Jesse Ray here: There is a trendy video floating around youtube that tries to drive a wedge between Jesus and Religion. It is stroking the consciences of the weak minded as it attracts increasing millions of views and “likes”. If you have not seen it yet, don’t bother. It is catchy and artistically attractive, but is smells of falsehood as he tries to use the Bible to convince us that Jesus’ mission was to abolish religion.

For those who are have been looking for an appropriate Catholic response to the original video that aims at the empty arguments and knocks them down with style…here it is: Why I Love Jesus AND Religion.

Spit Your Gum Here before Mass

We visited Guadalupe Parish in Midland Texas and found this sign at the front door. I thought it was a good idea.

I recalled the girl sitting in front of me last Sunday at Mass chewing like a cow with smacking slurping sounds.

Gum at Communion is not a good idea either — chew, chew, “Body of Christ” chew, smack, chew, “Amen” chew, chew …

Are We Ready for the Year of Faith?

Pope Benedict XVI is giving us a great opportunity in this New Year to make a big difference.  In October he announced the “Year of Faith” which according to Vatican statements is designed to help Catholics around the world deepen their relationship with God, better appreciate the gift of our Catholic faith, and strengthen our commitment to sharing the Catholic faith with others.  The observance is set to begin October 11^th, 2012 which also happens to be the 50^th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. The “Year of Faith” will then conclude on November 24^th, 2013, the feast of Christ the King.

Teresa and Steve doing a radio show from Primacy of Peter in Galilee

We have ten months to prepare for this important celebration but are we or will we be ready when October 11^th rolls around? What can I do better or differently to enhance not only my own relationship with Jesus but to help spread the good news?  These are questions I’ve been asking myself since the announcement was made. 

Actually these are questions I ask myself quite often. Because of my work in Catholic media, I am blessed to be surrounded by some pretty amazing evangelizers.  It seems like at least once or twice a week I say “I want to be more like him or her. Why can’t I be that strong of a public witness?” 

  Take for example my friend Steve Ray.  Steve is an accomplished Catholic author, speaker, and apologist.  A major part of his ministry includes leading pilgrimages around the world with his specialty being the Holy Land. Steve is a convert to Catholicism and being that he has a Baptist background it is probably no surprise that Steve has never had any trouble defending Christ or witnessing and that enthusiasm has been multiplied since entering the Church seventeen years ago.  In early December he was in the Ave Maria Radio studios to help us during one of our fundraisers.  He shared a story over the air waves that gave me chills.  It is a story that would make Pope Benedict proud and is I think exactly what the Holy Father wants us to do more of; unabashedly witness as to why we are Catholic.

You can wear something to start conversations too!

In Steve’s case he took a little help from St Francis of Assisi by wearing a beautiful San Damiano crucifix around his neck.  As Steve explains, he was on his way to another speaking engagement when the man sitting next to him complimented him on the cross.  He asked Steve what it was. Steve explained the history behind the cross and also told the fellow passenger that he wears it show his love for the Catholic Church. 

The man asked him if he really believed it and Steve said “so much so that I would die for it.” The man put on his headphones and stared out the window. About ten minutes later, as Steve tells it, the man tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to tell him more about the Catholic Church.  “Can you explain to me why I should be a Catholic?” Steve then spent the next two hours on that flight sharing the truth about the Catholic faith.  What an opportunity and as the Pope said in his apostolic letter used to announce the “Year of Faith”, this is the way our faith spreads.

Teresa and Steve doing Catholic radio together

“Faith grows when it is lived as an experience of love received and when it is communicated as an experience of grace and joy.”

We can start communicating our faith by taking some simple steps. Why not start by asking someone to Mass or by wearing your crucifix in a way that is very visible rather than keeping it tucked away hidden from view?  Maybe we’ll never become a well known apologist but that doesn’t matter. What does matter is that we will be answering the Baptismal call of evangelization.  And who knows maybe when October 11^th we will ready for the “Year of Faith.”

From Zenit.org based on the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life:

North America at night

“… Christians account for almost a third of the world’s population. This was one of the findings in a report published Monday by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. The data from the 2010 survey of more than 200 countries found that worldwide, there are 2.18 billion Christians, nearly a third of the estimated global population at that time of 6.9 billion….

