The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity has put out an official press release on the FATHER CORAPI SCANDAL. Fr. Gerard Sheehan, the superior writes:
“While SOLT does not typically comment publicly on personnel matters, it recognizes that Fr. John Corapi, through his ministry, has inspired thousands of faithful Catholics, many of whom continue to express their support of him. SOLT also recognizes that Fr. Corapi is now misleading these individuals through his false statements and characterizations. It is for these Catholics that SOLT, by means of this announcement, seeks to set the record straight.”
While I can appreciate the need for a statement, I must admit that I am surprised at the bluntness and the depth of revelation. He remarks about the investigative process and what they discerned from emails, witnesses and other sources that has been going on during the time of the priest’s public ministry:
- Fr. Corapi already handed in his resignation in early June.
- He paid $100,000 to silence the woman making charges.
- Other witnesses were similarly silenced and Fr. Corapi refused to release them for testimony to the investigative team.
- He had violated his promise of poverty by holding legal title to over one million dollars in real estate, luxuary cars, boats, etc.
- He cohabitated in two states with a known prostitute, recently began sexting one or two women and resorted to repeated drug and alcohol use.
I would not normally even post about such matters, but I can well appreciate the frustation of his superior. Fr. Corapi is a powerful communicator and people love him. If he is guilty of such things and is falsely placing the blame on the leadership of the Catholic Church, then public correction needs to be made. Having said this, I think that the leadership in SOLT must be faulted for allowing this situation to grow so out of hand. They should have reigned him in years ago. Their passivity has now made for a far worse and more scandalous situation. The press release continues:
“SOLT has contemporaneously with the issuance of this press release directed Fr. John Corapi, under obedience, to return home to the Society’s regional office and take up residence there. It has also ordered him, again under obedience, to dismiss the lawsuit he has filed against his accuser.”
A letter of resignation would not release him from his priestly promises and those made to SOLT. A good priest does as he is told. This is a bad situation all around. I wonder how Fr. Corapi will respond? I suppose die-hard fans will contend that the evidence is contrived and that the priest is innocent. And indeed, I would still argue that if he is innocent then he should make his case and work with the process. It is unfortunate that Fr. Corapi has forced this whole matter and scandal into the public forum. But souls are at stake and this delicate situation is about more than one man. If he is guilty, then he should demonstrate sorrow and contrition, placing his ministry and future into the hands of his lawful superiors. It would be a wonderful teaching moment and maybe the highpoint of his ministry. Christ is speaking to him through his superiors. That is how priestly obedience works. But will he listen? Will he fight for his priesthood? This battle cannot be won with militant rhetoric or tactics of subterfuge. He can only find victory by being a faithful son of the Church and a humble priest. He must be courageous and forthright about any revelations exposed by the truth. He must reckon himself as any confessor to be the first among sinners, “Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.” Things will never be the same but God may not be finished with him yet. I pray that Fr. Corapi will make the right choice and work with God’s grace in this.
An element which really upsets me about this situation is how one segment of the Church is set against another. Father Corapi comes under investigation and the priest comes out with a statement that the bishop and his superior have a right to do what they do; but next he talks about the real enemies of the Church and we all know he is targeting those who put him on administrative leave. Then he claims obedience but his personal corporation makes a statement that they are under no one’s thumb and the ministry media business will continue as if nothing has happened. By the beginning of June he submits his resignation and tells his fans weeks later that the Church has forced him out. Bishop Michael Mulvey and his lawful superior, Fr. Gerard Sheehan, SOLT, seek to clarify matters but then there is the public intervention on his behalf of the founders of SOLT, Father Flanagan and the Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi, Bishop Rene Gracida. Critics and fans of the priest can now take their pick and decry the other side as wrong-headed or evil. The impression is given that the Church is fighting with herself. Despite the lament of Fr. Corapi that this is a plot of the liberals who are out to get him, the battleground that emerges is between very conservative or orthodox churchmen and laity. Liberal revisionists are no doubt having a delight in watching the so-called “religious right” of the Church rip itself apart over the media priest. This has all the makings of a new voyeuristic television program called THE BATTLING BISHOPS. Since the clarification released from SOLT, I notice now that Bishop Gracida seems to have shifted somewhat from supporting Fr. Corapi to attacking SOLT for allowing the situation to develop in the first place. However, it seems to me that the stage was set by those who initially allowed Fr. Corapi to set up his independent operations. In other words, there is blame enough to go around. It is troubling that Bishop Gracida took a public stand against a man’s lawful superiors even though he admits that he has not talked with the priest for years! Now Fr. Corapi is telling his fans on Twitter to look forward to an important announcement on Thursday. Enough already! I discern a manipulation of good men behind all these tensions that is due to evil human machination and/or to the intrusion of something devilish.
