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	The Corapi Case: What Was Said, and What Wasn't Updated By Deacon Greg Kandra Deacon's Bench July 8, 2011 http://www.patheos.com/community/deaconsbench/2011/07/08/the-corapi-case-what-was-said-and-what-wasnt/ There's been a lot of back-and-forth over the last several hours about John Corapi's response yesterday to the SOLT statement of 5 July, summarizing the order's findings and directing him, under obedience, to return to the order and live in community. It might be useful for all who are interested to see what exactly was said — and what wasn't. Below is a brief summary, based purely on what is contained in the SOLT press release and in John Corapi's response. What the SOLT said: 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; What Corapi said: I have never had any promiscuous or even inappropriate relations with her. Never. N.B. He does not make clear who the "her" is, and does not directly address the issue of cohabitation. The phrasing "promiscuous or even inappropriate" is sufficiently vague as to be open to interpretation. What the SOLT said: He repeatedly abused alcohol and drugs. What Corapi said: Nothing. What the SOLT said: He has recently engaged in sexting activity with one or more women in Montana… What Corapi said: Nothing. What the SOLT said: 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. What Corapi said: At every step of the way, through the entire past twenty years, the Society of Our Lady's leadership knew of my financial independence. As Fr. Flanagan encouraged, I have supported SOLT and myself from 'day-one.' I have never relied on the Society for shelter, clothing, transportation, medical care, or legal counsel and instead, using my history of success in business, set up my mission as any savvy business man would, meanwhile continuing to support the Society and many other Catholic Charities. N.B. He does not deny that he holds the property described by SOLT and, in fact, strongly implies that this was fine with his superiors since he was "a savvy business man." What the SOLT said: SOLT has …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. What Corapi said: As I have indicated from the beginning of all this, I am not extinguished! If I were to commit to the suggestion of the Society, then I would essentially crawl under a rock and wait to die. N.B. He considers the SOLT's order "under obedience" to be a "suggestion." This, ironically, from a man who has famously stated, "Vatican II did not turn the 10 Commandments into the 10 Suggestions." Finally: the SOLT in its release noted that Corapi had filed suit against his "principal accuser" – hinting that there may be more than one – and also noted in broad outline some of the accusations made against him, i.e. "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." The "improper sacramental practices" goes unaddressed in the SOLT's summary of findings, and Corapi doesn't mention that charge, either.
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