“There are 1.1 billion Catholics worldwide, according to the report. This means they account for half of the global Christian population….

“Catholics are a majority of the population in 67 countries. The Americas accounts for 48% of the global number, with almost 40% in Latin America alone. Europe comes second with 24% of the world’s Catholics, while sub-Saharan Africa makes up 16% and the Asia-Pacific region has 12%.

“The broad definition of Protestants the report uses means they number 801 million worldwide, or 37% of the global Christian population. Protestants form a majority of the total population in 49 countries. …

“The country with the largest number of Protestants is the United States, with about 160 million, making up 20% of the worldwide total. Nigeria comes second, with nearly 60 million Protestants, and China is in third place with approximately 58 million…. [For the whole article click here]

Surveys Find Christians Happiest People in Europe

Posted By cninewsletter On December 8, 2011 (6:15 pm)

A study of the effect of religion on happiness has revealed that Christians are the happiest people in Europe.

The study was an empirical analysis of the effect of religion on happiness, using data from three waves (2002/2003, 2004 and 2006) of the European Social Survey (ESS) covering 114,019 individuals in 24 different countries.

It provided information on personal characteristics such as gender, age, income, subjective general health, marital status, main activity, number of children and the educational level of each individual among other things.

Statistical tests looking for correlations between happiness and religion variables showed:

A significant effect of belonging to a religion on happiness. Those who belong to a religion report higher levels of happiness than those who do not.

It found that religion or denomination has a significant effect on happiness. Protestants, other Christian religions and Roman Catholics report higher happiness levels whereas Orthodox and Eastern religions report the lowest.

There seems to be a positive relationship between how religious a person is and happiness: the more religious, the happier. However, those who consider themselves “not at all religious” (0) have comparable levels of happiness to those who give themselves a 5 in the scale of religiosity.

Frequency of attendance at services is likewise positively correlated with happiness: those who attend religious services every day say they are happier than those who never attend.

Source and Full Article: Mercatornet

The danger of scapegoating the Church is that is has given society an excuse not to address the problem in schools, day care, the family and other institutions. Read the article HERE.

What about in Protestant churches? HERE

An Atheist speaks out on the priestly scandal HERE

Another article about abuse in Protestant circles HERE

Interesting article for those who think the Catholic Church is shrinking in the USA. It is not.

Click here for the article and the statistics.

A book and a review evaluate the sad but predictable situation. The Zenit article begins:

1. Churches do have an active engagement with teens, but many of the young people do not grow up to be faithful adult followers of Christ.

2. There are a variety of reasons people drop out, so it is important not to generalize about an entire generation.

3. Churches are not adequately preparing the next generation to follow Christ in the context of a rapidly changing culture.

The problem, Kinnaman explained, is not that teens are any less active in church than in previous times. In fact, around four out of five teens in America will spend a part of their childhood or teen years going to a Christian congregation or parish. What happens is that this activity fades away during their 20s.

For both Catholics and Protestants the age group of those in their 20s is the least likely to say that they are committed to Christ, in spite of their previous religious experience.

An even greater problem is the disconnect with the church. Even more than a struggle with their faith in Christ, young people cease their institutional participation.

For the whole article, click here.

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My own thoughts on this are these: We have changed our philosophy as a culture from God-centered to Man-centered — from theistic to materialistic. No one explained this to us. Most people catch their worldview like they catch a cold, by being too close to someone who has it. Our world view is not something we should “catch” but something we should CHOOSE. We should think through the philosophical possibilities and CHOOSE to be Christians and Catholics because IT IS TRUE!

We have failed to teach out children to think about our surrounding culture, to ask “Why is Christianity true? And if it is true then the alternatives must be false, right?” Our schools, the media and entertainment tell them there is NO GOD and to live as though He is dead. Our young people have been lied to and no one inoculated them from the humanist, materialist world view.

Janet and I back in our Switzerland Study Days with Schaeffer

I taught my kids to be rebels, to argue with the secular culture, to resist pressure from the modernist philosophy and to know why we lived and acted differently. Many parents parents have failed to set the example. Children will usually love what their parents love. We should love the truth, love the Church, love to speak out and be counter-cultural.

