Ethan Walker
Fr. John Corapi is a well-known Catholic priest and speaker who was embroiled in a scandal in 2011 when he was accused of sexual impropriety, drug abuse, and financial misconduct. He was suspended from priestly ministry and later announced that he was leaving the Catholic priesthood, citing a flawed process and authorities intentionally trying to oust him. While he denied the allegations and asserted his innocence, his public ministry and social media presence came to an end. As of recent years, there have been no official updates or appearances from Fr. Corapi, leaving his current status and activities unknown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | John Corapi |
| Occupation | Catholic Priest, Writer/Speaker, Evangelist |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Education | MA in Sacred Scripture, Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology |
| Ordained by | Pope John Paul II |
| Parish | Hudson, New York and Robstown, Texas |
| Allegations | Sexual Impropriety, Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Sexting, Affair with a Former Prostitute, Financial Misconduct |
| Status | Removed from Priesthood, Denies Allegations |
| Recent Updates | None, Last Active on Social Media in 2012 |
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What You'll Learn
Fr. John Corapi's resignation from the priesthood
Fr. John Corapi, a priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, announced his resignation from the priesthood on June 17, 2011, two days before his 20th anniversary of priestly ordination. The decision came while he was on administrative leave, which his religious superiors had placed him on in March 2011 following allegations of misconduct, including drug and alcohol abuse, "sexting", having an affair with a former prostitute, and violating his vow of poverty. Fr. Corapi denied the allegations and stated that the process was flawed, emphasizing that his suspension did not imply guilt.
In his announcement, Fr. Corapi expressed his feelings of being unjustly accused and that the process of clearing his name had been too slow. He also stated that there were authorities in the Church who were intentionally trying to remove him. He said, "I am not going to be involved in public ministry as a priest any longer. There are certain persons in authority in the Church that want me gone, and I shall be gone." Fr. Corapi's resignation was met with mixed reactions, with some supporting him and denouncing the allegations, while others lamented his decision to leave the priesthood.
Following his resignation, Fr. Corapi indicated that he would continue his ministry through other means, such as radio broadcasts and writing. He also announced the upcoming publication of his autobiography, "The Black Sheep Dog." However, by 2012, his website and social media accounts had been closed, and there was no official information available regarding his activities.
In 2021, it was unofficially reported that Fr. Corapi had "reconciled with his order," was living the life of a monk in a monastery, practicing "full-time prayer and penance", and would never speak in public again, by his own choice and that of his superior.
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Allegations of sexual impropriety and drug abuse
In 2011, Fr. John Corapi was accused of sexual impropriety and drug abuse. On Ash Wednesday of that year, he announced that the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) had ordered him to suspend his public ministry pending an investigation into these allegations. Fr. Corapi complied with the order to remain silent while the charges were investigated for a few months. However, he eventually brought the investigation to a halt by announcing his intention to leave the priesthood.
Fr. Corapi has denied the allegations against him, stating that the process was flawed and that he could not receive a fair and just hearing under the Church's present process. He has also refused to dismiss a civil lawsuit against his principal accuser, arguing that she committed slander and breach of contract.
According to a fact-finding team appointed by SOLT, Fr. Corapi did have "'sexual relations and years of cohabitation'" with a woman known to him as a prostitute when their relationship began. The team also found that he "'repeatedly abused alcohol and drugs,'" engaged in "sexting" activity with one or more women, and violated his vow of poverty by accumulating significant wealth and assets.
Fr. Corapi has expressed his desire to leave the Society and the priesthood, feeling unjustly accused and believing that certain authorities within the Church wanted him gone. He has indicated that he will not obey orders to return to the society's regional office or to dismiss his lawsuit. Instead, he has adopted the persona of "The Black Sheep Dog" and continues to speak on various topics, albeit with a more political emphasis.
While the specifics of Fr. Corapi's whereabouts and activities remain unknown as of 2021, the scandal surrounding him has been one of the biggest and most divisive stories within the Catholic community.
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Corapi's work as a Catholic speaker and author
John Anthony Corapi, formerly known as Fr. John Corapi, is an inactive Catholic priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (S.O.L.T.) in the United States. He was popular in the early 2000s for his regular appearances on Catholic television and radio shows. He also published instructional media, including books, DVDs, and websites, and made speaking appearances worldwide.
