It begins in a cave. Moses. Elijah. The Nativity. St Benedict at Nursia. St Francis. St Antony in Kiev. St Ignatius at Manresa. It begins in silence, in stillness and solitude. It begins in holiness.
That is the way it has always been, a hidden life in desert or forest, slowly rippling out into the wider world as disciples are made, and communities are formed. It is an organic growth, like the ripening of grain or fruit. It cannot be hurried, and it cannot be manufactured.
But it is not like that in modern America. “America” as a concept is all about manufacturing and hurrying and prodding. Spiritual techniques are thought to create spiritual life, and the trappings of material success are the evidence of things unseen. I can think of several instances in the last few decades when someone had a vision of a vibrant religioius/lay community and set out to raise money and build monasteries and churches, long before a community had gathered, and long before the founders had become holy. Some of these projects crashed and burned in big scandals, and others just petered out, but it turns out such things cannot be created on human initiative.
The replacement of outer life for inner, of materialism for spirituality, has long marked American evangelicalism, with its preachers seemingly intent on acting like living caricatures, its message transformed into a sort of Christian cargo cult. Prosperity and worldly comfort are the criteria of spiritual success.
The Catholic Church in this country, long submerged in the American ethos, has not remained untouched by the worship of celebrity and prosperity. The cult of the Catholic superstar emerged some time ago, and it seems the stars implode with some regularity. Mercenaries have replaced mendicants, and we are worse off for it.
One who has evaded the seductions of fame is Fr Benedict Groeschel, one of the two Catholic celebrities I have known personally (the other is John Michael Talbot).
I was among the first postulants when the community he helped found broke away from the Capuchins to live a more ascetic life, over twenty years ago now. Living with them in New York I got to see Father Benedict close up.
One of the first things I learned about him was that he was not a stereotypical saint. He may well in the interim have mastered these things, but back then he was impatient and short tempered. The brothers would roll their eyes at his acolytes, mostly older women, who oohed and ahhed over Father. Occasionally one of them, or sometimes a young pious man, would land a post as an assistant at the retreat center where Father Benedict lived. They were starry eyed at the prospect of sharing such close proximity with the “holy man”, and we waited for the inevitable tears when Father would snap at them for some infraction or other.
One of my most vivid memories of my time in New York was Father Benedict, driving a van full of habited friars in thick traffic, laying on the horn and yelling out the window “MOVE IT LADY!”
Only in New York.
Yet there was not one of us who did not recognize the man’s essential goodness, his holiness. For none of the fame went to his head. He was as bemused as the rest of us at the adulation of his devotees. He was utterly humble, and did not take himself seriously at all.
His love of God was as obvious as his detachment from material things. He lived austerely, wore a simple habit, and utterly loved the poor, not in some abstract way, but as his brothers and sisters. A man of great intellect, he delighted in simple folk, some of whom were seriously dysfunctional or addicted. And they loved and revered him, cognizant of his affection and respect for them.
How did Father Benedict resist the allures of pride that come with fame? I suggest that it was his embrace of poverty, coupled with the community. Every healthy community curbs such foolishness, and anyone who knows this particular community knows that no one would last long in it who took himself too seriously. And there can be no holiness without asceticism.
I contrast this with other high profile Catholic preachers, with their independent ministries and for-profit corporations, flying first class, charging high prices for tickets to hear them preach, surrounded by the trappings of fame, and often of fortune.
And this seems fine with their followers, so long as their message is an “orthodox” (though very selective) version of Catholicism. It seems that there is little expectation of asceticism, of living in simplicity.
This is quite a contrast with the history of spiritual renewal, with the poverty of the great saints. And it is a contrast with the Eastern Orthodox, who still look to the living ascetics in the monasteries for spiritual leadership.
The fall of so many celebrity preachers in recent years may well be the second wave of the tsunami that began rolling over the Church some time ago with the revelation of the extent of the abuse crisis, and the lengths the leadership of the Church had gone to protect criminal clerics.
God seems intent on smashing whatever idols we may have created, whether of the hierarchy or of individual charismatic priests. Many will lose hope, unable to embrace reality. But others will emerge with a purer faith, cleansed from human respect and burning anew with the uncreated fire of the love of Jesus Christ.
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(The icon of the Prophet Elijah is by a cloistered Carmelite nun from Terre Haute Indiana. The community’s icons can be seen here: http://www.heartsawake.org/1/Religious_Icons.html)
“Only in New York.”
I love that image!
There are a lot of American Catholics who’ve been raised to believe (and this draws from many worthy European ascetic traditions) that asceticism for anyone who’s not a religious sister or brother is something you do in secret, and never ever talk about (except with your confessor/spiritual director). Quite frankly, we have no idea who’s sleeping in a hairshirt or using a discipline, and there are other forms of asceticism that don’t leave marks anywhere but on the soul.
