In my previous post I listed the Archbishops. Here I list their works as noted by Dr Bernard Tappin in his website: http://www.hccaalumni.com/a_brief_history_of_the_archdioce.htm
The year 1851 can be regarded as an “annus mirabilis” for the young archdiocese. It was also a jubilee year of the Universal Church . On 9th February 1851, Smith was installed as first Archbishop of Port-of-Spain with a moving ceremony at his cathedral. He publicly discharged his new authority on 16th February 1851, when he consecrated his Vicar-General, Michael Monaghan as Bishop of Roseau. On Friday 19th February, Smith began three days of liturgical celebrations marking the consecration of the cathedral; its foundation stone had been previously laid by Governor Woodford on 25th March 1816. The Cathedral enjoyed the privileges of a Minor Basilica.
Later that year, special jubilee functions were held, culminating with the erection of a cross at Laventille on 15th August. Smith used these occasions to demonstrate the Catholic Church’s new status. The church remained a leading institution in British colonial Trinidad .
When the Archdiocese was created in 1850, Trinidad was becoming an even more complex colonial society, with the arrival of varying numbers of migrants from neighbouring West Indian islands and Venezuela , Africa, Madeira and China . The Indian Immigration scheme was becoming entrenched, adding a totally new religious dimension to the colony, as these migrants were Hindus and followers of Islam. There was need for the British to stamp their authority, institutions, language and religion on the colony - the anglicisation policy was in its hey-day.
The Catholic Church was often regarded in official government circles as being a “foreign church”; the church was very French in character. It drew its staunchest support from the influential French Creole elite; many adherents also came from the French Patois-speaking ex-slaves. Moreover, many priests were French, who as a rule preached in the language. The years following the creation of the Archdiocese continued to witness antagonisms between the colonial government and the Catholic Church.
SPACCAPIETRA
Tensions between the church and the colonial government came to a head with the appointment of Vincent Spaccapietra in 1855 as Archbishop. There was difficulty in finding a successor to Smith who died suddenly in 1852. Spaccapietra was Apostolic Delegate to the West Indies touring the islands when he was directed by Rome to assume control of the Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain. He was the first non - British subject to head the church in Trinidad ; Spaccapietra was an Italian from the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The manner of his appointment aggravated the relations between himself and the Governor, Charles Elliot. The colonial office in London had not been informed by Rome of the appointment of Spaccapietra. Prior to the creation of the Archdiocese, there was always a ready flow of correspondence between the church and London . Once the archdiocese was formed, it was the opinion of Rome that there was no longer any need to communicate with the colonial authorities. Rome dealt directly with the archdiocese. Governor Elliot refused to recognise the new archbishop. Leaders among the Catholic party sprang to the defence of their church and archbishop. Rome sent Monsignor Talbot to diffuse the situation in December 1855 and to assure the Governor that no slight was intended to the colonial government. Given the continued strained relations, it was no surprise that Spaccapietra resigned as Archbishop, assuming a new post in 1859 as Archbishop of Smyrna.
During his short term in office, Spaccapietra carved for himself a monumental role among the archbishops of Port-of-Spain. He effectively established the church’s social out-reach to the less fortunate. Spaccapietra arrived in Trinidad after the dreaded out-break of a cholera epidemic, which also plagued other West Indian islands. There was an immediate need to care for the poor. He therefore established the Les Amantes de Jesus Society, the St. Vincent de Paul Society (1857) and the L’hospice Spaccapietra (1858). These organisations have all stood the test of time and exist even today.
ENGLISH
There was need for the church to mend its fences with the colonial authorities. The new archbishop was an Englishman, aptly named Ferdinand English, a canon from the Diocese of Clifton. Rome reported his appointment to London in good time. English arrived in Trinidad in 1861; in September 1862 he died during a pastoral visit to Grenada . Archbishop English will be remembered for his initial efforts in bringing the Holy Ghost Fathers to Trinidad to establish St. Mary’s College. This was important for the church. The “old” Catholic St. George’s College had failed and the Protestant English elite had their needs met with the establishment in 1857 of the Queen’s Collegiate School , sponsored by the colonial regime. English was the founder of the Catholic Press with the establishment of the Catholic newspaper, the Star of the West, in 1862.
GONIN
The appointment of Louis Joachim Gonin, O.P. as 4th Archbishop of Port-of-Spain ushered in a period of growth and consolidation. His tenure lasted twenty-six years (1863-1889). His appointment satisfied the wishes of the contending power brokers in colonial Trinidad . Born in France , he grew up in Mauritius , a British colony in the Indian Ocean . French in culture, Gonin was above all a British subject. He was also a Religious, a Dominican Father. Gonin’s arrival in 1864 with a party of six young Dominicans was a critical development for the church in Trinidad . The church would now be assured of an adequate supply of clergy to man the increasing number of parishes. The Dominican Order was further entrenched with the arrival in 1868 of sisters of the Congregation of St. Catherine of Siena of Etrepagny, France, who came to take charge of the leprosarium at Cocorite. The Order’s presence was completed in May 1874, with the coming of the contemplative nuns from Venezuela . They fled their Dominican Monastery in Caracas during the persecutions of the President, Guzman Blanco.
The archdiocese was not only a stronghold of the Dominican Order. The Holy Ghost fathers arrived in 1863 to administer St. Mary’s College. The Cluny Sisters were also in an expansionist mood during Gonin’s time. In 1866, Providence was established. Convents were founded in St Joseph (1870), San Fernando (1882) and Arima (1885). The Good Shepherd Sisters of Angers arrived in 1890. Richard Rawle, first Anglican Bishop of Trinidad (1872) commented: “The Roman Church has Dominicans and sisters and all kinds of organised help”.
