I remember the first time I heard this man speak...It was late and my Mother almost had a heart attack (not literally) about how she had to watch this priest give a talk...Now I do like listening to talks given by Priests and I do love listening to Certain Priests give talks Like Fr. Larry or Fr. J(ohn) the "Official" Life Teen Priest. But I never have been obsessed...anyway so Listened for a few mins. and I realized this guy isn't my favorite priest in fact I don't like the way he is approaching his ministry...Just not for me sort of thing...When I heard about his problems and acustations I was sort of struck then as the case has developed it seems like he was going to stay quite and let it go see what happens and rely on GOD to take care of it...But as the course of everything took its course he aparently felt as though that he wasn't being treated fairly. Because there are certain rules they have to follow. Now In his speech he said nothing about The Eucharist. He just saw the writing on the wall and said screw it, I can do it myself. But when you look at the saints what made them saints. Their pure obedience to the Church and her ways. Many of them were told no, shot down by their bishops and Mother Superior, or even imprisoned for their work. They kept on keeping on It seemed to me that he is trying to take the high road over the Church and he also critized the church by saying:
"Unfortunately, the process used is inherently and fatally flawed, but the bishops have the power, apparently, to operate anyway they see fit. I cannot give a lengthy explanation of what has transpired, but I can tell you that the most likely outcome is that they leave me suspended indefinitely and just let me fade away. They can’t prove I’m guilty of the things alleged because I’m not, and they can’t prove I’m innocent because that is simply illogical and impossible. All civilized societies know that. Certain leaders in the Catholic Church apparently do not."
As I some times do here is an excerpt of Bob Rice's blog about the subject:
Yesterday, John Corapi announced on his website that he believes that there is no way he can receive fair treatment by the Church regarding this accusation, and that he is leaving the priesthood. He described his thought process as the following:
In the final analysis I have only one of only two viable choices:
1. I can quietly lie down and die, or
2. I can go on in ways that I am able to go on.
1. I can quietly lie down and die, or
2. I can go on in ways that I am able to go on.
He’s missing an obvious third option: 3) Spend time in solitude in a life of prayer as you wait in hope for the situation to be positively resolved.
There are many stories of saints who were censured by their religious superiors unjustly, or even imprisoned! What made them saints was their obedience to the Church and faithfulness to God.
Look, I’m not suggesting it’s easy, and if he is unjustly accused it’s quite a cross to bear. But Jesus was also unjustly accused. And this is a man who has spent his life trying to model Jesus for others by what he says and does.
John Corapi has left the Church and is trying to make it seem like he is taking the high road by doing it. He is confident that some authorities in the Church are out to get him and that he can’t get a fair result. What he didn’t mention is that he’s complicated the investigation by filing a civil suit against his accuser because by accusing him she’s breached a non-disclosure clause that he makes people who work for him sign (which also makes you wonder... why would you need people to sign such a thing in the first place?) He didn’t mention that his religious superior reached out to him and offered him to be a quiet part of the community while this gets resolved, but he never even responded to him.
And he didn’t mention was anything about the Eucharist.
A few hours after hearing John Corapi’s announcement, I was leading worship for Eucharistic Adoration with 1,900 teenagers. Christ was moving powerfully that evening. Lives were changed. Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. John Corapi used to hold that presence in his hands, and he’s thrown it away because he feels his “ministry” is more important.
On his website he mentions that he feels that his ministry will grow larger because he’s no longer a Catholic priest. What he doesn’t realize is that his ministry only existed because he was a Catholic priest.
I will keep praying for John as he does his ministry and I pray that people don't leave the church over this but they do everything they can to stay Catholic. I also pray that he is doing his ministry for the right reasons not just to prove a point. I support the Church and I know that Priests are people to. Mistakes are made and things happen. But that is no reason for him to resign as a Priest. My hope is that he doesn't keep criticizing the church and her view and that he moves on with his Public Ministry.