Of course, there’s also a long tradition in American religions of successful teachers flaunting their success, so I’m not denying your main point. But there’ve also been people like Cardinal O’Connor, who were up to all sorts of holy things every day without telling anybody, and so we’ve only heard about them now that he’s dead. There was a lot of “ooh, he’s a prince of the church living in his big mansion, when does he ever suffer”, back in the day.
I’m glad that yelling in traffic isn’t THAT bad :)
What a poorly veiled stab at Fr. Corapi. There seem to be so many who suffer from envy and are joyous at the prospect of this priest being brought down a peg.
A selective version of orthodox Catholicism? What are you talking about? Your beliefs are either orthodox or heterodox. We have too many today that are heterodox in their beliefs. If you are orthodox, you are orthodox. Suggesting selective versions of orthodoxy is a cheap way of denigrating one who is faithful to the teachings of the Church. Shame on you!
Maureen’s comments are well put.
Way to go, John!
I am a recent convert. This is a common occurance among men…Protestant, Catholic or other. Any teacher faces this challenge and too many fail, as our Lord warned they would. He said in the parable of the faithful and wise servant in St. Luke 12 that “to whomever much is given…much, much will be asked of them.” Then as it says in St. James 3 “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”
Not following sola scripture does not mean abandoning it either, and too often the messenger gets the glory the message deserves.
[…] […]
I met Fr. Groeschel last year very briefly. He was an absolute delight! And even at his age he still has the 60+ ladies following him yammering in his ear.
I really like what you have to say here. I do want to point out, however, that the rock star clerics isn’t a particularly new phenomenon, or an exclusively American one. In Autumn of the Middle Ages, Johan Huizinga writes of talented preachers like St. Vincent Ferrer attracting enormous crowds, which laughed and wept and demanded encores.
Now, it’s true that St. Vincent had more to offer than a persuasive pulpit manner. He led a holy and aescetic life, too. But I’m not sure how much that mattered to his fans — and yes, I think the word applies. From the accounts Huizinga cites, it’s pretty clear the crowds were caught up in the moment, grooving on the man’s orations. Just goes to prove that people have always enjoyed a good show.
I once enjoyed listening to Father Corapi’s talks, especially about his “conversion”. He explained how he wanted to be “somebody” as he grew up, and how he turned into a sharp businessman (before his fall into drugs, etc.). He had some exciting tales to tell, but I could not afford to attend his “appearances” in our city, and nothing was cheap on his web site. Then I thought– what is different from what he is doing and the preachers on television that have become wealthy by “selling” religion? I cannot deny that Father is a good speaker, he also has an ego (he is somebody) but most of all–he remains a sharp businessman.
A lot of good insights here Dan. I am glad I found your site!
The timing of this does lead one to strongly to suspect a stab at Fr Corapi, as John implied. “The fall of so many celebrity preachers” (who could that be?), “I contrast this with other high-profile Catholic preachers” (who could be meant by that?), “God seems intent on smashing the idols we have created, whether…or of charismatic priests” (who could that refer to?). These preachers (whoever they are) are accused of a lack of asceticism. As Maureen said, we do not know who wears a hairshirt.
It may be a coincidence; the author may not have thought of Fr Corapi while writing the piece; but if so, the timing is most unfortunate.
Let’s not forget the greatest rockstar priest of the 20th century! JP2
“Your beliefs are either orthodox or heterodox”. Not so; one can distort by omission, like a certain libertarian priest who talks only of subsidiarity and never of solidarity. But the Catholic social vision needs each of these principles or it is not whole. Or like prolifers who ignore every sin against human life except abortion. Or conversely, eloquent opponents of war who never denounce abortion. You get the idea.
I did not mention Fr Corapi in this essay, but I have made no secret of the fact that he has long bothered me, and that was before I knew so much about him. There has long been controversy about his military records, for example, and personally I am skeptical of some of his stories. I would really like to see verification on the black belt, on his yacht and Ferrari, on his three years of homelessness, of his entire class dying in Vietnam, etc. This does not make me a bad Catholic. Father C’s conversion story is not part of the Deposit of Faith, and I am no more required to believe his tales than I am that of the woman who claims to converse with the Virgin Mary. And I have a problem with a preacher charging big money to hear him preach. And owning over $1 million in real estate in Montana. And having security guards. And pulling a gun on someone.
I have no idea if he is guilty of these recent charges, but I have problems with the whole cult of celebrity surrounding him….
You’ve committed public detraction without facts. I hope you publicly retract you’re thinly veiled assumptions and go to confession.