Below are two good video clips of about 8 minutes each (Part I and Part II) which explain the situation in the modern world and why we have failed — not only our young people — but most all of our people.

This man in the videos is a Presbyterian minister and philosopher who was (and still is) a hero of mine. His name is Dr. Francis Schaeffer. I moved to Switzerland in 1982 to study with him. I affectionately call him my Protestant Patron Saint. I wouldn’t be a Christian today without his earlier influence in my intellect and wider life. He taught me to think and to think like a Christian who has the ultimate Truth of reality.

He taught me that it is not true because we believe it, but it we believe it because IT IS TRUE!  (He was thoroughly Protestant for which I am now saddened. (Had he lived longer I am convinced he would have become a Catholic because from my perspective his intellectual momentum was heading in that direction.)

It is because of him that I was able to stay Christian — and to love and commit my life to Christ in my early twenties.  Catholics will profit greatly from his pithy, prophetic words which he spoke in 1982 when I was in Switzerland. He predicted our state of affairs today but I think he would have been surprised and dismayed at how quickly we are falling and proving him unhappily correct.

Part I (eight minutes)

Part II (eight minutes)

John Adams (1735-1826) was a Founding Father of the United States. He was raised in an austere Protestant movement called the Puritans who left England to flee liturgical Christianity and to find religious freedom. He was raised as a Congregationalist and later turned to Unitarianism. He was elected President of the United States in 1796.

From Wikipedia we read, “Adams criticized the claims to universal authority made by the Roman Catholic Church. In 1796, Adams denounced political opponent Thomas Paine’s criticisms of Christianity in his book The Age of Reason, saying, “The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity, let the Blackguard Paine say what he will.”

My older brother sent me the page (84) on the left from a biography of Adams entitled John Adams by David McCullough. I thought it was insightful. Click on the image of the page to read the comments.

I responded to my brother:
Thanks for sharing this with me. I quite feel like this too at Mass, especially in some of the old beautiful churches, like the majestic churches in Detroit and in Europe. And, I still tear up frequently during the spender of the Mass.

His explanation shows he picked up on much of what is known to most Catholics. I sense this awe at Mass and can relate to Adams’ observations — having lived deeply now in both worlds, plain and chatty Protestantism and mysterious and heavenly Catholicism.

Study Shows: Most Priests Are Happy, Appreciate Celibacy; An Interview With Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, By Genevieve Pollock

WASHINGTON, D.C., OCT. 5, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Priests in general are among the happiest members of society, says Monsignor Stephen Rossetti, and contrary to secular opinion, most embrace celibacy as a positive aspect of their vocation.

These were some of the conclusions outlined by Monsignor Rossetti in his book, “Why Priests Are Happy” (Ave Maria Press), which will be released Wednesday.

The author, who is currently serving as associate dean for seminary and ministerial programs at The Catholic University of America, also wrote “Born of the Eucharist,” “The Joy of Priesthood,” and “When the Lion Roars.” As a licensed psychologist, Monsignor Rossetti previously worked as president and CEO of Saint Luke’s Institute, a treatment and education center for clergy and religious.

The author surveyed 2,500 priests, and made discoveries that modern society might find surprising.

In this interview with ZENIT, he explained some of these findings, including the correlation between a priest’s happiness and his relationship with God and others, and the signs of hope for the future of the priesthood.

ZENIT: Your research showed a conclusion that the public might find surprising: Priests are among the happiest people in the country. Why do we not hear about this happiness more often?

Monsignor Rossetti: There have been a number of studies in the United States over the last few years with exactly the same findings: About 90% of priests report that they are happy. In my study, it was 92.4%.

In a similar study, when the National Opinion Research Center recently conducted its scientific poll of 27,000 Americans, they found that clergy in general were the most satisfied and happiest of all Americans. This is especially remarkable since over 50% of Americans report being unhappy with their jobs.

But this consistent and astounding finding of priestly happiness remains a secret.

My findings suggest that we will never find the inner peace and joy that we are searching for until we find a personal relationship with God. Most of our priests have found such a relationship, and they are happy men because of it.

For the full article, click here.

I recommend taking 30 minutes to watch this video. A Protestant Christian is confronting people on the street. He starts with Hitler and the slaughter of innocent people and then uses it with precision in his questions about abortion, heaven and hell.

