There are two points, of the many he tried to make, that jumped out at me. One was that, while leaving the priesthood is not easy, most of his work the past twenty years has been involved in mass media and communications, so it's not like much is going to change. Oh really? I'm sorry, to the depths of my being, that he holds the sacramental ministry he was ordained to perform so cheaply. I am not the only one to be taken aback by this bizarre response from a priest facing the prospects of not being able to offer the Eucharist, hear confessions, baptize babies, anoint the dying or officiate at weddings anymore. Anything a priest does, by way of a blog he might have, or retreats he preaches or classes he teaches or counseling he offers, to name just a few possible activities he could do, has as it's goal drawing people into greater communion with Christ's community and participation in His life giving sacraments, particularly Eucharist and Reconciliation. This makes me wonder what Mr. Corapi's motivations were in pursuing his media career, and if they had changed over time.
The second point is related to the first; that in the future the topics he will touch upon are going be broader than in the past. So what now? Is he hanging up his mission to evangelize to become just another political pundit? Or is he going to comment on sports? Is he going to be a cultural critic? Maybe a new cooking show is in the works? Or, better yet, a radio talk show. Just what the world needs, another talking head spewing his or her own opinions. Will is views be consistent with the past, or now that he doesn't have bishops or religious superiors to be accountable to he can tell us what he really thinks? (Not that he was terribly hamstrung in the past. ) Again, what was more important to him, his priesthood or his career in the relative limelight of Catholic media? Now that he has been sidelined, is it that he can't bare not celebrating the sacraments publicly, as would burden just about any suspended priest, or is it his lost soap box that's getting under his skin? I point you to the paragraph above for the answer.
Today was the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The Baptist was fiery and bold; he kicked cans and took names, and it cost him his head. John was not speaking for himself, but for Jesus. He went to great lengths to tell people that One was coming who was greater than he. He did not seek to build himself up, but prepared the way for the Good News of God's redemption. This is the model for all evangelizers, whether they speak boldly like Mr. Corapi did, or more gently like Fr. Barron does. Whatever the style it is crucial to work with a spirit of humility knowing that the internet or cable TV are just tools at the service, not of our own personal message, but of Christ's message of love and repentance for the world. And this mission always comes with a cross. There is no avoiding it.
I do have sympathy for Mr. Corapi's situation. The process for investigating accusations against priests is flawed. The bishops conference was besieged in 2002 and they put in place a policy that was more of a reaction motivated by fear than a well thought out response to a very real and tragic crisis. But it is the policy we have, and it is for us to bare the crosses we are asked to in faith, even as we try to fix what is broken in the present policy. Mr. Corapi, who wants to be known as the Black Sheep Dog now, made a choice. Three months was too long to be without his microphone, and so he puts aside his priestly ministry to pursue his own personal goals. As a priest, I can't think of anything more heartbreaking. I don't care how unjust the investigative process is, to give up this great vocation so easily is beyond my ability to comprehend.
Pray for him, and for all evangelizers, that we may always remember Who it is we serve, Whose message we are carrying and Whose glory we are seeking.
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