and Origen, were never declared Saints. Though modern research re-instated them as great theologians, they did espouse certain off-key ideas. They weren't heretics ( from the Greek, herysein, meaning to select, pick and choose), and herectics, as a rule, ARE deep thinkers . . . BUT usually wrong.<br /> <br />Looks like John Corapi has been caught in a similar crucible. Unfortunate that his preaching of Church teaching, including the rich fare on holiness and the saints . . . and the Word of God . . . - heck! . . he was spiritual director/confessor of Bl. Mother Teresa's sisters!! - too bad none of THEIR Divine Fire didn't burn in his own soul NOW. Still, hurt is hurt. And he, like so many of the above-mentioned were deeply hurt.<br /> <br />However, God's not done with him yet. Nor with us. We best not be hasty in writing him off, or anybody else, for that matter.<br /> <br />Better give you a breather, eh Paul!<br /> <br />Bob<br />p.s. . . so, do you still want the set of questions and asnwers? They are well worth viewing.<br />Father Corapi is his usual apostolic self, inspired by the Grace of the Church's calling. <br /> <br /> Reply Forwardcorners 'n edgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08393668813776135440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-81390035899948081462011-06-20T07:52:21.327-07:002011-06-20T07:52:21.327-07:00LaMamaVoca,
While I understand your point, keep in...LaMamaVoca,<br />While I understand your point, keep in mind that leaving active priestly ministry and the religious life that one has been led to live does NOT constitute a request for laicization.<br /><br />I don't know if John Corapi will seek the latter or not, but I think it unwise to assume that he's gone for good. According to the former bishop of Corpus Christi, he (John Corapi) may well be pursuing other means of clearing his name, also the credibility of other formerly active priests.<br />Considering how many times he (John Corapi) mentioned the plight of other priests he'd known, that would make perfect sense.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13693728555801144332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-77809811236885574792011-06-20T07:51:58.344-07:002011-06-20T07:51:58.344-07:00JMMcKee states: While I am fiercely loyal to the C...JMMcKee states: <i>While I am fiercely loyal to the Church, I also accept the reality that She has been gravely harmed by some members in the USCCB who have championed a liberal/progressive agenda in place of Gospel values.</i><br /><br />And there in lies the problem...with the USCCB and their progressive/liberal ALINSKY tactics in order to protect their agenda. I hear nothing about the PRO-ABORT-CATHOLICS in Congress <b>[http://www.canon915.org/list_people.php?figure_ind=P]</b> because they, too, are 'progressive/liberal' .... I see what's happening to Father Corapi as "Rule 13" in Alinsky's <b>Rules for Radicals</b>. And it takes the focus off of the USCCB's failures to uphold the Church's Pro-Life teaching and their refusal to own up to their own guilt and complicity in failing to promote and uphold the Teachings of the Magisterium. <br /><br />The USCCB fails to take today's Gospel to heart. They're too busy allowing sin to run rampant in their diocese and across this nation.<br /><br />PS this is not an indictment against every member of the USCCB. There are some truly godly men doing their best against the tide of those 'progressive/liberals' who would silence them.<br /><br />God have mercy on The Catholic Church in America.Auntie Coosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11737055307763465330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-87781392727745296442011-06-20T05:17:40.941-07:002011-06-20T05:17:40.941-07:00The linked blog post stating that he was NOT leavi...The linked blog post stating that he was NOT leaving the priesthood is incorrect. <br /><br />His religious superior is quoted as saying, "The investigation was halted after Father Corapi “sent us a letter resigning from active ministry and religious life. I have written him a letter asking him to confirm that decision. If so, we will help him with this process of leaving religious life,” said Father Sheehan."<br /><br />Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/father-corapis-bombshell/#ixzz1Polv53aMBeckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00906873166719359978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-15525915627372316622011-06-20T01:11:16.601-07:002011-06-20T01:11:16.601-07:00Here's the problem that I see with this situat...Here's the problem that I see with this situation:<br />I understand then-Father Corapi to have been suspended from active ministry pending investigation. The allegations relate to possible sexual misconduct with a former employee and drug abuse, particularly with illegal drugs.<br /><br />The latter is definitely subject to criminal law. The former could very well be as well. Whether the Dallas Charter applies or not, I think law enforcement personnel DEFINITELY should be involved.<br />..I thought we had to wrestle with some 10 years worth of bad press because too many bishops DIDN'T do just that...<br /><br />It's been three months. Any competent investigator should have been capable of discerning enough credible evidence to request an arrest warrant or a grand jury. If not, then-Father Corapi's superiors should've received a report of some sort to declare that he ought to be set back to work and the matter dropped.