AMEN Sam!!!!! and what about Bishop Fulton Sheen,,,,His own weekly television show, that is STILL popular today!!!!!
Bo- I have said nothing that cannot be verified regarding Fr Corapi: he does charge a lot of money to see him preach, he does own over $1 million in real estate in Montana, he himself described pulling a gun on someone he accused of stalking him, he does have security guards. There are many people who say they heard him claim to be a Green Beret (Fr Bloom of Seattle, sermon, 2004).
As for his story, I would just like to hear one former starlet say she partied on his yacht. Or one volunteer from a homeless shelter say he remembers him in the soupline….
As for his personal story (or anybody’s story for that matter, including yours), I cannot verify, nor do I care. It is entertaining but irrelevant.
What is forgotten in all this character assassination is his teaching and its orthodoxy. It is his message about Our Lord, Our Lady, Holy Mother Church, etc., that has yet to be seriously challenged on its Truth. Except when offering his own opinions, which all priests do including the great Archbishop Sheen, he makes no claim that his teachings are his own. No, he always defers to the Magisterium.
Yes, he is a fallen sinful creature as we all are. But, so was St. Athanasius. So was St. Teresa of Avila (both doctors of the Church). So were many innumerable saints. In their time, they were also reviled, attacked and smeared with their failings. Does that diminish their message? No, Father Corapi readily admits he is a sinner and continually asks for prayers not to fall, as all good preachers should do.
Then are his “followers” just mindless star-struck lemmings? I don’t believe that for a minute. They hear Truth and follow it.
So, Daniel, “but I have made no secret of the fact that he has long bothered me”. Your bias has clouded whatever objectivity you had on this subject, rendering it baseless. Go to confession and print a retraction, brother!
God bless you,
Boanerges
Nichols need not print a retraction. Just as Father Corapi has freedom of speech (and plenty of opinions) so has Daniel Nichols.
Father Corapi’s stories have bothered me for a long time too–is it wrong to question? If so why? I met Father Benedict Groschel when my nephew was ordained in 2006 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. My nephew belongs to his order. I found Father Benedict exactly as stated here, although I am not a “fan” or follower o him any particular priest. He is humble, and soft spoken and his talks are not “all about him”. He is very down to earth and has a strong concern for the poor as do all those in his order. Anyone telling Nichols to go to confession because of his comments– needs to get a grip. When did bias (not present here, by the way) become a sin?
I know everyone has Fr. Corapi on the mind right now, but don’t forget about Fr. Euteneuer as well. I’m not sure if there has been anyone else big lately, but Fr. Corapi is not the only one.
. And it is a contrast with the Eastern Orthodox, who still look to the living ascetics in the monasteries for spiritual leadership
Or the most ranty beardies on internet telly ;) If you live where the Orthodox are native, you see they’re not actually as admirable and so much holier than the Catholics as the anglosphere internet inhabitants would have you believe.
Anyway, I’d say “it” in in contrast with all the Catholics I know – Scott Hahn or some Polish equivalent might be listened to or read, but spiritual leadership is sought among clergy and religious, usually found by word of mouth.
“Entertaining but irrelevant”? I suppose if one is primarily an entertainer the truth does not matter. But one would hope we would have a higher standard as Catholics.
I do not idealize Orthodoxy and am well aware that humans will be humans. That said, monasticism has retained an ascetic purity that has been eroded in the West.
“And this seems fine with their followers, so long as their message is an “orthodox” (though very selective) version of Catholicism. It seems that there is little expectation of asceticism, of living in simplicity.”
In America, I find this type of lay Catholic very common, it usually includes someone who is very strict in terms of sexual morals and liturgical corrrectness in the Church, but very wealthy and disdainful of the poor and “ugly” of the world. In other places, rhe reverse is more common.
The Gospel message, in it’s entirety, is very difficult to live out, which is why it’s hard to be a saint. Satan doesn’t mind tempting us over the port or the starboard side, as long as we fall off the Barqe of Peter.
BTW, nice to see Caelum et Terra on the Internet, I always loved your print magazine.
I’m saddened with all the backhanded attacks not only on the likes of Fr. Tom Eutenueur and Fr. John Corapi but even the faithful who like the style and content of their preaching. We are the same people who have had to endure through a lifetime of pastors giving us a steady diet of liturgical innovations and sermons so sugar-coated they were enough to put entire congregations into a diabetic coma. Well at long last God has raised up prophets to stir the hearts of the faithful. Fr. Corapi teaches the faith with the same enthusiasm and simplicity as St. Paul did in his day. He is a great gift to the Church and I know many in my extended family who were either fallen away Catholics or lukewarm have now caught the fire and are passing it on. They are excited and proud to be Catholic. Anyone clapping their hands with glee with this recent test sent to Fr. Corapi and Fr. Eutenueur of Human Life International should consider that they may be nourishing the sins of pride and envy. Only the father of lies should be dancing with glee that two much loved priests have been sidelined.