During Gonin’s episcopacy, there was a “rapprochement” between the church and the colonial officials. Governor Arthur Gordon nurtured the easing of tensions as colonial policy. The once vexing issue of the primacy of the Anglican Church was resolved by its dis-establishment in 1872. The church won an even more significant battle for it’s continuing role in education when the Keenan Report (1869) recommended that church schools be granted state aid under certain conditions. The dual system of primary education subsequently came into effect (1870). The colonial government sought the church’s help in furthering its work in education and welfare. In 1868, Gordon got Gonin to bring the Dominican sisters to care for the lepers. His successor, Henry Turner Irving in 1878 offered Gonin government funding if the church undertook the responsibility of finding a suitable religious order to run a reformatory. In 1890 the Girls Reformatory was opened, run by the Good Shepherd Sisters of Angers.
FLOOD
Gonin was succeeded in 1889 by his co-adjutor, Patrick Vincent Flood, O.P. He was the first of the Irish Dominicans to govern the see of Port-of-Spain. His appointment signaled a new era. In 1897, the Irish Dominican fathers replaced those from the Province of Lyons, France in staffing the archdiocese, following the departure of the Superior , Fr. Hilaire Arnaud. The long-standing battle between the French and English elements in the society was abating. The church could no longer continue to allow itself to be viewed as “foreign”.
Archbishop Flood’s episcopacy stands out for his unflinching support for Catholic education at the primary school level. In 1890, discussions were renewed concerning the dual system. There was again widespread support for a secular system of education. Flood was adamant about his church’s position. He won the day. A new ordinance was passed giving church primary schools increased financial support from the government. The dual system was maintained, with the government very generous with its support.
By 1903, the Catholic Church ran the largest number of schools, 72, with a student population of 11,286. The government had 51 schools with 8,731 pupils, the Anglicans ran 48 primary schools and 8,831 pupils and the Presbyterians 50 schools with 5,200 on roll. The long battle for church schools had borne fruit; the church treasured its schools established throughout the colony.
Before Flood died in 1907, he moved into the Archbishop’s House, built in 1904 in St. Clair. Flood himself designed the residence. Previously, the archbishops lived in a residence on the grounds of St. Joseph ’s Convent.
DOWLING
Flood’s successor was John Pius Dowling, O.P., who ran the archdiocese for 31 years from 1909 to 1940. He nurtured an increase in the number of religious orders to serve Trinidad . He welcomed Spanish Augustinians - the Recollect Hermits of St Augustine - who were placed in charge of a number of rural parishes where there were many Spanish speakers. In 1911, Dom Mayeul de Caigny, O.S.B., sought entry into the Archdiocese in the light of political pressures in Bahia , Brazil . A year later the first monks arrived to found the Abbey of Our Lady in Exile at Mt. St Benedict. In 1919, Dowling welcomed from England to the Archdiocese, the newly established Corpus Christi Carmelites. They were destined to do critical social work for the local church in the years to follow.
Dowling’s most difficult moments as archbishop were during the years 1926 to 1932 when he fought tenaciously but unsuccessfully against the introduction of Divorce legislation into the colony. In 1931, he presented yet another Solemn Protest to the Governor, Claud Hollis, signed also by the Anglican Bishop, Arthur Anstey, the Kazi of the Islamic faith and many Hindu pundits. On 22nd March 1931, Dowling addressed a mass protest rally at the Savannah along with Anglican, Hindu and Labour Leaders. The church was painted as being reactionary; divorce was seen as a “progressive” bit of social legislation. The government won the day. The King reigned.
RYAN
Dowling was ably succeeded by his co-adjuctor, Finbar Ryan, O.P in 1940. When he assumed office, Ryan already had a long and distinguished career in the church in Ireland . He was not a young archbishop, but he was destined to govern the church during 26 exciting years in the country’s and church’s history. Ryan witnessed Trinidad ’s political emergence as an independent country and he had the honour of being the first religious leader to bless the nation, minutes after the National Flag was raised on the first Independence Day 31st August 1962. The Archbishop was also present at the sessions of Vatican Council II in Rome (1963-1965).
As Archbishop of Port-of-Spain, he saw the church grow in the Caribbean. He celebrated the centenary of the Archdiocese in December 1950, with days of celebrations. In 1956, St Lucia and Grenada became separate dioceses. On 10th December 1957, the Antilles Episcopal Conference was born, one of the first in the church worldwide. The vast majority were only established in the wake of Vatican II. In December 1958, Ryan consecrated his Vicar-General, William Michael Fitzgerald O.P., as his auxiliary.
Ryan will forever be remembered as the founder of the Seminary of St. John Vianney and the Uganda Martyrs. As early as 1819, Rome proposed the foundation of a seminary, but it was on 19th January 1943, that Ryan blessed the seminary building then housed within the monastic compound of Mt St Benedict. The monks assumed responsibility for the seminary. In 1961, the seminary was transferred to its present site. Ryan also stands out for his determined advancement of Catholic education. Not only were primary schools built and renovated, Ryan was responsible for the rapid growth of Catholic secondary education in Trinidad . He invited to Trinidad the Presentation Brothers (1946) and the Holy Faith Sisters (1947) with this in mind. He encouraged the Holy Ghost Fathers to open Fatima College (1945). His own Dominican Fathers opened Holy Cross College in 1957. The parishes of St Joseph and Tunapuna had their own colleges, St. Joseph ’s College and St. Charles . The Dominican Sisters opened St. Dominic’s in Barataria. The church was the effective pioneer in the spread of secondary education in the years after World War II. Above all, Ryan sought to make his church strong and he stood ready to defend against all-comers.
When Finbar Ryan resigned in 1966, it was anticipated that a son of the soil would be his successor. The time was ripe for change and the man of the moment was Gordon Anthony Pantin, C.S.Sp. He was merely thirty-eight years old. He followed in a line of solid church leaders.