<br /><br />Neither of these has happened. It's always possible that then-Father Corapi has been lying, but even that should've been appropriate grounds for some kind of official action.<br /><br />That we have not seen any of this, but now have a formerly credible priest first being suspended, now feeling compelled to leave the priesthood, smells suspicious to me.<br /><br />Exactly how many rats do we truly have to contend with here?Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13693728555801144332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-1303272600457222312011-06-19T23:36:38.183-07:002011-06-19T23:36:38.183-07:00I invite you to read his Excellency Rene Henry Gra...I invite you to read his Excellency Rene Henry Gracida's statement about Father Corapi: http://abyssum.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/a-few-thoughts-on-father-corapis-announcement-yesterday/Raising {& Teaching} Little Saintshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13541681374839041280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-18702451331998828992011-06-19T21:19:46.261-07:002011-06-19T21:19:46.261-07:00An interview with Fr. Sheehan of SOLT now explains...An interview with Fr. Sheehan of SOLT now explains why the investigation seemed to be dragging. Fr. Corapi was trying to enforce a non-disclosure clause that his former employee (and some of his current ones) had signed. He had been invited to move back into community and turned down the offer. Pray that he changes his mind. The article is at http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/father-corapis-bombshellDaniel Hummhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08753644726980431400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-61116870994899437482011-06-19T19:20:01.556-07:002011-06-19T19:20:01.556-07:00Thanks for this very interesting and informed piec...Thanks for this very interesting and informed piece. <br /><br />People who are very fond of Fr. Corapi seem to find it difficult to believe that not everyone knows all about him. If you are one of them, please remember than only a minority of Catholics watch EWTN or listen to EWTN radio. And even among them, many prefer to watch or listen to other programs, or are able to tune in only when other programs are on. He has been very influential with a large number of people, but they are still only a small number of all Catholics. So please, don't be offended by someone who doesn't know about Fr. Corapi, or knows who he is but doesn't know anything about the case. And don't assume these people are lying or dissembling just because they have a different experience than you do.Gail Fhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11740482509910163332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-46411225141991694292011-06-19T19:01:09.146-07:002011-06-19T19:01:09.146-07:00For those of you who have been heartsick for Fr. C...For those of you who have been heartsick for Fr. Corapi all weekend, the website below should lift your spirits. It belongs to the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Corpus Christi (1983-1997). It was under his tenure that S.O.L.T., Fr. Corapi's order was established.<br /><br />It appears that Fr. Corapi is not leaving the priesthood as New Advent stated in excessively large print on its website. Let's hope this bit of encouraging news will spread just as quickly.<br /><br />http://abyssum.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/a-few-thoughts-on-father-corapis-announcement-yesterday/jmmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00767441899746753869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-76572989669100968422011-06-19T17:56:08.824-07:002011-06-19T17:56:08.824-07:00Thanks for what you said. It is good information. ...Thanks for what you said. It is good information. For a while I was tempted to accept the accusation of John Corapi regarding the "unfair and unjust Church process". Being a lay in these matters, I am easily swayed by opinions. It is very important to be better informed about Church processes. A lot of misunderstandings and anti-Church discrimination happen due to this lack of information about how the Church legal system operates. Again, thanks.Francisco C. Castrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15497712121759375701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-90107693474484286052011-06-19T14:38:51.622-07:002011-06-19T14:38:51.622-07:00Former Father Corapi's blog site banner is dow...Former Father Corapi's blog site banner is downright frightening! It conveys more of a "wolf in sheep's clothing" than a "black sheep." What's up with that?Bill Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07123802921048179056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-8742332205395525562011-06-19T14:38:32.581-07:002011-06-19T14:38:32.581-07:00EWTN has millions of viewers around the world. Fr...EWTN has millions of viewers around the world. Fr. Corapi was part of their main line up each week with TWO regular programs. I'm sure many people were aware and are aware of who he is and the contributions he has made to promoting and teaching the Catholic faith. I'm sorry you never got to know him via his broadcasts on EWTN.wwagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12835592374171624649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-6351041523083118522011-06-19T14:18:55.104-07:002011-06-19T14:18:55.104-07:00Dear Servant,
Thanks for your opinion.
