I Will Not Defend Fr. Corapi. I Will Defend Bishop Mulvey.

Here is a very quick summation about the Fr. Corapi affair:

-Fr. Corapi was suspended by order of Bishop Mulvey, of Corpus Christi, because of allegations by a former employee of his apostolate. We do not know if the allegations are true.
-Fr. Corapi has been suspended all of 4 months when he announced he is leaving the priesthood and his order so that he can continue his ministry. In doing so, he threw the following under the bus:

1. The Catholic Church's investigative process.
2. His accuser.
3. Bishop Mulvey.

As to #1 - I am not a fan of certain parts of the process, and because it isn't a perfect process, I believe some criticisms are very valid. That does NOT mean that Corapi is being unjustly treated - we just don't know enough to make support the claims one way or the other.

As to #2 - we don't know enough, so no comment.

As to #3 - I know Bishop Mulvey and can say this. He does not deserve the treatment he is getting from Corapi. You see, Bishop Mulvey is the kind of man who will not come out with both guns blazing in order to defend himself. In other words, he isn't like me. He is a humble servant of God and a very good priest and Bishop.

He didn't go looking for a fight with Corapi, but was dragged into it because of an accusation that was brought to his attention. What was he to do? He had to launch an investigation and the most prudent thing was to pull Corapi from active ministry until the investigation could go forward.

We still don't know if the accusations against Corapi are true or not and we may never know. But, here is what we do know:

1. The legal processes, both in the courts and the Church, are flawed.
2. Fr. Corapi needs our prayers.
3. Bishop Mulvey needs our prayers.
4. The accuser needs our prayers.
5. The Church needs our prayers.
6. Fr. Corapi was asked to stop living by himself, on a ranch in Montana, and join his congregation.
7. Fr. Corapi was a priest of the Diocese of Corpus Christi and took a vow of obedience to his superiors. This vow has been broken.
8. This scandal is dealt with by Canon Law, not the Dallas Charter for the protection of children.
9. Because Corapi is walking away from the priesthood, the Church's investigation is over. The legal courts will now deal with it alone.
10. God is a Provident Father and can bring good out of any situation.

If Corapi "quit" because of an unjust situation, then he probably still made the wrong decision. It seems the decision to re-brand himself outside of the priesthood must have been made a while ago. Which means he only gave the process a few short months, at best. What would we think of St. Padre Pio if he quit in the face of injustice? What about Jesus quitting his vocation in the face of injustice?

At best, we have a wounded man who feels pushed out of the priesthood, because he sees no other way to continue to do what he feels called to do. This has created a huge scandal with many unanswered questions. It has also sullied the names of many others, including Bishop Mulvey, which I believe is an injustice.

At worst, Corapi is guilty of what he is accused and is now throwing others who oppose him under the bus in order to keep his reputation and increase his bank account.

Either way it is a terrible scandal, which is magnified because of Corapi's decision.

We may never know the details, but God does.

So, what do we do now? We pray. We believe. We have hope. We love.
Even in the face of scandal.

I will turn comments on for this post, but no attacks on anyone will be tolerated.
Peace.

UPDATE #1:

Corapi Issues a Second Statement...this one is quite sad. Here is a summation of it:

• He says he had "no choice" because he would never be reinstated to public ministry.
• He goes on to say it doesn't matter if he can't celebrate the Sacraments. He goes on to say he never did much Sacramental ministry anyway.
• He continues to vehemently defend himself and says the accusations are false. He says the leadership of the Church is killing and attacking him.
• So, why did he resign? Because his lawyers concluded "it would be next to impossible to receive a fair and just outcome." Then he defends his civil lawsuit and continues to defame the accuser as an alcoholic and "emotional erratic behavior", who is trying to extort money from him.
• He even tells someone who accuses him of using cocaine (which is a pitiful accusation) to "put up or shut up".) He even says he will pay him $100,000 in one day if it is proven correct. I guess he has some serious cash.
• He says "I didn't start this" and that "a very very sick woman" did. Then, the authorities through him under the bus like "yesterday's garbage" and yet he is "not bitter about it". 

Ug. This really doesn't help, but makes the whole thing uglier.

Listen to the statement here.

**I stand by this statement:

At best, we have a wounded man who feels pushed out of the priesthood, because he sees no other way to continue to do what he feels called to do. This has created a huge scandal with many unanswered questions. It has also sullied the names of many others, including Bishop Mulvey, which I believe is an injustice.

At worst, Corapi is guilty of what he is accused and is now throwing others who oppose him under the bus in order to keep his reputation and increase his bank account.

UPDATE #2:

SOLT, Corapi's community, has released a statement:

Official SOLT Statement Regarding Fr John Corapi
As the Regional Priest Servant of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), I issue the following statement on behalf of the Society.

On 16 March 2011, the Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas, and the SOLT received a complaint against Fr. John Corapi, SOLT. As is normal procedure and due to the gravity of the accusation alleging conduct not in concert with the priestly state or his promises as a member of an society of apostolic of diocesan right, Fr. Corapi was suspended from active ministry (put on administrative leave) until such a time that the complaint could be fully investigated and due process given to Fr. Corapi. In the midst of the investigation, the SOLT received a letter from Fr. Corapi, dated June 3, 2011, indicating that, because of the physical, emotional and spiritual distress he has endured over the past few years, he could no longer continue to function as a priest or a member of the SOLT. Although the investigation was in progress, the SOLT had not arrived at any conclusion as to the credibility of the allegations under investigation.

At the onset, the Bishop of Corpus Christi advised the SOLT to not only proceed with the policies outlined in their own constitution, but also with the proper canonical procedures to determine the credibility of the allegations against Fr. Corapi. We reiterate that Fr. Corapi had not been determined guilty of any canonical or civil crimes. If the allegations had been found to be credible, the proper canonical due process would have been offered to Fr. Corapi, including his right to defense, to know his accuser and the complaint lodged, and a fair canonical trial with the right of recourse to the Holy See. On June 17, 2011, Fr. John Corapi issued a public statement indicating that he has chosen to cease functioning as a priest and a member of the SOLT.

The SOLT is deeply saddened that Fr. Corapi is suffering distress. The SOLT is further saddened by Fr. Corapi’s response to these allegations. The SOLT will do all within its power to assist Fr. Corapi if he desires to seek a dispensation from his rights and obligations as a priest and as a professed member of the SOLT. We request your prayers and the intercession of the Blessed Mother for the healing of Fr. Corapi and for any who have been negatively affected by Fr. Corapi’s decision to end his ministry as a priest and a member of the SOLT.

Fr Gerrard Sheehan, SOLT
Regional Priest Servant