Friday, 8 July 2011
Previous Archbishops of The Archdiocese of Port of Spain
VICARIATE APOSTOLIC ERECTED 23rd February 1818
The following were appointed Vicar Apostolic
James Buckley †
(6 Mar 1819 Appointed - 26 Mar 1828 Died)
Daniel McDonnell †
(23 Dec 1828 Appointed - 26 Oct 1844 Died)
ARCHDIOCESE ERECTED 20th April 1850
The following are/were the Archbishops-
Richard Patrick Smith †
( 1844 Appointed - 1852 Died)
Vincent Spaccapietra, C.M. † Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians or Lazarites)
(18 Apr 1855 Appointed - 12 Sep 1859 Resigned)
Ferdinand English † (Diocean Priest)
(28 Sep 1860 Appointed - 19 Sep 1862 Died)
Joachim-Hyacinthe Gonin, O.P. † (Order of Preachers - Dominicans)
(21 Dec 1863 Appointed - 13 Mar 1889 Died)
Patrick Vincent Flood, O.P. † (Dominican)
(8 Mar 1889 Succeeded - 17 May 1907 Died)
John Pius Dowling, O.P. † (Dominican)
(9 Mar 1909 Appointed - 6 Jun 1940 Died)
Patrick Finbar Ryan, O.P. † (Dominican)
(6 Jun 1940 Succeeded - 24 May 1966 Retired)
Gordon Anthony Pantin, C.S.Sp. †
Belonged to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or in Latin, Congregatio Sancti Spiritus sub tutela Immaculati Cordis Beatissimae Virginis Mariae, Also known as The Holy Ghost Fathers or Spiritans.(29 Nov 1967 Appointed - 11 Mar 2000 Died)
Edward Joseph Gilbert, C.SS.R.
Belongs to the Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris also known as Redemptorist.
(21 Mar 2001 Appointed - expects to resign on December 26th 2011 when he turns 75.
and now...
Father Joe Harris. Another Local boy!
and another Spiritan.
Dr Bernard Tappin gives an excellent brief History of the Archdiocese on the following website: http://www.hccaalumni.com/a_brief_history_of_the_archdioce.htm
The following were appointed Vicar Apostolic
James Buckley †
(6 Mar 1819 Appointed - 26 Mar 1828 Died)
Daniel McDonnell †
(23 Dec 1828 Appointed - 26 Oct 1844 Died)
ARCHDIOCESE ERECTED 20th April 1850
The following are/were the Archbishops-
Richard Patrick Smith †
( 1844 Appointed - 1852 Died)
Vincent Spaccapietra, C.M. † Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians or Lazarites)
(18 Apr 1855 Appointed - 12 Sep 1859 Resigned)
Ferdinand English † (Diocean Priest)
(28 Sep 1860 Appointed - 19 Sep 1862 Died)
Joachim-Hyacinthe Gonin, O.P. † (Order of Preachers - Dominicans)
(21 Dec 1863 Appointed - 13 Mar 1889 Died)
Patrick Vincent Flood, O.P. † (Dominican)
(8 Mar 1889 Succeeded - 17 May 1907 Died)
John Pius Dowling, O.P. † (Dominican)
(9 Mar 1909 Appointed - 6 Jun 1940 Died)
Patrick Finbar Ryan, O.P. † (Dominican)
(6 Jun 1940 Succeeded - 24 May 1966 Retired)
Gordon Anthony Pantin, C.S.Sp. †
Belonged to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or in Latin, Congregatio Sancti Spiritus sub tutela Immaculati Cordis Beatissimae Virginis Mariae, Also known as The Holy Ghost Fathers or Spiritans.(29 Nov 1967 Appointed - 11 Mar 2000 Died)
Edward Joseph Gilbert, C.SS.R.
Belongs to the Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris also known as Redemptorist.
(21 Mar 2001 Appointed - expects to resign on December 26th 2011 when he turns 75.
and now...
Father Joe Harris. Another Local boy!
and another Spiritan.
Dr Bernard Tappin gives an excellent brief History of the Archdiocese on the following website: http://www.hccaalumni.com/a_brief_history_of_the_archdioce.htm
The Catholic Church was introduced to Trinidad with the coming of Columbus in 1498 and the subsequent Spanish settlement and establishment of the Parish and Church of St. Joseph by Antonio de Berrio in 1592. The church was further assured of its continuity after the island was lost to the British as Article Eleven of the Capitulation of 1797 guaranteed the inhabitants, most of whom were Catholic, freedom to practice their religion. Trinidad was then under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Guyana based at San Tome de Angostura ( Venezuela ) which was erected in 1790. The island was previously part of the Diocese of Puerto Rico, founded in 1532.
When the British assumed ownership of Trinidad at the Peace of Amiens in 1802, there was need for new administrative arrangements concerning the Church. It was only in 1819 that a Vicariate Apostolic was established giving James Buckley jurisdiction over the church in Trinidad as well as the other British and Danish colonies in the West Indies . Buckley had responsibility for a vast vicariate.
The Vicars Apostolic Buckley (1820-1828) James Mc Donnell (1829-1844) and Richard Patrick Smith (1844-1850) faced many daunting problems. Not only was there always a chronic shortage of priests, the church in Trinidad was faced with a bitter schism (1825-1841) led by a coloured priest, Francis de Ridder. He was born in British Guiana ( Guyana ) and he was determined to advance the cause of his own coloured people. The church also had to get its house in order with the Abolition of Slavery in 1834, as the other Christian churches were also seeking to win converts from among the newly freed Africans. The Vicariate had to face yet another crisis in 1844 when the Anglican Church - the religion of the minority in Trinidad was Established. The Catholic Church was relegated officially and legally to a position of secondary importance.
A new era dawned for the church on 30th April, 1850 when Pope Pius IX transformed the Vicariate into the Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain with jurisdiction over St. Lucia , St. Vincent , Grenada and Tobago and with Roseau , Dominica as its suffragan see. In 1850, the catholic population of Trinidad stood at 44,000 out of a total of 70,000 persons. There were sixteen parishes served by twenty resident priests, with thirteen primary schools along with St. Joseph ’s Convent, Port-of-Spain (1836) and St. George’s College (1838). The church’s new status was of added significance as it was made months before the hierarchy was restored in England on 24th September 1850. Indeed the Church of Port-of-Spain lays claim to be one of the oldest in the English-speaking world.