In this short video young people are interviewed on the street. It is stunning how so many young people have no idea who Hitler was, no idea that the Holocaust really happened or how many people were killed. Most have no idea how Hitler brainwashed people to accept killing.

This video demonstrates how people try to justify evil behavior and often don’t see their own hypocrisy. It shows how poorly most people reason through moral issues and are brainwashed by the culture. And it also shows how the old quote, “He who ignores history is bound to repeat it,” is accurate.

This interviewer asks questions to make people realize how they are also brainwashed to accept abortion, and how ignoring God and the Commandments can only lead to hell. Hear his excellent examples and comparisons; he is talented at presenting ideas to help everyone understand the truth.

Here is the preview:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxou1UADa4E.  Here is the 30 minute movie:  www.180movie.com.

Review comparing other problems with priests and thoughts on Fr. Pavone.

A heartfelt and balanced analysis and review of the situation between Fr. Pavone and his Bishop Zurek. It is entitled “Fr. Pavone and Authentic Freedom.”

You can read it HERE

Another review of the situation on CatholicCulture.org

the Latest by Canon Lawyer . It is entitled “Is John Wesley really the ministerial model Fr. Pavone wants to invoke?”

UPDATE: Al Kresta’s Response to Ed Peters’ Criticism of Radio Interview

Ed Peters’ Response to Al Kresta

Mark Shea’s Fr. pavone Needs to Seriously Back Down

Fr. Pavone and the Alamo

Catholic News Agency Canon Lawyer Evaluates Fr. Ps one’s Case

ROME, JUNE 14, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.

Q: I have seen people wear the rosary as a necklace and, in fact, I had a fifth-grader ask me during CCD if that was a sin. I told her that I didn’t believe it was a sin per se, but that as it is a wonderful prayer and most favored by the Blessed Mother, that I thought it disrespectful, not very reverent (regardless if the rosary is blessed or not). The student promptly asked about my decade rosary bracelet, “What about wearing it like a bracelet?” It’s a good question, in light of the cross and rosary “look-alikes” that seem to be ubiquitous these days in fashion jewelry. What do we tell young girls? — J.M., Leavenworth, Kansas

A: The closest resemblance to a norm on this topic is found in Canon 1171 of the Code of Canon Law. To wit: “Sacred objects, set aside for divine worship by dedication or blessing, are to be treated with reverence. They are not to be made over to secular or inappropriate use, even though they may belong to private persons.”

It is probable that this law does not fully apply to our case, since it refers primarily to sacred objects for liturgical worship such as chalices and vestments rather than to rosaries. At the same time, the intimation to treat sacred objects with reverence and respect can logically be extended to rosaries, crosses, medals and similar items.

Also, wearing a sacred object is not the same as using it in a secular or inappropriate manner. In fact, many religious congregations wear the rosary as part of their habit, usually hanging from a belt. There are also several historical cases of laypeople wearing the rosary for devotional purposes. For example, in his book “The Secret of the Rosary,” St. Louis de Montfort illustrates the positive results of this practice in an episode from the life of King Alfonso VI of Galicia and Leon.

I think that the key to answering this question can be found in St. Paul: “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). In other words, there should be no indifferent or irrelevant actions in the life of a Christian.

For the full answer, visit here.

Unless some big news happens, this will be my last post about Corapi. He’s become a rambling, broken, disobedient, lonely old man in a midlife crisis. In my estimation his collapse is no longer worthy news and of little interest. It is too sad to watch — like watching helplessly as a man refuses help while sinking into the mud of self denial and the slough of destruction.

In his latest video he exchanges a white priestly collar for a black leather Harley jacket. It is just too weird (who is his new publicist anyway?)

His black-dyed goatee, cocky demeanor and the ominous black dog face looming behind him will seal the deal — the loss of all his followers and fans save the most unstable “groupies.”

I feel especially pained for all those who have been stung by his hypocrisy and betrayal and those who in good faith tried to give the con artist the benefit of the doubt, trying to charitably live out the gospel.I pray for God’s healing and that they go own confidently in the Catholic faith — knowing it is not built on one man but  on Jesus Christ and a solid foundation laid two thousand years ago!

