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	Priest Cancels Rockford, Dekalb Stops over Allegations Rockford Register Star March 23, 2011 http://www.rrstar.com/updates/x13296072/Priest-cancels-Rockford-DeKalb-stops-over-allegations The Rev. John Corapi has been placed on administrative leave and has canceled scheduled stops in Rockford and DeKalb following allegations of drug use and sexual misconduct. Corapi, a nationally known Catholic priest, was set to be the only speaker at a Catholic Charities Diocese of Rockford fundraising event Saturday at the Northern Illinois University Convocation Center. Corapi, 63, also was to be in Rockford on Friday meeting with sponsors of the event. Corapi, in a three-page letter from a former employee sent to several bishops, was accused of abusing drugs as well as having sexual encounters with multiple women. “Obviously, we are devastated,” Frank Vonch, Catholic Charities director, said in a news release posted on the Convocation Center’s website. “We have been working for almost two years building support for this event, and we have been looking forward to a very special day. “Of course, we’re also sorry for the inconvenience this is to the many people who stepped up to support and attend the program, and now we are focused on working out the details to see that everyone gets a full refund of their donations.” Corapi, who is known for his work on television and radio, is an ordained member of the Texas-based Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. He disputed the allegations in a post on his personal website. “There seems to no longer be the need for a complaint to be deemed ‘credible’ in order for Church authorities to pull the trigger on the Church’s procedure,” he said in a statement. “All of the allegations in the complaint are false, and I ask you to pray for all concerned.” Corapi became a priest when he was 44. According to this website, Corapi went “From small town boy to the Vietnam era U.S. Army, from successful businessman in Las Vegas and Hollywood to drug addicted and homeless, to religious life and ordination to the priesthood by Pope John Paul II ... .” A call to Catholic Charities has not yet been returned. Details on how to get refunds for tickets to Saturday’s event have not yet been finalized. Anyone with questions is asked to call Catholic Charities at 815-387-3374 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays or the NIU Convocation Center at 815-752-6800 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.
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