Note to the New Archbishop of Port of Spain - Please appoint an Exorcist
When I was in Toronto in 2008 the news there was about the appointment of 2 Exorcists in Ottowa (the Capital of Canada). They were appointed by the Bishop.
A News report By The Ottawa Citizen, April 5, 2008 stated:
So Archbishop Gilbert of Port of Spain did not himself appoint an official Exorcist, even if we have a priest or two in the Archdiocese who conducts exorcisms. I hope that the new Archbishop will appoint one.
The church cannot tell me to believe the bible that mentions demons and hell and tell me about the battle against principalities, powers and dominions and not have a chief priest to fight these creatures.
There is a theology in the church that negates the devil. Some people call it superstition. Please Father Joe. Let us have an official exorcist.
A News report By The Ottawa Citizen, April 5, 2008 stated:
The archdiocese doesn't receive any more than seven or eight calls a year. Nor are the callers any more likely to be possessed -- in the past 15 years, Ottawa clergy say they have had only one case of demonic possession.
But exorcism has always been part of the Catholic ministry, even if it has fallen by the wayside in the last generation.
Under Pope Benedict XVI and his predecessor, John Paul II, talk of Satan and his minions has made a comeback. In the past two decades, Italy alone has increased the ranks of its exorcists from 20 to 350. Just before Christmas, Rome's chief exorcist, Gabriel Amorth, indicated the Pope wanted an exorcist in every diocese in the world.
The Vatican press office later toned down Father Amorth's statement, saying the Pope had no intention of "ordering local bishops to bring in garrisons of exorcists."
But the Pope clearly supports their work, and an Ash Wednesday homily from Vatican City reminded the faithful that Satan still stalks our world, whatever modern rationalism may say.
So Archbishop Gilbert of Port of Spain did not himself appoint an official Exorcist, even if we have a priest or two in the Archdiocese who conducts exorcisms. I hope that the new Archbishop will appoint one.
The church cannot tell me to believe the bible that mentions demons and hell and tell me about the battle against principalities, powers and dominions and not have a chief priest to fight these creatures.
There is a theology in the church that negates the devil. Some people call it superstition. Please Father Joe. Let us have an official exorcist.
Father Jason Gordon appointed bishop of Bridgetown and Kingston by the Pope
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI transferred the Diocese of Kingstown, in S. Vincent and the Grenadines, from the ecclesiastical Province of Castries to the Port of Spain, in Trinidad and Tobago on July 8, 2011.
The Holy Father appointed Bishop for the two Dioceses of Bridgetown (Barbados) and Kingstown (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Rev. Mgr. Charles Jason Gordon, of the clergy of Port of Spain, moderator of the Archdiocesan Curia.
The Rev. Mgr. Charles Jason Gordon, was born in Port of Spain, in Trinidad and Tobago, on March 17, 1959. He did his elementary and secondary studies at Fatima College in Trinidad (big up to the old Alma mater). He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at the University of the West Indies.
In 1982 he joined the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney in Trinidad and Tobago. From 1986 to 1988 he did further studies at the Catholic University of Leuven, where he graduated in Moral and Religious Science (Magna Cum Laude). He then returned to Trinidad and Tobago to teach at the Seminary. He was ordained a priest in Port of Spain on March 19, 1991.
After his ordination he has held the following positions:
1991: Professor at the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney;
1991 - 1996 Duncan Street Caring Centre - Coordinator responsible for the staff and assistance program development for the homeless;
1991 - 1996: Coordinator of the Marian House, home to the homeless;
1993 - 1996: Director of Production of the Trinity Television Network;
1996 - 2003: Studies for a Doctorate in Pastoral Theology at Heythrop College University of London, in England,
1995: Director of the Caribbean School of Catholic Communications;
2000 - 2002: Chaplain of the General Hospital in Port of Spain;
2000 - 2005: Member of the community team Living Water Community in Port of Spain;
2002: Director of Marian House;
2003 to 2006: Director of the Institute of Pastoral Leadership in Port of Spain; Pastor of the Holy Rosary and St. Martin de Porres in Trinidad; CITY - Community Intervention Transforming Youth in Trinidad.
2006: A Short Course in Management of Social Development for Caribbean NGO's in Washington, in the United States,
2003: Member of the Board of clergy of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, of the Commission of the Archdiocesan Synod, the Commission of the Archdiocesan Communications and of the Commission Justice and Peace;
2005 - 2006: Episcopal Vicar for the Archdiocese in the north area;
2006: Moderator of the Archdiocesan Curia.
The Diocese of Bridgetown (1970), has an area of 430 square kilometers and a population of 277,000 inhabitants, of whom 11,000 are Catholics. There are 6 parishes, 11 priests (4 diocesan, 7 religious), 1 permanent deacon and 9 nuns. The Diocese of Kingstown (1989), has an area of 388 square kilometers and a population of 120,000 inhabitants, of whom 15,469 are Catholic. There are 6 parishes, 11 priests (7 diocesan, 4 religious) and 14 nuns. The Diocese of Kingstown and Bridgetown are suffragans of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 08/07/2011)
The Holy Father appointed Bishop for the two Dioceses of Bridgetown (Barbados) and Kingstown (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Rev. Mgr. Charles Jason Gordon, of the clergy of Port of Spain, moderator of the Archdiocesan Curia.
The Rev. Mgr. Charles Jason Gordon, was born in Port of Spain, in Trinidad and Tobago, on March 17, 1959. He did his elementary and secondary studies at Fatima College in Trinidad (big up to the old Alma mater). He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at the University of the West Indies.
In 1982 he joined the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney in Trinidad and Tobago. From 1986 to 1988 he did further studies at the Catholic University of Leuven, where he graduated in Moral and Religious Science (Magna Cum Laude). He then returned to Trinidad and Tobago to teach at the Seminary. He was ordained a priest in Port of Spain on March 19, 1991.