The Catholic Church has never promoted “superstars” or the “cult of personality.’ She has rather promoted the quiet saint and the obedient servant. I praise God for those who rise up to preach boldly (Bishop Fulton Sheen, for example). We have many fine examples to emulate. One bad apple does not the bushel contaminate.

In the video it sounds as though he’s not only lost his priestly function and his sanity but his faith as well.

Unless something drastic changes, he has dwindled into oblivion and will be ignored by reasonable folks, including me. Pray for him? Yes! But pray more for the scandal he’s caused and the people he’s damaged. Evidence of his sad state can be seen in his latest video here, if you have five minutes to waste.

Recently posted:
Corapi’s defiant response. Nothing new. Train wreck continues. Loyal followers encouraged to continue following. Kool-aid stand just ahead.
HERE

As a friend said, “An interesting example of non-denial denial. The first things that leapt out at me were the parts of the SOLT statement he *didn’t* deny, or even mention.”

Full Text of Corapi’ Legal Complaint against Accuser

Understanding Fr. Corapi’s Two Sides

Why Keep Talking about Corapi?

Why Be Catholic even During Scandals?

Why I Trust the Bishop and SOLT

EWTN News and SOLT Priest

A Lot of Other Blogs and Comments

While some news sites (e.g., New Advent and others) are waiting for further confirmation on this news release. However, I am commenting and sharing based on NCRegister and EWTN which usually are very reliable sources.

UPDATE 3:00 PM, JULY 5: “KRESTA IN THE AFTERNOON HAS OBTAINED INDEPENDENT VERIFICATION OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MORNING’S PRESS RELEASE BY SOLT. We spoke with a priest member of the order who is at their retreat who spoke to Fr. Sheehan 5 minutes ago and Fr. Sheehan confirmed that the press release is authentic.

It is now posted on the SOLT website.

For many thoughts and much analysis click HERE.

The latest Press Release from Fr. Corapi’s Superior, Father Gerard Sheehan, SOLT, is not good for Corapi. It seems one cannot hide sin, disobedience and deception forever. If what SOLT has just released is indeed true, even part of it, and there is no reason to doubt it’s credibility, the curtains have been drawn on Corapi’s illustrious career. This will come as a shock to many of his loyal followers. We all pray for a minimization of the fallout.

I am not happy about this. I love a good Catholic preacher who can rally the troops and forward the cause of truth. I always want to believe the best and hope for the best. But this is not good. Corapi has become such a public figure that to see him collapse into such a scandalous situation is indeed distressing. Having observed his ill-advised decisions and rambling statements over the last weeks, his collapse does not surprise many who have been watching objectively.

The Catholic Church has never promoted superstars or personality cults. Partly because such fame exposes one to tremendous temptations and a fall is so much more damaging. Protestantism is often energized and promoted through the cult if personality. The Catholic Church is very wise in such matters.

Even with such a public collapse of one celebrity teacher the Church goes on. Interestingly, this is an American phenomenon since the rest of world doesn’t even know who Fr. Corapi is. The Church is bigger than one priest and bigger than America.

The news article in the National Catholic Register is entitled “Father Corapi Resigns from SOLT.” It reveals some of the findings of SOLT’s investigation now released.

Al Kresta and Jimmy Akin discuss the latest news

Actually, I am glad this is being revealed sooner than later to avoid further damage and division. All one has to do is read a sampling of the unprecedented number of Comments on various blogs, not least of all Corapi’s own blog “TheBlackSheepDog.us” to realize the problems, divisions, scandal, hostility and pain this has caused many Catholics in America. Uncertainty, suspicion and speculation only make matters worse.

Included in the recent news release is the following:

SOLT’s fact-finding team has acquired information from Father Corapi’s emails, 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 Father 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 Father 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 Father John Corapi as fit for ministry.

St. Joseph Communication’s passionate and prayerful appeal to their dear friend Fr. Corapi. This is the best I’ve seen or heard yet.

Bravo to Terry Barber, Jesse Romero and the other two, including Fr. Corapi’s former body guard. Be sure to watch this video.

New twist: The accuser who Fr. Corapi is threatening to play audio of and whose claimed alcoholism he has alleged CLAIMS TO BE HIS GODDAUGHTER, WHO HE HIMSELF BAPTIZED.