Phil Lawler at CATHOLIC CULTURE succinctly tells it as it is:
Like the late Father Marcial Maciel, the disgraced founder of the Legion of Christ, John Corapi has worked for years as a celebrity priest: encouraging a cult of personality, setting his own agenda, raising large sums of money that he spent at his own discretion, and—most dangerous of all—accountable to no one. It was a formula for disaster, and now the disaster has occurred. Again.
I would beg people to separate the truths Father taught from the possible failings of the messenger. All are tempted, but the devil delights in targeting priests; while he could not seduce the high priest Christ, he often settles for corrupting those men who participate in his priesthood. Pray for priests, pray for Father Corapi and pray for “the little ones” who might despair of their faith.
I am done with this topic, but will give Father Corapi the last word:
FINANCES…”From the earliest days (more than twenty years ago) the Founder of the Society of Our Lady, Fr. James Flanagan, encouraged me to support myself and the Church as well.”
IMPROPRIETY…”I have never had any promiscuous or even inappropriate relations with her.”
INVESTIGATION…”As standard practice, my legal counsel advised me not to cooperate with the investigation until I was able to determine that the Commission’s process was fair and I had adequate rights to defend myself.”
HUSH MONEY…”I never paid anybody off to remain silent.”
RESIGNATION…”I resigned because the process used by the Church is grossly unjust, and, hence, immoral. I resigned because I had no chance from the beginning of a fair and just hearing. As I have indicated from the beginning of all this, I am not extinguished!”
CLICK HEREÂ to read the SOLT press release.
CLICK HEREÂ to read my post on this matter last month.
A good friend feels that this topic and the argumentation associated with it is not good for me. It is true that I find it very upsetting. I love the priesthood and the Church. I get defensive when they are threatened. I also worry deeply about the good of souls. It is true too that the plight of a brother priest is always felt very personally. Many of the comments, moderated and mostly not posted, are unreasoning and angry. So I am going to end it here. Orignally I posted a video here that gave Father Corapi the last word, albeit with an advertisement tagged to it. However, he has liquidated his business and removed all signs of his web presence. He is gone from sight, but maybe not from our minds and hearts. Keep him and the people he impacted in prayer.
Filed under: Catholic, Church, Corapi, Discipleship, Evangelization, Faith, Forgiveness, Morality, News, Priests, Religion, Repentance, Sacraments, Sexuality, Uncategorized |
Blogger Priest 
It’s been almost nine years since Corapi resigned, and no new news. Nothing about a formal laicization, nothing about the lawsuit he filed against the woman who exposed him (although he claimed he forgave her), and no biography from him that he claimed was in the works when he announced his resignation. There are numerous clips of his past speeches on Youtube, with comments from people praising him, or pleading for him to come back. The fact that he has ignored pleas from his fans all these years ought to give them second thoughts about his character. Corapi used his booming voice to mesmerize and manipulate quite a few people. I suppose it is comforting to some of them to believe a corrupt cabal chased him out of the Church. Now some of them have left too, or claim the Church left them. Sad all around. God bless.
Dear Fr. Jenkins,
I am sad to have read your comments about Fr. Corapi. Where Corapi’s quotes are respectful and poignant, your replies immediately below are sarcastic and unholy. You appear to have judged the man’s responses and intentions behind them – something only Fr. Corapi can hold in his heart with Our Blessed Lord. Did you ever speak in Christian charity with Fr. Corapi before lambasting him on the web? Is this not a violation of the 8th Commandment on your part? Calumnizing your brother priest, and detracting from his good reputation? How many converts to the faith – I mean REAL converts – can you claim? Nowhere have I heard the faith expressed so boldly; so succinctly; so precisely in a way to answer the deepest questions I have struggled with in my own spiritual life. I am sad to have to write this, Father, but who appointed you to ‘watch over’ Father’s disciples? Million dollar ‘business’? Really, Father? Does money ring louder than all the souls saved in your eyes? May God forgive you for affecting countless on the web with your own unqualified opinions.