I see it ...Dear Servant,<br /><br />Thanks for your opinion.<br /><br />I see it differently.<br /><br />First, I'm NOT talking about Corapi; I'm writing about the process being followed. Now, why am I doing this? It is NOT to condemn, belittle or demean ANYONE, least of all Father Corapi.<br /><br />On the contrary, I wrote the original blog only after I read a lot of confused reactions of many hurting people, people who are struggling to understand what is going on surrounding Fr. Corapi. It was along these lines that I thought some factual input ABOUT THE PROCESS might be helpful to those people and help them find some peace.<br /><br />My role as a deacon is not merely to assist other clerics find peace, but the people we all serve. In my experience, especially when dealing with a highly emotional situation, getting some facts can be helpful -- for all concerned, including the cleric involved.<br /><br />I have not, and will not, opine about the merits of the case. But when I hear a lot of wild speculation and demonization of the process born out of emotion and not facts, then I feel a responsibility to say something.<br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />Deacon Bill<br /><br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />Deacon BillDeacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11525431509279159558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-41312437238039337342011-06-19T14:00:45.682-07:002011-06-19T14:00:45.682-07:00Dear Deacon - my advice, since you are a deacon es...Dear Deacon - my advice, since you are a deacon especially, is not to write anything about the accused. You're not his lawyer; you don't know the facts. Give Fr. Corapi a call and offer help. That's charity and compassion - in Christ [I was in prison and you came to me]. Anything else is sort of vain and like gossip and may actually be hurting him and hurting the Church. Let his bishop do the talking. If his bishop is not your bishop, then are you helping your bishop? Just an observation.Servanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00773498141873854875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-37424471359076022232011-06-19T13:33:02.256-07:002011-06-19T13:33:02.256-07:00Deacon:
It seems that when Father Corapi broke the...Deacon:<br />It seems that when Father Corapi broke the news of his suspension and published the press release of his superior, it indicated that he "has been placed on administrative leave from priestly ministry". While it did not directly state that his faculties were suspended (though it is implied), EWTN explained their decision to remove his programming by referring to a letter that had been communicated to all bishops which said "Fr. Corapi has been placed on administrative leave and has had all of his priestly faculties removed.”<br /><br />It's not altogether clear that at the time he was placed on administrative leave, he actually had faculties. The bishop of Helena seemed to make it clear that he did not have any faculties through the diocese, and there was no indication that his residence had any approval even so far as to being able to maintain an oratory on the premises. No one has ever provided a clear explanation of the history of his faculties.<br /><br />There was a lawsuit back in 2003 in Sacramento between his media companies in which Father was trying to obtain copies of documents files with the diocese and the defendents tried to claim clegy-penitent privilege. I have no idea what became of those documents, but the judge said:<br />"One can also reasonably infer that in whole or in part,the writings at issue do not relate to penitential matters involving confession and absolution, but rather to a reporting of alleged misconduct of Corapi or, as urged by plaintiffs, complaints about the business practices of Corapi. "<br />(Santa Cruz Media Inc. v Saint Joseph Holdings)Daniel Hummhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08753644726980431400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-15305717160188489132011-06-19T13:28:21.785-07:002011-06-19T13:28:21.785-07:00Dear "Informer,"
Are you sure you inten...Dear "Informer,"<br /><br />Are you sure you intended your comment for this blog? I said absolutely nothing about what role, if any, "the bishops" (which ones?) might be playing in all of this.<br /><br />In fact, I can assure you that "the bishops" (as in the USCCB as a whole) are not doing very much about Corapi. WHY? Because it's not the responsibility of the bishops to deal with what happens to an individual cleric; that responsibility is the diocesan bishop's and the religious superior involved.<br /><br />If the bishop decides to take canonical action in the case, that's his responsibility, and if he needs assistance, he will go to the appropriate support offices at the Holy See. It is most definitely NOT the role of the USCCB to serve as an investigative body.<br /><br />What he WILL do, and this is apparently what Corapi was referring to in his statement, is notify the rest of the US Bishops of the action he takes. This is done in the case of ANY cleric, so that a cleric can't simply move to a different bishop's jurisdiction and present himself for an assignment.<br /><br />But for the present, I'd appreciate it if you'd point out to me the statements I've made which you find naive. All I've done is outline the procedure being followed, and it wasn't an idealized account. Besides, idealism is not necessarily naivete.<br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />Deacon BillDeacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11525431509279159558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-33642056431053621832011-06-19T13:20:40.617-07:002011-06-19T13:20:40.617-07:00Corapi never should have been ordained a priest, i...Corapi never should have been ordained a priest, if his background is as depraved as he seems to delight in describing. He was rejected by several orders before SOLT finally took him, probably in desperation. Sure, a man can have a past, sins, faults, and then convert. But there is a level of promiscuity and wildness that shows inherent bad judgment and a weak character. We see now that Corapi never was worthy of the priesthood he now abandons.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-29465388669895359672011-06-19T13:10:02.212-07:002011-06-19T13:10:02.212-07:00Sounds Naive!