Corapi Unleased – his latest confusion and self-justification on audio HERE

Official SOLT Statement on Fr. Corapi HERE

Al Kresta’s “The Stories Don’t Square” with lots of comments and discussion HERE

Excellent analysis of Corapi’s last “explanation” on the Te Deum BlogHERE

Mark Shea’s Analysis of Corapi’s latest audio rant HERE

Audio Satire: Black Sheep Dog or Blogging Chihuahua HERE

Fr. Longenecker’s excellent and balanced comments HERE

Fr. Corapi says he is no longer “Fr.” Corapi, but simply John Corapi since he is leaving the ministry of the priesthood. He is now aiming for a larger audience.

I am saddened by the whole situation. Maybe there is injustice in the way he was handled, and maybe not. Time will tell the whole story. But in the meantime I think Fr. Corapi has made grave errors with his reaction.

Blaming the Church is not the correct road to take. He could learn from saints like Padre Pio and others who submitted to the Church even in trying times. Padre Pio was sanctioned for over 10 years and humbly placed his life and situation into the hands of God.

The logo image of the black dog (below) with sheep and wolves reflecting in his eyes seems ominous to me. To take the moniker “Black Sheep Dog” implies a dangerous message.

Sheep dogs work for shepherds. When the sheep dog rebels against the shepherd and decides to go off on his own to “care” for the sheep, there is something wrong. When a priest denies his priesthood, rejects the authority of the bishop and decides to go it on his own, he is not in the right place and is one I want nothing to do with.

Pray for Fr. Corapi, yes; but pray more for those who will be damaged and scandalized by his situation and decisions.

Click on his new logo with the eyes to read or listen to Corapi’s announcement.

Read the most recent report by National Catholic Register HERE. It appears Corapi is playing games from the way I am reading this. National Catholic Register provides new info and analysis on John Corapi. Interesting read. Why did he pay his former employee for her signature to disclose nothing that happened to her while employed by him? Try to figure out who really is his authority. Seems he may have circumvented or avoided any authority other than his own. Black sheep dog or Lone Ranger?

Jimmy Akin’s Monday update – excellent detailed analysis from new info HERE

Al Kresta’s Excellent Comments

An excellent detailed article “What if Christ had Quit? HERE

Read the recent article in CNA HERE and from FR. JOE

I agree with the Creative Monority Report HERE

I especially like Jimmy Akin’s response in National Catholic Register entitled Fr. Corapi Has Lost It HERE

For a boatload of other articles and blogs, visit HERE

For many comments and thoughts, arguments and explanations, visit my Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/CatholicConvert

YouTube Satire HERE

Audio Satire: God’s Chihuahuas

It is a problem when a Catholic priest becomes such a personality that it almost forms a personality cult. Too many are willing to “stand by their man” no matter what. This is dangerous.

We need to love our priests but to be loyal to the Church first. It is also a problem when people want to stand by the priest but then are quite willing to throw the bishop under the bus. A priest needs to love the Church first, and his ministry second. I think Fr. Corapi has got the priorities turned around.

Pray for Fr. Corapi, but pray harder for the Church and for those who will be damaged by this fiasco.

From Michelle Arnold, Catholic Answers Apologist:
Before anyone feels too much sympathy for the man once known as Fr. Corapi, and who now chooses to be known as The Black SheepDog (?!), I recommend reading the story of Fr. Charles Murphy (link HERE), who died almost exactly one week before Corapi’s announcement. Fr. Murphy was cleared TWICE of accusations of sexual impropriety by the same Church John Corapi claims is unable to assess his own case fairly. (And in both cases, Fr. Murphy was charged with actions falsely alleged to have occurred decades ago.) Fr. Murphy may have died a broken man, but he died carrying the cross of Christ.

Michelle Arnold
Staff Apologist, Apologetics Dept.
Catholic Answers

Nothing new, but usually ignored or unknown to Americans, though much of the world knows it from experience.

Since 2006 over 200 churches have been attacked by Muslims in Indonesia.

This is multiplied in Iraq, Egypt, Philippines and everywhere else Muslims are gaining control or are a majority of the population. Problems are also arising in European countries with large Muslim populations.

Wake up America! http://www.zenit.org/article-32862?l=english