In all your commentary, you never once indicate by what means Corapi has or should have available to him in order to defend himself completely against the charges. By the way, how do you place an “expensive motorboat” on a body of water that bans even a small outboard?
Fr Joe, You liberals have been the tools of satan for years and I believe you qand others like you are going to have a ver rude awakening when you stand in front of Our Lord. Fr. Corapi is a decent and holy man of God who has helped millions overcome the temptations of satan through his teachings. Who have you saved for the Kingdom of God.
Mr. Corapi was a con man from the beginning, conning even his own mother. Is he actually a priest? I require documented evidence before I believe this. This man was fortunate not to be beaten to a pulp by the real Green Berets. But they have a lot more class than he.
His alleged religious order gave him permission to form a for profit corporation. They need to be thoroughly investigated, including by secular authorities.
Yet, I don’t blame him. I saw this man in a local parish in 2001. What I saw was catholic women flocking around him as groupies do with a rock star. It was apparent to me at the time that there was a problem, and you know what? The flesh really is weak.
Why are you blogging Father?
Blogging is very pop culture.
The Catholic Church does not belong in the pop culture world.
Dear Father Joe:
I wasn’t surprised about Father Corapi’s fall from grace.
Having been in the seminary, I had the opportunity to meet and interact with many priests and bishops. Many of them were fine, albeit human, men who did their best to minister to their flock. A couple of them are friends of mine and they are the “real deal.”
Sad to say, I met plenty of other priests who were not fit to be in public ministry. Some of them sexually preyed on young men (ages 14-22) who were considering a vocation to the priesthood. One bishop I knew was famous for this. And while the sexual abuse crisis is in the forefront of the media’s examination on the Roman Catholic priesthood, their were plenty of non-sexual offenses that I saw priests commit – embezzlement, shop lifting, gambling, heroin and cocaine abuse, racism, misogynistic comments to female laity and religious, violent behavior and suicides, both attempted and completed. After I left the seminary, I was in the mental health profession for ten years and saw many such priests while they were inpatient in psychiatric hospitals; so my observations are not the fruit of some post-seminary angst. It happens and I saw it, both in the seminary and out.
I believe the priesthood is a wonderful calling. And while I think celibacy is a “jewel,” I sometimes think it is a burden and forces many good men from considering priestly ministry. And that’s a problem since there’s such a shortage of priests.
In my experience I’ve noticed that the priesthood attracts many damaged and broken men. The root of their brokenness often stems from childhood, and that’s not their fault. (I’ve always been amazed at how many priests and seminarians suffered from the loss of their mothers either though death, divorce or mental illness.) Having been raised in chaotic environments, whatever the reason, makes the security and order of religious life very attractive. It can also be a place to hide, from their issues and themselves.
Many such priests seek and receive treatment and end up having fulfilling lives as priests. Yet many do not. And when they enter active ministry, dealing with the stresses of loneliness, struggling parishes, high expectations and always “being on” they start to act out. Some steal and buy shore homes, (Why are these so popular?) or condos well outside their dioceses. Other drink (common and fixable). And still others seek to soothe their anxieties by engaging in sexual behaviors that at best violate their vows and at worst violate civil law.
The Church has a duty to identify such men in the formation stage and root them out. Psychological testing and interviews by independent third party clinicians would be a good first step. (I was interviewed by a priest psychologist and his findings were biased by his being a priest.) The Church should also seriously think about not letting men enter the seminary until they are much older. I’d say thirty. By that time, most psychological issues, many of which get contained or hidden in the formation process, would burst out into the open and applicants would be unable to lie about them because they’d have criminal histories, psychiatric commitments or would just obviously appear bent.
A serious look at married men in the priesthood should be undertaken as well. While there will always be room for genuine men willing to embrace the gift of celibacy, let’s face it, God’s not handing that gift out to a lot of people. Married men are in relationships the Church advocates and celebrates, understand the stresses of their parishioners. But marriage itself would help screen out unfit applicants as well. If a man is having tremendous systemic problems
in his marriage due to personality disorders or mental illness, that will be obvious in the application process. (Wives are a powerful source of information.) And while human sexuality is twisted and commercialized to the nth degree in modern culture, that’s not the primary reason men don’t want to be priests. They don’t want to be priests because they see the system as broken and that engaging in that career might be a recipe for disaster. I studied with a fine man who transferred into seminary from Bucknell. He stayed exactly a month. The reason he gave was that he couldn’t stand the “gay subculture” in the church.
