I just heard a mate of mine say, in relation to Fr Corapi's statement, "oh how the mighty have fallen". Upon my enquiring about the source of the comments, she said that at the apogee of Fr Corapi's 'fame' she [my friend] recalled his visit to London. In this visit she recalled the amount of female attention Fr Corapi recieved and seemed to encourage (even private conversations for the persistent).

I am NOT vouching for the veracity of this 'hear-say', but it just goes to show us all that fame and the spotlight are dangerous things for men of God whose weaknesses lie therein! Yet another casualty of our dire times? Perhaps. But, on the other hand, Archbishop Fulton Sheen did rather well in the USA and Cardinal Hume here in the UK, with the whole television scene. Was their boyhood and priestly formation more intense? Were these two men more prepared spiritually and academically for the temptations and pressures? Hummmm.....

Blackchalice

I actually do remember a few more details of that Friday some years back. It was a pro-life conference & luncheon that Bishop Gracida kindly attended. As you have pointed out, the Bishops' Conference has lifted the absolute Friday prohibition against eating meat (by substituting other forms of penance). Nevertheless, many pro-lifers still abstain from meat on Friday regardless.

The Bishop is a very strong pro-life Catholic as were all in attendance on that Friday. Many were obviously not aware of this little "trait" of pro-lifers although I was and, of course, so was Bishop Gracida.

Incidentally, changes may be coming.

Bishops in Britain call on Catholics to abstain year-round, not only during Lent.

online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405270…

Can. 1251 "Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday."

I'm no canon lawyer but to me Canon 1251 is crystal clear.

However, Can. 1253 states "The conference of bishops can determine more precisely the observance of fast and abstinence as well as substitute other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety, in whole or in part, for abstinence and fast."

To me Canon 1253 is muddier.

cannoli.

Abramo writes:

The problem with putting up with the injustices of the bishops is, that this encourages - especially in our days - more injustices.
------------------------------------------------------------

Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi, Rene Gracida, comments on injustice suffered by accused priests from bishops and religious superiors.

The procedure operates something like this. A person accuses a priest of sexual misconduct (again, not involving a minor). The priest is immediately suspended from active exercise of his priestly ministry while an investigation is launched into the truth or falsity of the accusations.

fratres.wordpress.com/…/fr-corapi-solt-…

~~aside-- Several years ago, this insignificant Cannoli had the distinct privilige and honor of having lunch -- side by side -- with Bishop Gracida. My only memory of the day was that it was on a Friday and we were at a restaurant known for it's great BBQ ribs. His Excellency ordered fish despite the fact that Catholics are now permitted to enjoy meat on Fridays. The majority of Catholics at this event, including those at our table, ordered the ribs. In case you're wondering, the insignificant Cannoli also ordered fish.

This is very troubling. I am uneasy with Fr. Corapi's transformation or should I say re-branding (starting with his appearance). Dare I say it, it's almost as if something sinister was taking place or he's gone off the deep end. I hope I'm wrong. I generally agree with Holy Cannoli and I believe father should have sat this one out.

Let us remember that the gift that he had was for the benefit of the listeners not because of his own merit and he admitted that much in the past. IMHO, "do as I say, not as I do" rings very true in this case and Father C. needs our prayers.

Most unfortunate indeed. I rather think that His Grace, Archbishop Fulton Sheen is an excellent template for any public figure such as Fr Corapi. Pity Fr Corapi did not take His Grace's example to heart and guard his heart against his weaknesses..... But, we will not judge him, he is left unto God. Let us all keep praying for Fr Corapi.

Thanks Holy Cannoli for uploading this audio.

I know very, very little about Fr Corapi, but I am afraid that what he says about how he was treated, is true. The problem with putting up with the injustices of the bishops is, that this encourages - especially in our days - more injustices.

Now, it's up to the bishop of Corpus Christi to lay his cards on the table. Otherwise, the blood of Fr Corapi will fall upon his head.

I am as solder in the Army of God and I will never desert a fallen comrade. I will never give up and I will never surrender. Fr. John Corapi. (aka: The Black Sheep Dog)



Once again, pay less attention to what they say and more attention to what they do.www.theblacksheepdog.us

A related story about another priest/ Rock Star.
www.dailymail.co.uk/…/Father-Thomas-E…

www.lifesitenews.com/news/statement-of-fr…

Father Corapi (aka:"Black Sheep Dog") had his groupies here on Gloria.tv and elsewhere. Making a rock star out of a priest, a bishop, a cardinal, a pope (or televangelist or any religious figure) is a sin. It’s called idolatry. Some need to look inside themselves.

As for Father Corapi (aka:"Black Sheep Dog"), he too is responsible. He was called to be a priest not a rock star. He should have re-directed the spotlights elsewhere, instead of soaking up the light.

The lesson will be lost, and the next priest/rock star will not fail to disappoint and we never seem to learn.

What is funny is that many who idolize their own religious figures, point fingers at others who do the same thing. Don’t get caught laughing at the Benny Hinns and Jimmy Swaggarts and then swoon at the Father Corapis. Idolatry is idolatry.

I'm bothered by the fact that Fr. Corapi has made this announcement on his own, without any word from his superiors.

Has he been done an injustice? Quite possibly. However, the saints were likewise persecuted and calumniated, often by the church hierarchy itself, yet they bore these trials with patience and humility. I'm thinking of St. Padre Pio's suspension, for instance, for a period of...was it three years, or so? He could have yelled...."I've got the stigmata, you idiots. You can't do this to me!"....but he didn't. He simply prayed and waited. St. Padre Pio, even when suspended, didn't leave the priesthood. He didn't write an autobiography. He didn't create a cheesy nickname for himself (Black Sheep Dog). He suffered. He endured. He was exonerated. He's now a saint.

As for Fr. Corapi (aka:"Black Sheep Dog"), it's not at all clear to me what has happened here. It sounds like he's saying....."I could be suspended and in limbo for a very long time.....therefore, I'm quitting in order to continue my speaking ministry." I may be wrong in that analysis but, if it's true, he's making a very, very big mistake.