Corapi contributed regularly to the EWTN television and radio networks. In addition to his speaking engagements, he authored several books and created instructional DVDs and websites. He also had a significant online presence, with a website and accounts on Facebook and Twitter. However, due to allegations of misconduct in 2011, his website and social media accounts were closed by 2012. Despite the allegations, Corapi maintained his innocence and continued to produce audio and video programs from his studio in Montana.
In 2016, it was reported that Corapi had "reconciled with his order" and was living the life of a monk in a monastery, practising full-time prayer and penance. However, it was also stated that he would never speak in public again, by his own choice and that of his superior. As of 2021, no official information is available regarding Corapi's current activities or affiliation with his order.
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Corapi's suspension from priestly ministry
Father John Corapi was suspended from priestly ministry by his religious order, the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, shortly after allegations of misconduct first surfaced. The specific allegations against Fr. Corapi included drug and alcohol abuse, "sexting", having an affair with a former prostitute, and violating his vow of poverty by owning over $1 million in real estate, luxury vehicles, motorcycles, boats, and other valuable assets.
Fr. Corapi denied the allegations, stating, "They can't prove I'm guilty of the things alleged because I'm not, and they can't prove I'm innocent because that is simply illogical and impossible." However, his ministry was significantly impacted by the scandal. EWTN, the Eternal Word Television Network, removed his programs from their network and took his television program off the air. Santa Cruz Media, an extension of his ministry, also suspended sales and distribution of his materials.
In response to his suspension, Fr. Corapi announced that he would not obey his superior's order to relocate from Montana, and he resigned from the priesthood on June 17, 2011. He continued to produce audio and video programs from his studio in Montana, and his website and social media accounts remained active until 2012.
As of 2021, no official information is available regarding Fr. Corapi's current status. However, it was reported that he had "reconciled with his order" and was living the life of a monk in a monastery, practicing "full-time prayer and penance."
In the Catholic Church, suspension is a canonical penalty or censure, which can be partial or total. When a suspension is partial, a cleric is deprived of the use of the power expressed in the sentence. A total suspension, on the other hand, deprives a cleric of the exercise of every function and ecclesiastical rite and can include temporary deprivation of Communion.
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Corapi's life before priesthood
John Anthony Corapi was born on May 20, 1947, in Hudson, New York. He attended high school in Hudson, where he was an American football player and an undistinguished student.
Before joining the priesthood, Corapi had a prominent career as a wealthy businessman. However, his life took a turn, and he struggled with cocaine addiction, eventually becoming homeless. During this low point in his life, he turned to the Catholic Church and experienced a religious conversion on June 24, 1984, making his first confession in several years.
Following his conversion, Corapi entered Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut, in 1986 and earned a master's degree in Sacred Scripture. He joined the missionary community, the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, and on May 26, 1990, was ordained as a deacon by René Henry Gracida, Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas. He also earned an S.T.B. degree from the University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain.
Corapi's journey from addiction and homelessness to the priesthood inspired many. He shared his story in a series of sermons called "The Darkness Will Not Prevail", and his conversion story gained him a widespread audience.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Fr. John Corapi is an American Catholic. He was born and grew up in Hudson, New York.
Fr. Corapi is a well-known speaker and author who has appeared regularly on Catholic television and radio programs. He gained a widespread audience with his conversion story. After a prominent career as a wealthy businessman, he became addicted to cocaine, eventually becoming homeless. He later returned to the Catholic Church and was ordained a priest.
In 2011, Fr. Corapi was accused of sexual impropriety, drug abuse, and financial misconduct. He was suspended from priestly ministry and later announced that he was leaving the Catholic priesthood. He denied the allegations and continues to assert his innocence.
Yes, Fr. Corapi continued his radio work and speaking engagements, adopting the persona of the Black Sheep Dog. He also continued to sell his CDs, DVDs, and books through Santa Cruz Ministries.
As of 2021, no official information is available about Fr. Corapi's recent activity. There are speculations about his whereabouts and whether he is still affiliated with the Catholic Church.