Now I don’t have a problem with people being gay. That’s at odds with Church teaching I know. Having seen many gay people in loving and committed relationships (even raising fine children), I cannot believe in good (and quite informed) conscience that these people are intrinsically disordered. But the Church does have it’s doctrines and, if you want to get into the game, you have to abide by it’s rules. I think gay celibate men make wonderful contributions to the priesthood. But there is a segment of the gay population in ministry that is sexually active. I’ve seen too many “close friendships” and “lavender rectories to delude myself that such things don’t happen. I think it’s in the Church’s best interests to say to such people, “This life is not for you.” But that subculture is not the only reason men avoid the priesthood. Many of them have seen priests with the issue’s I mentioned above crack up. Is it fair that a bad apple should spoil the bunch? No. But that’s reality.
Father Corapi is another example of a psychologically broken individual who was let into the priesthood. The warning signs, however, were already there. His previous drug abuse should have been a major red flag. Yes, people beat drugs and that’s great, but most drug users are self-medicating themselves to cope with other, much larger, issues. Was he ever in treatment? And once Father Corapi got a taste of power, money and celebrity, he cracked. Having been down the celebrity path myself, I can tell you that only a person with a mature psychological makeup can survive it. I knew it was temporary and that I’d go back to my normal life, so I had a blast. And I’m no saint! Far from it. But it’s not unusual for high profile people to be mentally ill and have issues with substance abuse. If they weren’t that way to begin with, the lens of the camera and the echo chamber of syncopation can induce it.
I am no longer a Roman Catholic. In large part because I don’t believe what it teaches regarding human sexuality, political life, contraception and was quickly turned off by what I see as it’s rigidity regarding academic freedom and investigation. But the culture of clerical secrecy was also a component. A priest I knew once has a dalliance with a married woman. He broke it off and recommitted himself to his vocation. But many of his brethren knew about it. So, when he came forward to complain about a sexual predator in the ranks, he was told his owns transgressions would be exposed if he did. And since this priest had no marketable skills, he didn’t leave the priesthood and the abuser kept on abusing until he was exposed by other means. That is insane!
I will always have the utmost respect for the good and healthy priests who work in the trenches. I couldn’t be one of them. If I can’t play by the Church’s rules, I shouldn’t be in the Church either. I’d like to be, but I can’t. But I am sad that such scandals rock their ranks today.
The problems with the priesthood are deep and systemic. A major overhaul is needed before the Church loses more and more of its faithful. John Paul once said (I’m paraphrasing here) that he’d hew to in Church doctrine even if it meant he’d be the only Catholic left.
The scary thing is that could actually happen.
Best and respectful wishes.
Steve
NORMA: Three months ago, no priest ran Fr. Corapi down.
NORMA: Now he is a Judas–a priest headed toward Martin Luther.
NORMA: Priests. Bishops, etc are obviously sinners or I would never see the comments of destruction against Fr. Corapi that I am witnessing.
NORMA: I have lost respect for the the priests, bishops, bloggers. so-called catholic media reporters, ewtn, solt etc. You are no example to me.
NORMA: The history of the catholic church proves that “men” have sinned greviously against the sheep.
NORMA: Fr. Corapi has been taken out of context. I’ve read and listened to what he said. I’ve seen the medias interpertation. Need I say more.
NORMA: Where were you and solt months or years ago.
NORMA: Did you keep your jealously in reign until an opportunity presented itself through this woman?
NORMA: I understand poverty, chastity and obedience. Do you?
NORMA: Look to your own soul and stop trying to influence us unless you are preaching Christ’s word.
NORMA: Fr. Corapi preached the truth and was humble enough to expose his sins.
NORMA: He is one of us–just like you are– the difference is that you don’t know it.
“The only thing constant in this life is change.” Actually, the true constant is God, and he is also very much a part of this life, too. Our Lord is the anchor.
“I want to continue to make the best of the talents that God has given me.” His greatest talent or power was his priesthood and the ability to offer the sacrifice of Calvary and to give absolution for sins. All his writing and talking pales in comparison to that great reality.
He constantly speaks of “We” but what he means is “himself.” He is his media company.
