Spirtual Fidelity & Father Corapi

The other day I wrote an open letter to Father Corapi, which prompted some interesting feedback.  I thought it might be interesting to share an example of some of the strange and incoherent responses my blog has elicited.


"do you recall the gospel, when our lord asked god, 2 take this cup from him, and then he said your will not mine, fr.corapi, is obeying the will of god !!!!!! do you also recall,when our lord said, father forgive them for they know not what they do !!! fr.corapi is doing the same. a lamb 2 the slaughter !!!! and if it was not for ewtn,i would have never heard or seen father."


There's obviously a lot of confusion in this person's mind.  Sometimes in situations like this, the best approach is to simplify or distill the central elements of the discussion in such a way that perhaps it will help readers see it in a new light.  That being the case, let's explore a hypothetical scenario, for example.


Let's say that a married friend comes to you for advice.  He admits that he's been unfaithful with a woman (or women), and he doesn't know what to do.  After speaking with him for a few minutes, you decide to share a piece of your mind.  As a Catholic, you point out the imperative need for him to repent and confess--both to his wife and his priest.  You remind him of the sacred nature of marriage, and that, as one of the Seven Sacraments, the husband and wife are bound to each other for life.


Like the unfaithful husband, the priest who turns his back upon his solemn promise before God and man in the sacrament of holy orders places his soul in peril.  The priest is being unfaithful to his Church and God.


As Al Kresta pointed out in his insightful blog today, excusing a wayward priest by suggesting he's particularly gifted is akin to saying that the Church was holding the man back.  To declare that the man is more important than the Church, however,  is to embark on a pathway heading straight to the morass of moral relativism.  No priest is above the Church just as surely as no husband can disregard his marriage vows as he wishes.  It's time for some obedience and humility here.


Sadly, I'm seeing many otherwise good people contort themselves every which way as they try to excuse or rationalize Father (for how much longer?) Corapi.  The alleged offenses now pale in comparison with the destructive aftermath unleashed by this black sheepdog, as he calls himself.


I pray for Father Corapi, but, at this point, I believe there's an even greater need to pray for those who are being led astray by his words.  One thing seems to be sure, he's not the man we thought he was.


Readers, I'll see you again in a couple weeks, or so.  God bless.