SOLT News: Press Release Concerning Fr John Corapi from SOLT ...

My RESPONSE to the 'press release' below is that I find this to be unacceptable from a religious order and certainly points more toward the truth of Fr. Corapi's statements alledging that he could not get a fair review and ability to defend himself--- Without even going through with the factfinding mission, this press release based on findings from a committee of 3 seems to me to be tantamount to SLANDER and A VENGEFUL, ANGRY RESPONSE which seems to have more to do with the Society's attitude toward Fr. Corapi than it is about protecting the faithful . It is also shows a toal disregard for the welfare of Fr Corapi and a total disregard or concern about the spiritual welfare of Fr. Corapi or the state of his soul. I am extremely disappointed in such a vengeful , judgemental statement/ I tended to support the Society's position until THIS HORRIBLE , JUDGEMENTAL, STONE THROWING, PRESS RELEASE. How DARE YOU make such a public statement regardless of the truth or falseness of such claims?!? Even in his emotional stress , Fr Corapi has not made such uncharitable statements about SOLT and in my opinion, this laundry, whether dirty or clean, does not belong as the subject for public press releases! You should be ashamed! You ahould not be allowed to be a spokesperson for the Society! My God! I am shocked at such a press release and a public statement from a religious order... It sounds more like the nasty attitude and dirty mouth of a junior high school bully than than a press release of a religious order!







SOLT News: Press Release Concerning Fr John Corapi from SOLT ...: "July 5, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE From: Rev. Gerard Sheehan, SOLT Regional Priest Servant Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Ro..."

Tuesday, July 5, 2011Press Release Concerning Fr John Corapi from SOLT Regional Priest Servant
July 5, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From: Rev. Gerard Sheehan, SOLT Regional Priest Servant Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Robstown, Texas

Fr. John A. Corapi submitted his resignation from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity ("SOLT") early in June. SOLT is a Society of Apostolic Life of Diocesan Right with its regional office in Robstown, Texas.

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.

A woman, well known to Fr. John Corapi, mailed SOLT a signed letter detailing allegations of Fr. Corapi's sexual activity with adult women, abuse of alcohol and drugs, improper sacramental practices, violation of his promise of poverty, and other wrongdoing.

After receiving the allegation, SOLT formed a three person fact-finding team to ensure that it handled this matter in accordance with canonical norms. The team included a priest-canonist, a psychiatrist, and a lawyer. Two were members of religious orders, and one was a lay Catholic. Two were men, and one was a woman. All three have national reputations and substantial experience in ecclesiastical processes related to priest disciplinary issues.

As the Society was engaging this team, Fr. Corapi filed a civil lawsuit against his principal accuser. He contended that she had defamed him and breached her contract. The contract, according to Corapi's lawsuit, contained a provision binding the woman to silence about him. He offered the woman $100,000 to enter this agreement.

SOLT's fact-finding team subsequently learned that Fr. Corapi may have negotiated contracts with other key witnesses that precluded them from speaking with SOLT's fact-finding team. Many of these witnesses likely had key information about the accusations being investigated and declined to answer questions and provide documents.

When the fact-finding team asked Fr. Corapi to dismiss the lawsuit, to forbear from foreclosing his mortgage, and to release her and other individuals from their contractual obligations to remain silent about him, he refused to do so and, through his canonical advocate, stated: "It is not possible for Father Corapi to answer the Commission's questions at this time."

SOLT's fact-finding team has acquired information from Fr. Corapi's e-mails, various witnesses, and public sources that, together, state that, during his years of public ministry:

He did have sexual relations and years of cohabitation (in California and Montana) with a woman known to him, when the relationship began, as a prostitute; He repeatedly abused alcohol and drugs; He has recently engaged in sexting activity with one or more women in Montana; He holds legal title to over $1 million in real estate, numerous luxury vehicles, motorcycles, an ATV, a boat dock, and several motor boats, which is a serious violation of his promise of poverty as a perpetually professed member of the Society.

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.

SOLT's prior direction to Fr. John Corapi not to engage in any preaching or teaching, the celebration of the sacraments or other public ministry continues. Catholics should understand that SOLT does not consider Fr. John Corapi as fit for ministry.

Father Sheehan will not be available for comments as he is attending the SOLT General Chapter from July 5-23.

Posted by SOLT Webmaster at 1:58 PM

My RESPONSE to this is that I find this to be unacceptable from a religious order and certainly points more toward the truth of Gr. Corapi's statements alledging that he could not get a fair review and ability to defend himself--- Without even going through with the factfinding mission, this press release absed on findings from a comittee of 3 seems to me to be tantamount to SLANDER and A VENGEFUL ANGRY RESPONSE that seems to be more about the Society's attitude toward Fr. Corapi than it is about protecting the faithful or concern about Fr. Corapi. I am extremely disappointed in such a vengeful , judgemental statement/ I tended to support the Society's position until THIS HORRIBLE , JUDGEMENTAL, STONE THROWING, PRESS RELEASE. How DARE YOU make such a public statement regardless of the truth or falseness of such claims....Even in his emotional stress , Fr Corapi has not made such uncharitable statements about SOLT and in my opinion, this laundry, whether dirty or clean, does not belong as the subject for public press releases! You should be ashamed and not allowed to be a spokesperson for the Society! My God! I am shocked at such a press release and a public statement from a religious order... It sounds more like the nasty attitude and dirty mouth of a junior high school bully than than a press release of a religious order!