Great post. Well done!
ad Jesum per Mariam,
Taylor
Thank you so much for this wonderful and enlightening post! It serves as a reminder for us to focus on the message of God and not on the messenger. If I were converted by a celebrity cleric or any dynamic religious speaker, it is solely because of the grace that God has bestowed on me to respond to Him, and not due to the charismatic personality of the messenger. We can’t go wrong if we look up to God and still remain grateful and thankful for all the ways and means (people, things and events), he provides for us to remain faithful to him. My prayer goes to Fr. Corapi and his accuser.
Ascetics. How many? The answer lies in God’s grace. Who knows how many simple parish priests have offered themselves as victim souls and live lives of intense mortification? How many mothers have offered themselves as victims souls for their wayward children? Yes, there may be many ascetics in monasteries, and we surely hope that there are, but we may be surprised at the number walking among us.
I am not a “fan” of Father Corapi, nor Father Groshel, nor of the pastor of my own local Chuch, but their personality, what money they make or do not make that counts when they meet God.
It’s going to be how many souls did they help out of Purgatory, how many souls on earth did they help see God’s light? how many Masses, prayers, acts of adoration to our Savior…
Those are the things that are going to count.
Every snide comment about certain priests on television to me smack of jealousy. How often do people downgrade priest that aren’t good speakers? so why downgrade a priest that is a good speaker? damned if you do and damned if you don’t! Sounds like a bunch of Pharisee and Sanhedrin quotes to me.
I am reminded by all of this of St. Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians 1:10-15:
[10] I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
[11] For it has been reported to me by Chlo’e’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren.
[12] What I mean is that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apol’los,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
[13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
[14] I am thankful that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Ga’ius;
[15] lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name.
Wow, I’ve learned a great deal about cults of personality in this latest imbroglio. I’m not sure we know a great deal about either Euteneuer or Corapi, but I have been educated by the reactions to the accusations directed at both, and the reactions some people have to charitable, fair minded posts discussing those allegations. And I speak that as someone who is very skeptical that the latest allegations have any validity (Corapi), who is largely sympathetic to both men.
I’m a convert. I really got into the Faith just a few years ago. Christianity is hard – it’s very nuanced. It’s so easy to go too far in a given direction, even if that direction be normally a virtue – too much focus on justice, or mercy, or truth, or charity. I’ll be working at this forever.
Thanks for the post. As a convert to Catholicism this is an area that I am learning about and growing in. Have a long road ahead…
Like the post–really like the icon
It was written at the Carmel of St Joseph in TerrE haute, Indiana.
(Minor correction)
[…] Discipleship and sanctification take time and work. Interesting read on the subject. It begins in a cave. Moses. Elijah. The Nativity. St Benedict at Nursia. St Francis. St Antony in Kiev. St Ignatius at Manresa. It begins in silence, in stillness and solitude. It begins in holiness. That is the way it has always been, a hidden life in desert or forest, slowly rippling out into the wider world as disciples are made, and communities are formed. It is an organic growth, like the ripening of grain or fruit. It cannot be hurried, a … Read More […]
All I can say about the Corapi situation, is that I only heard of him just a few weeks prior to this accusation. I downloaded an iCatholic radio app to my phone, and listened each day after to his talks, and others. My home parish is luke warm. My heart was also cooling down. I had come to the end of the road with ‘as is’. I have failed in participating on a regular basis in the sacraments and attending mass, though I read my bible and other spiritual books often, I have meandered haphazardly now for years. Corapi’s no-nonsense confrontational style helped break me free from this, once and for all. Just hearing ‘Your mama wears combat boots!’ has helped me to truly form a prayer life around the rosary to face the challenges in my daily life. Whatever he is or isn’t, he evangelized ME. And I thank God for his fearlessness in preaching the way he does, because I needed it.
I understand that the Catholic people have been traumatized and trivialized, to the point that anyone boldly presenting (some) truth is so welcome that much is overlooked.
I am not saying that Fr Corapi is another Fr Maciel, but that case shows that appealing to integrity of the message, or the good effects on people’s lives may not mean much.
As I have said, if guilty he has my sympathy; at least his alleged sins are ones I can relate to (unlike so many priests’ sins). My problem has always been a) doubts about his veracity in telling his tales and b) the superstar thing; charging money to hear him, selling his stuff at top dollar, owning over $1million in property in Montana, etc.