Why it is important to know what happened.
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First off, why is it important for Catholics to know the details of what went wrong with Corapi? Because there is a hierarchy within Catholicism and because priests are the ones with the power to forgive sins, to baptize, to marry, to confirm, to direct and counsel and teach - in union with their bishops. Because if they deceive or seduce us or just one member of the faithful, they weaken the faith of the weakest and repel many of those just beginning to look to the Church for salvation. Because to know how the wolf got into the sheepfold is to know how to be more vigilant in the future. And because it looks as if Corapi and his lawyers are not telling the whole story - and setting up obstructions to those who want to do so.
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Agree with me or not, the stuff coming out now is confirming quite a lot of what critics have speculated since the news broke last Spring. National Catholic Register has published some key details about the case which reflect negatively upon Corapi's claims.
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A few important details:
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Father Gerard Sheehan, regional priest-servant of SOLT and Father Corapi’s religious superior in the U.S., confirmed June 19 that the order’s investigation faced complications created by a civil suit filed by Father Corapi against the former employee who had accused him of sexual misconduct.
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“When she left the company, she signed a contract that she would not reveal anything that happened to her while she was at Santa Cruz Media. Father Corapi paid her for this. Father was suing her for a breach of contract,” said Father Sheehan, though he did not specify why Father Corapi had initiated the non-disclosure agreement.
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Obstruction of justice?
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The civil suit against the former employee created a problem for SOLT investigators.
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“In canon law, there can’t be any pressure on witnesses; they have to be completely free to speak. The investigation was compromised because of the pressure on the witnesses. There were other witnesses that also had signed non-disclosure agreements,” said Father Sheehan.
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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.
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He expressed disappointment that Father Corapi chose not to remain in SOLT and to refuse the order’s invitation for him to live in community, leaving his Montana home. Father Sheehan said he had tried to arrange a meeting with Father Corapi before any final decision was announced, but had not heard back from him. Father Sheehan said that SOLT would issue a statement shortly.
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“We wanted him to come back to the community, and that would have meant leaving everything he has. It would have been a drastic change for him,” Father Sheehan said. “We will continue to move pastorally and charitably, taking steps to protect his good name.” - NCRegister, Joan Frawley Desmond
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Links:
So far the best coverage and analysis I have found is here:
The Deacon's Bench
The Anchoress
Te Deum Laudemus
Caelum et Terra
Frightening isn't it? Btw Terry can u catch up with my latest blog? thanks
ReplyDeleteHi jackie - I linked!
ReplyDeleteSorry guy -- I have to question your logic:
ReplyDeleteYou wrote:
First off, why is it important for Catholics to know the details of what went wrong with Corapi? ...Because if they deceive or seduce us or just one member of the faithful, they weaken the faith of the weakest and repel many of those just beginning to look to the Church for salvation.
I'm not leaving just because Martin Luther, Fr Coughlin or Daniel Berrigan abused thier power.
Beside, I've known some tough as coffin nails, Irish-Catholics, who would not be deterred by the Devil himself.
You wrote:
Agree with me or not, the stuff coming out now is confirming quite a lot of what critics have speculated since the news broke last Spring.
This I agree with --a lot of confirmed critics speculating about news. What about the good Father? Should we consider his story of having gone through "hell" and come out a Priest.
I can't help but believe that after we're finished with him (Fr Corapi), God will continue to have more work for him to accomplish.
As the man says, "Truth in it's essence is not a something, it's a somebody...His name is Jesus Christ."
Jim - You may not be leaving but others might be - in fact Corapi might be taking them for his own sect. You are welcome to question or disagree with my point of view any time.
ReplyDeleteTerry--I went to the Anchoress to read her post, as you suggested it (I would not have otherwise). I found this exchange in the comments:
ReplyDeleteon 19 Jun 2011 at 2:03 am4
brother jeff
I think the blogo-klatch should focus on someone else at this point, hopefully not me. All this reminds of the great but forgotten film, the Devil and Daniel Webster, and the way the way the Devil laughs and stare into the camera at the end, looking at each of us. Let’s have done.
[Jeff, you're welcome to ignore any or all posts, but I thought some might appreciate reading something with a little clarity. I understand this is painful for you; that's very clear, but more information is helpful. AND I AM GOINF TO ADVISE YOU ONE MORE TIME TO RESIST THE IMPULSE TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO ON MY BLOG - -admin]
on 19 Jun 2011 at 2:20 am5 brother jeff
Elizabeth, you keep confusing a recommendation with a command. I would never presume to order you to do anything. I think you know that.
[I DO. I NEVER SID YOU WERE GIVING COMMANDS. BUT YOUR "ADVICE" AS TO WHAT I SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT POST ON MY BLOG IS NOT WELCOME. THANK YOU. IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT, I HOPE YOU DO, NOW; I HOPE I AM CLEAR. -admin]
Elizabeth Scalia, aka "The Anchoress", (also at Summa This, Summa That) , is obviously, the "admin". This is why I do typically read her, and the reason I read so few Catholic blogs, as they hardly seem kind, let alone Catholic.
One of my friends has just pointed out that Santa Cruz Media filed a trademark application for the brand "The Black-Sheep Dog," a series of autobiographical nonfiction books, in April 2010. Apparently his new name has been under consideration for some time.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Scalia, aka "The Anchoress", (also at Summa This, Summa That) , is obviously, the "admin". This is why I do NOT typically read her, and the reason I read so few Catholic blogs, as they hardly seem kind, let alone Catholic.
ReplyDeleteNon-disclosure statements--
ReplyDeleteMany companies have them--keeps you from selling "proprietary company info" to the highest bidder, especially when contracts are up for bid/recompete..
Also in many companies, one of the reasons that they put scientist/programmers/engineers on salary is so that they can own your brain 24/7. As an engineer I really had to negotiate a "personal freedom" clause with my current company...otherwise if I designed the latest and greatest iPhone app on my own time using my own computer at my house and made a billion dollars it would technically belong to MY company, not me..and I would have to turn over all proceeds to my company.
Be careful what you sign, and read the fine print.
Sara
Elizabeth Scalia and Mark Shea are both remarkably uncharitable yet self-righteous about shouting that others need to be charitable. I am beginning to think that blogging itself is sinful and not just a near occasion.
ReplyDeleteAnnie: You are SO right. Scalia and Shea are indeed remarkably uncharitable. I keep thinking I am going to start a blog and then refrain for precisely this reason. I don't trust myself. It is not possible for me to read anything by Scalia w/ out thinking of her cruelty toward others.
ReplyDelete