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	Popular Priest with Robstown Connection Steps down Amid Sex Inquiry The Caller June 20, 2011 http://www.caller.com/news/2011/jun/20/popular-priest-with-robstown-connection-steps/ A Catholic priest who is a member of a Robstown-based religious order has indicated he will leave the priesthood amid an investigation into sex allegations from a former employee. The Rev. John Corapi, who has denied the allegations, has a nationwide following via television, Internet and in-person speaking appearances. He belongs to the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, headquartered in Robstown, and his resume includes work for St. Anthony’s Parish in Robstown, though it’s not clear when he worked there. Officials from the parish could not be reached for comment. In March, the former employee sent letters to several bishops accusing Corapi of “everything from drug addiction to multiple sexual exploits with her and several other adult women,” Corapi wrote in a statement on his website. The priest was placed on administrative leave while the religious order investigated the credibility of the claims, said Marty Wind, spokesman for the Diocese of Corpus Christi. Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey in Corpus Christi was among those who received the letter. It’s not clear whether the religious order will continue investigating. Corapi’s superior in the order, the Rev. Gerard Sheehan, issued a written statement Monday saying he was saddened by Corapi’s response to the allegations, but Sheehan could not be reached for further comment. In a previous statement in March, Sheehan said “the claim of misconduct does not involve minors and does not arise to the level of criminal conduct” and therefore would not be referred to police. Corapi has criticized Catholic Church policies for handling abuse allegations against priests. The policies were enacted in response to cases of sexual abuse of minors. On Friday, Corapi posted a message on his website saying he no longer will be involved in public ministry as a priest and reiterating his complaints about the way the church treats accused priests. “There are certain persons in authority in the church that want me gone, and I shall be gone,” he said. He will continue speaking to public audiences under the name “Black Sheep Dog,” he wrote, but he did not specify what topics he would cover. Corapi was ordained in the Corpus Christi diocese in 1991, at age 44, but has been living in Montana, where he operates Santa Cruz Media, the nonprofit corporation that serves as the vehicle for his Internet and television ministries. Corapi’s ministry gained a following in part because of his conversion story. He is a Vietnam-era Army veteran and was a businessman in Las Vegas and Hollywood who ended up homeless and addicted to drugs before he pursued religion.
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