You talk as if the bishops are aggr...Sounds Naive!<br /><br />You talk as if the bishops are aggressively seeking the truth of the matter, verifying accusations, finding witnesses etc. Fact is, bishops are not doing anything of the sort whether because of disinterest or other. The bishops do not defend their priests. AND if the priest is a thorn in the side of the bishop or other powerful clerics, well then problem solved.<br /><br />The priest remains in limbo, unable to serve. It's the easiest route for a bishop to take to rid himself of a troublesome priest.<br /><br />Don't be so naive to think that this doesn't happen more often than you know.<br /><br />I am aware of a few similar situations.The Informerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03835130626301062141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-72264414553409234592011-06-19T12:06:01.157-07:002011-06-19T12:06:01.157-07:00Dear JMMcKee,
Thanks for your comment.
The staff...Dear JMMcKee,<br /><br />Thanks for your comment.<br /><br />The staff supporting the bishops at the USCCB do just that: support the ministry of the bishops. Rarely do we get involved in direct support to individual clerics. In one sense, that would be inappropriate in most cases, since diocesan presbyters and deacons serve directly with and for their bishops, and that's where the most direct support is or should be found.<br /><br />On the other hand, if you check the USCCB web site, you'll find that the Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations has many initiatives supporting the ministry of our clergy. Archbishop Carlson is the Chair of that Committee; I would urge you to contact him directly if you have suggestions and recommendations on how the staff might do more. That's a serious suggestion, and I know that Archbishop Carlson would love to receive it, and Fr. Shawn McKnight, who now heads that Secretariat, would be most receptive.<br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />BillDeacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11525431509279159558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-60697141476653891982011-06-19T12:00:32.564-07:002011-06-19T12:00:32.564-07:00Dear wwagner,
By all means, take ANYTHING you rea...Dear wwagner,<br /><br />By all means, take ANYTHING you read on the internet with a huge grain of salt! And please don't refer to me as "the good" deacon when it is clear from your post that you believe nothing of the kind!<br /><br />I don't owe you or anyone else a reason for why I'm not familiar with Fr. Corapi and his work, but I'll give one. You say that he's been doing this for 20 years; I'll take you at your word.<br /><br />20 years ago I was serving in command of a Navy base on Okinawa, finishing up a 22 year Navy career 18 years ago and returning to the States. I then served as Associate Principal of a Catholic high school for a couple of years before getting into a variety of diocesan positions: running the diaconate office for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, and later as director of pastoral services for two dioceses in the Midwest. I finished a Ph.D. from Catholic University, while being married with four children. From 1996 to 2004 I worked directly on helping the US bishops develop a National Directory on the Formation, Ministry and Life of Deacons, which consumed a lot of time as well. Over those years, out of our 196 dioceses and eparchies in the US, I visited more than 140 of them, usually to talk about the ministry of deacon and priests.<br /><br />Then, for the last four years I taught Theology full-time at a Catholic university.<br /><br />Have you any idea how many great preachers we have serving us out there? Do you have any idea how many sources of religious education and catechesis and evangelization are available? I have no doubt that Fr. Corapi touched many people, and for his ministry, I thank God. I also, however, thank God for the countless other evangelists -- no less talented, no less gifted, no less filled with the Holy Spirit -- who serve our wonderful people.<br /><br />The fact that one lone deacon didn't know anything about this particular priest is my own shortcoming. On the other hand, I probably know a few good and faithful preacher whom YOU have never heard of, either. So, what does all that mean? Believe it or not, for all of Corapi's followers, far more Catholics never heard of him than did. My guess is that more have heard about him since his "troubles" began than before.<br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />Deacon BillDeacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11525431509279159558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-2219058819535581242011-06-19T11:47:50.879-07:002011-06-19T11:47:50.879-07:00Dear Servant,
Thank you for your post.
How you c...Dear Servant,<br /><br />Thank you for your post.<br /><br />How you could find anything I wrote above as condemning of Corapi is really beyond me. As I explained, my only purpose to try to add some clarity about the process being followed in his (and similar) cases. That is all.<br /><br />I'm not judging at all.<br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />BillDeacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11525431509279159558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-5683727763362721932011-06-19T11:12:36.317-07:002011-06-19T11:12:36.317-07:00How anyone could be serving the Catholic Church in...How anyone could be serving the Catholic Church in the USA and NOT have heard or known of Fr. Corapi and his influence over the past 20 years simply astounds me! I will take what I read here from the good deacon with a grain of salt.wwagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12835592374171624649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-87476089792881183422011-06-19T11:10:24.834-07:002011-06-19T11:10:24.834-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.wwagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12835592374171624649noreply@blogger.com