After his ordination he has held the following positions:
1991: Professor at the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney;
1991 - 1996 Duncan Street Caring Centre - Coordinator responsible for the staff and assistance program development for the homeless;
1991 - 1996: Coordinator of the Marian House, home to the homeless;
1993 - 1996: Director of Production of the Trinity Television Network;
1996 - 2003: Studies for a Doctorate in Pastoral Theology at Heythrop College University of London, in England,
1995: Director of the Caribbean School of Catholic Communications;
2000 - 2002: Chaplain of the General Hospital in Port of Spain;
2000 - 2005: Member of the community team Living Water Community in Port of Spain;
2002: Director of Marian House;
2003 to 2006: Director of the Institute of Pastoral Leadership in Port of Spain; Pastor of the Holy Rosary and St. Martin de Porres in Trinidad; CITY - Community Intervention Transforming Youth in Trinidad.
2006: A Short Course in Management of Social Development for Caribbean NGO's in Washington, in the United States,
2003: Member of the Board of clergy of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, of the Commission of the Archdiocesan Synod, the Commission of the Archdiocesan Communications and of the Commission Justice and Peace;
2005 - 2006: Episcopal Vicar for the Archdiocese in the north area;
2006: Moderator of the Archdiocesan Curia.
The Diocese of Bridgetown (1970), has an area of 430 square kilometers and a population of 277,000 inhabitants, of whom 11,000 are Catholics. There are 6 parishes, 11 priests (4 diocesan, 7 religious), 1 permanent deacon and 9 nuns. The Diocese of Kingstown (1989), has an area of 388 square kilometers and a population of 120,000 inhabitants, of whom 15,469 are Catholic. There are 6 parishes, 11 priests (7 diocesan, 4 religious) and 14 nuns. The Diocese of Kingstown and Bridgetown are suffragans of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 08/07/2011)
Father Joe Harris appointed Archbishop of Port of Spain
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Coadjutor of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), Rev. Fr. Joseph Harris, C.S.Sp., on 8 July, 2011. He has been Pastor and judicial Vicar for the clergy in the same Metropolitan See.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Harris, C.S.Sp., was born in Trinidad on March 19, 1942. In 1969 he was accepted into the novitiate of the Spiritans Fathers in Quebec, Canada.
After the novitiate, he professed his temporary vows and was sent to Ireland to study philosophy in Dublin.
He then returned to Trinidad to study theology, which he did at the Holy Ghost Missionary College and at the Seminary of St. John Vianney and the Ugandan Martyrs in Trinidad. He professed his perpetual vows on November 3, 1967 and was ordained a priest on July 14, 1968.
After the Ordination he was sent to Paraguay as a missionary and in 1984 to the United States for further studies. He graduated in "Church Administration" at the Chicago Theological Union in 1991. In 2003 he went to Canada to study canon law (in Ottawa), obtaining a licentiate in 2005.
After Ordination he has held the following positions:
1968 - 1982: Missionary in Paraguay;
1969 - 1971: assistant priest of Santa Catalina in Asunción;
1971 - 1981: Parish Priest at San Jose Obrero, Vila Morra, Asuncion;
1973 - 1981: Superior of Spiritan Fathers in Paraguay;
1973 - 1974: Teacher of religion in the College of Christo Rey, in Asunción;
1974 - 1980: National Chaplain of the youth movement in Paraguay; Spiritual Director of the Cursillo Movement de Cristiandad;
1978 - 1980: Professor of religious studies at the ' University of Privada, in Colombia,
1978 - 1981: Director of the Pre-novitiate of the Spiritan Fathers in Paraguay;
1982 - 1987: Professor of Spirituality, Co-Director and then Director of the training in the Scholasticate of PP. Spiritans in Chicago, in the United States;
1987 - 1993: Director of the formation of PP. Spiritans in Trinidad, in Arouca;
1993 - 1999: Rector of the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney and the Ugandan Martyrs in Trinidad.
1997 - 2003: Provincial Superior of the PP. Spiritans in Trinidad;
1999 - 2003: Parish Priest of Saint Anthony in Petit Valley, in Trinidad;
2003 - 2005: Studies for the Licentiate in Canon Law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada;
2005 - 2006: Deputy Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain; since
2006 - until now. Judicial Vicar and Vicar for the clergy of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, Pastor of St. Anne.
The territory of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, built in 1850, includes both the main islands of Trinidad and Tobago, including about 20 smaller islands. The territory covers about 5,128 sq. km., and has about 1,262,400 inhabitants, of which 289,460 Catholics (ca. 26%), distributed in 61 parishes and 181 Mass centers, where often the laity and the religious preside the celebration of the Word. There are 107 priests in the Archdiocese, 46 are religious. However, only 57 are active. There is only one major seminarian and 141 religious women. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 08/07/2011)
Rev. Fr. Joseph Harris, C.S.Sp., was born in Trinidad on March 19, 1942. In 1969 he was accepted into the novitiate of the Spiritans Fathers in Quebec, Canada.
After the novitiate, he professed his temporary vows and was sent to Ireland to study philosophy in Dublin.
He then returned to Trinidad to study theology, which he did at the Holy Ghost Missionary College and at the Seminary of St. John Vianney and the Ugandan Martyrs in Trinidad. He professed his perpetual vows on November 3, 1967 and was ordained a priest on July 14, 1968.
After the Ordination he was sent to Paraguay as a missionary and in 1984 to the United States for further studies. He graduated in "Church Administration" at the Chicago Theological Union in 1991. In 2003 he went to Canada to study canon law (in Ottawa), obtaining a licentiate in 2005.
After Ordination he has held the following positions:
1968 - 1982: Missionary in Paraguay;
1969 - 1971: assistant priest of Santa Catalina in Asunción;
1971 - 1981: Parish Priest at San Jose Obrero, Vila Morra, Asuncion;
1973 - 1981: Superior of Spiritan Fathers in Paraguay;
1973 - 1974: Teacher of religion in the College of Christo Rey, in Asunción;
1974 - 1980: National Chaplain of the youth movement in Paraguay; Spiritual Director of the Cursillo Movement de Cristiandad;
1978 - 1980: Professor of religious studies at the ' University of Privada, in Colombia,
1978 - 1981: Director of the Pre-novitiate of the Spiritan Fathers in Paraguay;
1982 - 1987: Professor of Spirituality, Co-Director and then Director of the training in the Scholasticate of PP. Spiritans in Chicago, in the United States;
1987 - 1993: Director of the formation of PP. Spiritans in Trinidad, in Arouca;
1993 - 1999: Rector of the Regional Seminary of St. John Vianney and the Ugandan Martyrs in Trinidad.
