Father John Corapi's superiors confirmed and expressed grief over his
decision to leave his order and the priesthood following allegations of
misconduct.
We are “deeply saddened that Fr. Corapi is suffering distress” and
“further saddened by Fr. Corapi’s response to these allegations,” said
Fr. Gerry Sheehan, Regional Priest Servant of the Society of Our Lady of
the Most Holy Trinity.
In a June 20 statement, the Fr. Sheehan said the order “will do all
within its power to assist Fr. Corapi if he desires to seek a
dispensation from his rights and obligations as a priest and as a
professed member.”
The statement comes in response to Fr. Corapi's June 17 online
announcement that he's leaving the priesthood and starting a new
ministry under the name “The Black Sheep Dog.”
He explained that he feels unjustly accused, that the process of
clearing his name has been too sluggish and that there are authorities
in the Church who are intentionally trying to oust him.
His decision came while he was on administrative leave – which his
religious superiors placed him on this past March – after a 3-page
letter submitted by a former, unidentified female employee claimed that
Fr. Corapi took part in sexual encounters with several adult women and
engaged in habitual drug use.
Fr. Sheehan defended the suspension in his statement Monday, saying
that “due to the gravity of the accusation,” Fr. Corapi was put on
administrative leave “until such a time that the complaint could be
fully investigated.”
However, in the midst of the investigation, the society received a
letter from Fr. Corapi on June 3, “indicating that, because of the
physical, emotional and spiritual distress he has endured over the past
few years, he could no longer continue to function as a priest or a
member.”
Fr. Sheehan clarified that the order “had not arrived at any
conclusion as to the credibility of the allegations” and that Bishop of
Corpus Christi William Mulvey advised the society to proceed with their
own policies in the investigation as well as follow canonical
procedures.
“We reiterate that Fr. Corapi had not been determined guilty of any canonical or civil crimes,” Fr. Sheehan said.
“If the allegations had been found to be credible, the proper
canonical due process would have been offered to Fr. Corapi, including
his right to defense, to know his accuser and the complaint lodged, and a
fair canonical trial with the right of recourse to the Holy See.”
“We request your prayers and the intercession of the Blessed Mother
for the healing of Fr. Corapi and for any who have been negatively
affected by Fr. Corapi’s decision to end his ministry as a priest and a
member” of the society, he said.
Corpus Christi diocesan spokesman Marty Wind also issued a statement
June 20, saying the diocese “deeply regrets” Fr. Corapi's resignation.
Wind also said that the diocese is referring to the society from now on and won't comment on the details of the allegations.
“The investigation into the credibility of the allegations made
against him was being conducted by his religious order,” Wind said, “and
it would be inappropriate for the Diocese to make any comment on those
proceedings other than that they were in progress.”
“We pray for the well-being of Fr. Corapi, the Society of Our Lady of
the Most Holy Trinity, and for the consolation of the many people that
have been touched by his ministry over the years,” he added.
“We also
pray for those who have, in any way, been adversely impacted.”