Someone Corapi'd on His Parade

When I provided the link to Orthometer below, I hope someone didn't think my epithet was aimed at the Orthometer.  On the contrary, it was meant for John Corapi.  Nope, not going to call him Father, even though he is still an ordained man.  And I am certainly not going to call him by his self-proclaimed, silly ass blogonym of "Black Sheepdog."

But while walking this morning, I thought about Fr. Erik's take on the matter and some of the priests I know back in the Diocese of Orange, in Southern California.  First, perhaps some readers do not know that not all priests take a vow of poverty.  Regular diocesan priests, that is, those men who belong (incardinated) to a diocese take the vows of chastity and obedience to the Bishop of the diocese, but not poverty.  By the way, please note that the vow is one of chastity, and not just celibacy.  That is important to note in John Corapi's case.

By contrast, priests who belong to certain orders - Franciscans, Jesuits, Trappists, etc. - take the additional vow of poverty.  Property is held communally by the order.  Corapi belonged to the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), which does require a vow of poverty of its members.

So, what has investigation by SOLT learned? 

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.

You can read the rest of SOLT's press release to hear about how Corapi seems to have paid good money for the silence of witnesses, which immediately qualifies him as a Biggus Dickus in my world. 

But I want to say something about regular, old, run-of-the-mill diocesan priests.  Fr. Erik is right when he said it could happen to him - that is, succumbing to temptation.  And I am not talking about having a sexual affair, although that could happen (ordination does not suck testosterone from a priest's body).  Rather, I think priests need to be careful of the creeping sin of pride, which may compromise their vocation and responsibilities as God's sheherds.

I heard stories that two priests in the Diocese of Orange, Fr. Christopher Smith and Msgr. Art Holquin, both own property that was bought for them by parishioners.  Now, Fr. Smith was my pastor for many years and I found him to be a good man, and I do not know of the veracity of this (although it has been told to me independently by several sources).  

But let's say it is true.  Is it right?  In law, judges must be very careful to avoid any appearance, even if only that, of impropriety.  Thus, a small gift of, say, Christmas cookies for the courtroom staff from an attorney is discouraged - and usually rejected - for fear that someone else may say, "Oh sure, Judge So-and-So is biased towards Attorney Whatshisname because that lawyer gave his staff cookies."

As a Catholic, how would you feel about a priest receiving significant gifts (never mind the tax consequences - who paid that)?  Sure, it is not as if he will give that person a less severe Penance than you, or he might . . . but I think what bothers me is the opportunity it allows for that priest to think, even if subconciously, "Wow, what a great priest I am, because I got me the ocean-front condo, courtesy of the old Widow Jones!"  And that could lead to that priest perhaps thinking himself above his fellow priests.  Look, internal diocesan affairs are political in nature.  As I have said before, the Church is an infallible institution governed by fallible individuals.  So imagine if you are the priest expressing notions that run contrary to the Bishop's, or the Vicar of Priests', or the personnel board member's own, even if they have nothing to do with the Church.  Think it might effect that next assignment?  Think it might sway opinion if your poor parish needs a loan?  Yeah, I bet it would.

This is not to say that priests need to be isolated from society or cannot engage with the laity.  C'mon, Fr. Jerome Karcher has no worries regarding his retirement given his father's work, I'll bet, but I don't expect him to give all his money away.  Fr. John Moneypenny has been the recipient of my largesse through homemade meals and a good gin-and-tonic, but that pleased more his stomach than his ego. 

I think the lesson to be learned from Corapi, and so well put by Fr. Erik, is that sin like this starts out small and builds.  And that is why priests need to be on guard, because it is a tough vocation.  So tough that after awhile, Satan could lead a priest to think, "I work so hard, I deserve this perk . . ." and what maybe started out as a nice bottle of single malt at Christmas from a grateful (or fawning) parishioner turns into "over $1 million in real estate, numerous luxury vehicles, motorcycles, an ATV, a boat dock, and several motor boats."

With an ego to match the price tag.

That Serpent, he's a subtle one.  You know the next thing he hisses is, "Don't worry, you can get away with thisssss . . ."

And I still think Corapi is a dumb fuck.  All the more reason to pray for him and all priests.