1997 - 2003: Provincial Superior of the PP. Spiritans in Trinidad;
1999 - 2003: Parish Priest of Saint Anthony in Petit Valley, in Trinidad;
2003 - 2005: Studies for the Licentiate in Canon Law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada;
2005 - 2006: Deputy Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain; since
2006 - until now. Judicial Vicar and Vicar for the clergy of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, Pastor of St. Anne.
The territory of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, built in 1850, includes both the main islands of Trinidad and Tobago, including about 20 smaller islands. The territory covers about 5,128 sq. km., and has about 1,262,400 inhabitants, of which 289,460 Catholics (ca. 26%), distributed in 61 parishes and 181 Mass centers, where often the laity and the religious preside the celebration of the Word. There are 107 priests in the Archdiocese, 46 are religious. However, only 57 are active. There is only one major seminarian and 141 religious women. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 08/07/2011)
Vatican press release about Church in Trinidad and Tobago
The Vatican released these two announcements about the church in the caribbean.... ok I'll post it over in English
NOMINA DEL VESCOVO DELLE DIOCESI DI BRIDGETOWN (BARBADOS) E KINGSTOWN (S. VINCENZO E GRANADINE)
Il Santo Padre ha nominato Vescovo per le due diocesi di Bridgetown (Barbados) e di Kingstown (S. Vincenzo e Grenadine), il Rev.do Mons. Charles Jason Gordon, del clero di Port of Spain, moderatore della Curia arcidiocesana.
Rev.do Mons. Charles Jason Gordon
Il Rev.do Mons. Charles Jason Gordon, è nato a Port of Spain, in Trinidad e Tobago, il 17 marzo 1959. Ha compiuto gli studi elementari e secondari al Collegio Fatima in Trinidad. Ha ottenuto un Bachelor of Arts in Filosofia all’Università delle West Indies. Nel 1982 è entrato nel Seminario Regionale di S. Giovanni Vianney in Trinidad e Tobago. Dal 1986 al 1988 ha svolto gli studi superiori alla Catholic University of Leuven, dove si è laureato in Science Morali e Religiose (Magna Cum Laude). È poi tornato a Trinidad e Tobago per insegnare in Seminario.
È stato ordinato sacerdote a Port of Spain il 19 marzo 1991.
Dopo l’ordinazione sacerdotale ha ricoperto i seguenti incarichi: dal 1991: Professore nel Seminario Regionale di S. Giovanni Vianney; 1991-996: Duncan Street Caring Centre - Coordinatore responsabile per il personale e per lo sviluppo del programma assistenziale per i senzatetto; 1991-1996: Coordinatore della Marian House, casa per i senzatetto; 1993-1996: Direttore di Produzione di Trinity Television Network; 1996-2003: Studi per il Dottorato in Teologia Pastorale all’Heythrop College University of London, in Inghilterra; dal 1995: Direttore della Caribbean School of Catholic Communications; 2000-2002: Cappellano dell’Ospedale Generale a Port of Spain; 2000-2005 Membro dell’équipe della comunità Living Water a Port of Spain; dal 2002: Direttore della Marian House; 2003-2006: Direttore dell’Institute of Pastoral Leadership a Port of Spain; Parroco di Holy Rosary and St. Martin de Porres in Trinidad; CITY – Community Intervention Transforming Youth in Trinidad. 2006: Breve corso in Management of Social Development for Caribbean NGO’s a Washington, negli Stati Uniti; dal 2003: Membro del Consiglio del clero dell’Arcidiocesi di Port of Spain; della Commissione del Sinodo Arcidiocesano; della Commissione della Comunicazione Arcidiocesana e della Commissione Giustizia e Pace; 2005-2006: Vicario Episcopale per la zona nord dell’Arcidiocesi.
Dal 2006 è Moderatore della Curia Arcidiocesana.
[01077-01.02]
NOMINA DELL’ARCIVESCOVO COADIUTORE DI PORT OF SPAIN (TRINIDAD E TOBAGO)
Il Papa ha nominato Arcivescovo Coadiutore dell’Arcidiocesi di Port of Spain (Trinidad e Tobago), il Rev.do P. Joseph Harris, C.S.Sp., Parroco e Vicario giudiziale per il clero nella medesima Sede Metropolitana.
Rev.do P. Joseph Harris, C.S.Sp.
Il Rev.do P. Joseph Harris, C.S.Sp., è nato in Trinidad il 19 marzo 1942. Nel 1969 è stato accolto nel noviziato dei Padri Spiritani in Quebec, Canada. Dopo il noviziato, ha emesso i voti temporanei ed è stato inviato in Irlanda per gli studi filosofici a Dublino. È successivamente ritornato a Trinidad per gli studi teologici, che ha svolto presso l’Holy Ghost Missionary College, e al Seminario di San Giovanni M. Vianney e dei Martiri Ugandesi in Trinidad.
Ha emesso i voti perpetui il 3 novembre 1967 ed è stato ordinato sacerdote il 14 luglio 1968.
È stato quindi inviato in Paraguay come missionario e nel 1984 negli Stati Uniti, per studi superiori. Si è laureato in "Church Administration" al Chicago Theological Union nel 1991. Nel 2003 si è recato in Canada per gli studi di Diritto Canonico (ad Ottawa), ottenendo la Licenza nel 2005.