“Remember, you follow Jesus Christ and his Church, you don’t follow me.” He mentions “Church” several times but never denotes it as THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. This is a change from his past style. Another departure is his failure to mention the role of the Blessed Mother in his life. Maybe his Catholicism is too sectarian for his new and wider audience?
Finally, his site has attached the required sales pitch, but now with urgency: “…the entire inventory of Fr. John Corapi material will be sold only until 5:00 PM Eastern time, July 25th, 2011.” After that, you will be forever out of luck! In other words, buy up before it is too late! “Everything in the inventory will be marked down 50%.”
Lisa–
You are not condemning SOLT alone but the juridical structure of the Catholic Church. You talk about Father Corapi like he were a layman. The rules are different for priests. It is unfortunate that the nature of the charges have been publicized. Many of us had hoped that it would never come to this. Three months was hardly any time at all in such an investigation. The press release shows that the investigative process was not going well for the priest. Justice can only be served by honesty and openness. Paying a woman $100,000 to keep her mouth closed is hardly that. Now that he has sued her for writing the bishop, does that mean that he can demand his money back in damages? This business is very sordid.
Father Corapi was a good preacher, although his harsh style did not appeal to me. He has not been canonized a saint of the Church and I doubt he ever will be… at least not if he keeps moving in the current direction. As far as I can tell, Father Corapi has ditched the canon lawyer. He has no interest in returning to priestly ministry. What he does have is a local civil law firm. He will punish those who opposed him.
He is feverishly pitching all his products in a LAST CHANCE CLEARANCE SALE! Instead of being apologetic or contrite, he is trying to grab as much of the bucks as possible before the last of his fans catch on. You will never see him on EWTN or on radio or in any Church sponsored event ever again. You should take your life’s savings and buy up all you can. This may be your last chance. If you have his books or DVDs or CDs, then you can get your Father Corapi fix whenever you want! Who knows, he may be trading in the religion gig for something else really soon. Hurry, before it is too late!
So you are saying that the person who made the allegations is a liar.
You are saying that the other witnesses are liars.
You are saying that email and file information is a deception.
You are saying that Bishop of Corpus Christi is out to get him.
You are saying that the SOLT superior is a liar and out to destroy his brother priest.
Am I right? Is this what you are saying? And, given that the bishop and his superior are good and orthodox men, why would they do this?
Bishop George Leo Thomas of Helena, Mont., the diocese in which Father Corapi lives, told CNS July 5 that he met with the priest only once, about five years ago, to discuss his work.
“I told him I do not allow freelancing,” Bishop Thomas said. “I want any ministry to go through my office. He never did that.
“He had a very low profile (in the diocese),” the bishop added. “To this day very little is known about him.”
Thanks for that post which is very deep and helped me a lot. Why though do you expect obedience to superiors in someone whose moral life has succumbed to evil? IF he has fallen into his old addictions he is in their control and unless he gets up and fights them, every other moral truth of his life will go too – including obedience to his legitimate superiors – Satan wants him to feel they are against him. Remember that no matter how agressively he responds to this, if it is as SOLT says, Fr Corapi will currently be in the depths of despair, at least somewhere down in a little crack in his heart where the Truth still reigns.
Could we call Fr. Corapi “Judas” or would that be judgmental?
“Surrender is not an option” Father Corapi knows he is innocent. Father Corapi has been betrayed by SOLT. I don’t care how much evidence they say they have against Father Corapi. Father knows he has been framed. Everyone is innocent until PROVEN GUILTY. SOLT wrote this SWEET (lying) letter to us saying that Father was not guilty according to them (a few men) and when all along they believed Father was guilty. Why????
Father Corapi was not going to lie Under the Bus and die. He got out from under that bus to have a fair trial—which he wasn’t getting. He has every right to get out of an abusive order and away from a superior that has given up on him with out any fair trial (AND PUBLICLY ALL OF A SUDDEN ADMITS IT). Many saints left there orders and were still with the Church. SOLT is basically trying to throw Father back under the bus. Father has a canon lawyer helping him. Father is still a priest and working with the Church AS BEST AS HE CAN. Those three men are not the entire Church (and Father has told us he will never leave the Church-his bride who is perfect like Jesus-and who has the mind of Jesus. We are to be obedient to the Magisterium and the Church teachings. Father has a right to do what he is doing to get a FAIR TRIAL. Surrender is not an option. You know that if your family (or superior) believed some false allegations against you that you would go to someone else in the Church for help . The only people that lied to us was SOLT who said that they were working with Father Corapi and would do everything to get him a fair trial, when truthfully as they have PUBLICLY stated they believe Father Corapi is guilty. Would you choose a lawyer to give you a fair trial who had already believed you were guilty. WOW!!! You would have to be pretty messed up.