Dopo l’Ordinazione ha ricoperto i seguenti incarichi: 1968-1982: Missionario in Paraguay; 1969 -1971: Vicario parrocchiale di Santa Catalina a Asunción; 1971-1981:Parroco di San José Obrero, Vila Morra, Asunción; 1973-1981: Superiore dei Padri Spiritani in Paraguay; 1973- 1974: Insegnante di Religione nel Collegio Christo Rey, Asunción; 1974-1980: Cappellano nazionale del movimento giovanile in Paraguay; Direttore spirituale del movimento Cursillos de Cristiandad; 1978-1980: Professore di studi religiosi all’Università di Privada, Colombia; 1978 -1981: Direttore del pre-noviziato dei Padri Spiritani in Paraguay; 1982-1987: Docente di Spiritualità, Co-direttore e poi Direttore della formazione nello Scolasticato dei PP. Spiritani a Chicago, negli Stati Uniti; 1987-1993: Direttore della formazione dei PP. Spiritani in Trinidad, ad Arouca; 1993-1999: Rettore del Seminario Regionale di San Giovanni M. Vianney e dei Martiri Ugandesi in Trinidad. 1997-2003: Superiore Provinciale dei PP. Spiritani in Trinidad; 1999- 2003: Parroco di San Antonio a Petit Valley in Trinidad; 2003-2005: Studi per la Licenza in Diritto Canonico alla St. Paul University a Ottawa in Canada; 2005-2006: Vice Vicario Giudiziale dell’Arcidiocesi di Port of Spain.
Dal 2006 è Vicario Giudiziale e Vicario per il clero dell’Arcidiocesi di Port of Spain, Parroco di Sant’Anna.
[01078-01.01]
NOMINA DEL VESCOVO DELLE DIOCESI DI BRIDGETOWN (BARBADOS) E KINGSTOWN (S. VINCENZO E GRANADINE)
Il Santo Padre ha nominato Vescovo per le due diocesi di Bridgetown (Barbados) e di Kingstown (S. Vincenzo e Grenadine), il Rev.do Mons. Charles Jason Gordon, del clero di Port of Spain, moderatore della Curia arcidiocesana.
Rev.do Mons. Charles Jason Gordon
Il Rev.do Mons. Charles Jason Gordon, è nato a Port of Spain, in Trinidad e Tobago, il 17 marzo 1959. Ha compiuto gli studi elementari e secondari al Collegio Fatima in Trinidad. Ha ottenuto un Bachelor of Arts in Filosofia all’Università delle West Indies. Nel 1982 è entrato nel Seminario Regionale di S. Giovanni Vianney in Trinidad e Tobago. Dal 1986 al 1988 ha svolto gli studi superiori alla Catholic University of Leuven, dove si è laureato in Science Morali e Religiose (Magna Cum Laude). È poi tornato a Trinidad e Tobago per insegnare in Seminario.
È stato ordinato sacerdote a Port of Spain il 19 marzo 1991.
Dopo l’ordinazione sacerdotale ha ricoperto i seguenti incarichi: dal 1991: Professore nel Seminario Regionale di S. Giovanni Vianney; 1991-996: Duncan Street Caring Centre - Coordinatore responsabile per il personale e per lo sviluppo del programma assistenziale per i senzatetto; 1991-1996: Coordinatore della Marian House, casa per i senzatetto; 1993-1996: Direttore di Produzione di Trinity Television Network; 1996-2003: Studi per il Dottorato in Teologia Pastorale all’Heythrop College University of London, in Inghilterra; dal 1995: Direttore della Caribbean School of Catholic Communications; 2000-2002: Cappellano dell’Ospedale Generale a Port of Spain; 2000-2005 Membro dell’équipe della comunità Living Water a Port of Spain; dal 2002: Direttore della Marian House; 2003-2006: Direttore dell’Institute of Pastoral Leadership a Port of Spain; Parroco di Holy Rosary and St. Martin de Porres in Trinidad; CITY – Community Intervention Transforming Youth in Trinidad. 2006: Breve corso in Management of Social Development for Caribbean NGO’s a Washington, negli Stati Uniti; dal 2003: Membro del Consiglio del clero dell’Arcidiocesi di Port of Spain; della Commissione del Sinodo Arcidiocesano; della Commissione della Comunicazione Arcidiocesana e della Commissione Giustizia e Pace; 2005-2006: Vicario Episcopale per la zona nord dell’Arcidiocesi.
Dal 2006 è Moderatore della Curia Arcidiocesana.
[01077-01.02]
NOMINA DELL’ARCIVESCOVO COADIUTORE DI PORT OF SPAIN (TRINIDAD E TOBAGO)
Il Papa ha nominato Arcivescovo Coadiutore dell’Arcidiocesi di Port of Spain (Trinidad e Tobago), il Rev.do P. Joseph Harris, C.S.Sp., Parroco e Vicario giudiziale per il clero nella medesima Sede Metropolitana.
Rev.do P. Joseph Harris, C.S.Sp.
Il Rev.do P. Joseph Harris, C.S.Sp., è nato in Trinidad il 19 marzo 1942. Nel 1969 è stato accolto nel noviziato dei Padri Spiritani in Quebec, Canada. Dopo il noviziato, ha emesso i voti temporanei ed è stato inviato in Irlanda per gli studi filosofici a Dublino. È successivamente ritornato a Trinidad per gli studi teologici, che ha svolto presso l’Holy Ghost Missionary College, e al Seminario di San Giovanni M. Vianney e dei Martiri Ugandesi in Trinidad.
Ha emesso i voti perpetui il 3 novembre 1967 ed è stato ordinato sacerdote il 14 luglio 1968.
È stato quindi inviato in Paraguay come missionario e nel 1984 negli Stati Uniti, per studi superiori. Si è laureato in "Church Administration" al Chicago Theological Union nel 1991. Nel 2003 si è recato in Canada per gli studi di Diritto Canonico (ad Ottawa), ottenendo la Licenza nel 2005.
Dopo l’Ordinazione ha ricoperto i seguenti incarichi: 1968-1982: Missionario in Paraguay; 1969 -1971: Vicario parrocchiale di Santa Catalina a Asunción; 1971-1981:Parroco di San José Obrero, Vila Morra, Asunción; 1973-1981: Superiore dei Padri Spiritani in Paraguay; 1973- 1974: Insegnante di Religione nel Collegio Christo Rey, Asunción; 1974-1980: Cappellano nazionale del movimento giovanile in Paraguay; Direttore spirituale del movimento Cursillos de Cristiandad; 1978-1980: Professore di studi religiosi all’Università di Privada, Colombia; 1978 -1981: Direttore del pre-noviziato dei Padri Spiritani in Paraguay; 1982-1987: Docente di Spiritualità, Co-direttore e poi Direttore della formazione nello Scolasticato dei PP. Spiritani a Chicago, negli Stati Uniti; 1987-1993: Direttore della formazione dei PP. Spiritani in Trinidad, ad Arouca; 1993-1999: Rettore del Seminario Regionale di San Giovanni M. Vianney e dei Martiri Ugandesi in Trinidad. 1997-2003: Superiore Provinciale dei PP. Spiritani in Trinidad; 1999- 2003: Parroco di San Antonio a Petit Valley in Trinidad; 2003-2005: Studi per la Licenza in Diritto Canonico alla St. Paul University a Ottawa in Canada; 2005-2006: Vice Vicario Giudiziale dell’Arcidiocesi di Port of Spain.
Dal 2006 è Vicario Giudiziale e Vicario per il clero dell’Arcidiocesi di Port of Spain, Parroco di Sant’Anna.
[01078-01.01]
SOLT finds Father Corapi GUILTY
Press Release Concerning Fr John Corapi from SOLT Regional Priest Servant
July 5, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: Rev. Gerard Sheehan, SOLT Regional Priest Servant Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Robstown, Texas
Fr. John A. Corapi submitted his resignation from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity ("SOLT") early in June. SOLT is a Society of Apostolic Life of Diocesan Right with its regional office in Robstown, Texas.
While SOLT does not typically comment publicly on personnel matters, it recognizes that Fr. John Corapi, through his ministry, has inspired thousands of faithful Catholics, many of whom continue to express their support of him. SOLT also recognizes that Fr. Corapi is now misleading these individuals through his false statements and characterizations. It is for these Catholics that SOLT, by means of this announcement, seeks to set the record straight.
A woman, well known to Fr. John Corapi, mailed SOLT a signed letter detailing allegations of 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.
After receiving the allegation, SOLT formed a three person fact-finding team to ensure that it handled this matter in accordance with canonical norms. The team included a priest-canonist, a psychiatrist, and a lawyer. Two were members of religious orders, and one was a lay Catholic. Two were men, and one was a woman. All three have national reputations and substantial experience in ecclesiastical processes related to priest disciplinary issues.
As the Society was engaging this team, Fr. Corapi filed a civil lawsuit against his principal accuser. He contended that she had defamed him and breached her contract. The contract, according to Corapi's lawsuit, contained a provision binding the woman to silence about him. He offered the woman $100,000 to enter this agreement.
SOLT's fact-finding team subsequently learned that Fr. Corapi may have negotiated contracts with other key witnesses that precluded them from speaking with SOLT's fact-finding team. Many of these witnesses likely had key information about the accusations being investigated and declined to answer questions and provide documents.
When the fact-finding team asked Fr. Corapi to dismiss the lawsuit, to forbear from foreclosing his mortgage, and to release her and other individuals from their contractual obligations to remain silent about him, he refused to do so and, through his canonical advocate, stated: "It is not possible for Father Corapi to answer the Commission's questions at this time."
SOLT's fact-finding team has acquired information from Fr. Corapi's e-mails, 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 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.
SOLT's prior direction to Fr. 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 Fr. John Corapi as fit for ministry.
Father Sheehan will not be available for comments as he is attending the SOLT General Chapter from July 5-23.
July 5, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: Rev. Gerard Sheehan, SOLT Regional Priest Servant Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Robstown, Texas
Fr. John A. Corapi submitted his resignation from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity ("SOLT") early in June. SOLT is a Society of Apostolic Life of Diocesan Right with its regional office in Robstown, Texas.
While SOLT does not typically comment publicly on personnel matters, it recognizes that Fr. John Corapi, through his ministry, has inspired thousands of faithful Catholics, many of whom continue to express their support of him. SOLT also recognizes that Fr. Corapi is now misleading these individuals through his false statements and characterizations. It is for these Catholics that SOLT, by means of this announcement, seeks to set the record straight.
A woman, well known to Fr. John Corapi, mailed SOLT a signed letter detailing allegations of 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.
After receiving the allegation, SOLT formed a three person fact-finding team to ensure that it handled this matter in accordance with canonical norms. The team included a priest-canonist, a psychiatrist, and a lawyer. Two were members of religious orders, and one was a lay Catholic. Two were men, and one was a woman. All three have national reputations and substantial experience in ecclesiastical processes related to priest disciplinary issues.
As the Society was engaging this team, Fr. Corapi filed a civil lawsuit against his principal accuser. He contended that she had defamed him and breached her contract. The contract, according to Corapi's lawsuit, contained a provision binding the woman to silence about him. He offered the woman $100,000 to enter this agreement.
SOLT's fact-finding team subsequently learned that Fr. Corapi may have negotiated contracts with other key witnesses that precluded them from speaking with SOLT's fact-finding team. Many of these witnesses likely had key information about the accusations being investigated and declined to answer questions and provide documents.
When the fact-finding team asked Fr. Corapi to dismiss the lawsuit, to forbear from foreclosing his mortgage, and to release her and other individuals from their contractual obligations to remain silent about him, he refused to do so and, through his canonical advocate, stated: "It is not possible for Father Corapi to answer the Commission's questions at this time."
SOLT's fact-finding team has acquired information from Fr. Corapi's e-mails, 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 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.
SOLT's prior direction to Fr. 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 Fr. John Corapi as fit for ministry.
Father Sheehan will not be available for comments as he is attending the SOLT General Chapter from July 5-23.
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