Father Corapi is innocent until PROVEN GUILTY. SOLT (a few men) ARE GRAVELY ABUSING THEIR AUTHORITY!!!!!!!!!! WE DO NOT HAVE TO BE OBEDIENT TO GRAVE ABUSES—-SURRENDER IS NOT AN OPTION!!!!!!
Father Corapi, has told the truth and the truth is light. SOLT HAS LIED BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS THEIR OWN STATEMENTS DON’T MATCH UP.
God love you
Lisa
Rudy: Corapi was Euteneuer’s spiritual director, told him to burn the diary written by E’s accuser. http://tinyurl.com/3znafnl
“[O]r to the intrusion of something devilish”. It is curious that Father Corapi wrote an introduction to a book on exorcism by Father Euteneuer, also tainted by scandal. Seems that indeed something unholy is lurking behind all of this.
Can there really be any surprise about Thursday? Corapi has made a bundle on selling himself. The truths he teaches come straight out of any old Catholic primer. He spices it up with militant themes and his deep manly voice, but in the end it was the messenger he was promoting, not the message. That is why his reputation is so important. He sued the girl who exposed him to the bishop and his superiors. She never went public or to the press. He threatened her and the other witnesses, not for going public, but for talking to the bishop. He was the one who tried to force the Church’s hand, thinking no doubt that the fear of scandal would further silence them. All along his real fight was with the bishop of Corpus Christi and his religious community. I suspect that he will now raise the stakes a notch. You can bet your bottom dollar that he will charge the whole boat load of them with harming his name and reputation. Wait and you will see that I am right. He is going to take them all to court. He has been lucky before and sometimes lightning does strike twice. What are the assets of Corpus Christi and SOLT? The next stage will be an ultimatum, “Retract all that you have said about me or I will be forced to litigate!” I wonder if Court TV will carry the case? Who do you think will be the more impressive speaker, Corapi or Fr. Sheehan? The SOLT announcement was a serious miscalculation. It will cost them dearly.
Fr. Joe,
My initial thoughts about SOLT were along the lines of yours, and I really hope they’re doing some serious soul searching. But if, and it’s a big if, he’s telling the truth about his relationship with the SOLT founder, it may have presented unique challenges in dealing with him. If Fr.(?) Corapi is telling the truth, Fr. Flanagan filled his head with all sorts of flattery about how immense his preaching talent was, how special his ministry was going to be, and then sent him off to do his own thing his own way. If this is true, it was a real disservice to a recently converted addict.
He’s twittering his “fans” to expect a big announcement on Thursday. Not a good sign. This is incredibly sad.
As he always requested, pray for him that he may not be found dead in a crack house.
[…] people may want to prepare for perhaps more revelations, and pray for holiness in our present day. “God may not be finished with him yet” is the hopeful message from Fr. Joseph Jenkins.And Elizabeth Scalia concludes, “The author of […]
[…] Gerard Nadal Jimmy Akin Frank Weathers Fr. Dwight Longenecker (breaking) Creative Minority Report Blogger Priest Scott DodgePosted in Uncategorized | Tagged Anxiety, Catholic, Corapi, Human Dignity, Jesus Christ, […]
Dear Fr Joe,
It seems to me that, yet again, those thrusted with the care and disclipine of the Church have failed to do what was necessary to protect the frailities of the faithful from the wolves that hide within.
For too many years the sexual abusers have hidden within the Church whilst inertia, inaction and iheffective control have allowed terrible damage to be done.
And yet again, those same qualities have allowed a truely awful state of affairs where a man, possibly a priest, has become a Judas. Jesus allowed the real Judas Iscarriot to act out his betrayal to fulfill scripture, and the man then hanged himself. Why did not the trusted servants of Mother Church simply make a whip and drive this terrible man out. It seems to me that he was simply allowed to walk away, with justification for his actions and a trail of broken hearts and promises and a mass of confusion.
Just when will the leaders of The Catholic Church finally show the courage and determination to drive the corruption from within before more and more damage is done?
With distant interest,
Paul