A former Sacramento priest and nationally known speaker has filed a lawsuit against the woman who accused him of sexual misconduct.
The Rev. John Corapi, who served as the director of Catholic Faith Formation in Sacramento in the 1990s, filed a lawsuit in the 11th Judicial District Court of Montana, where he now lives. He alleges that his accuser committed libel and that a letter she wrote to his religious superiors contained "numerous false, malicious and unprivileged statements" about the priest. He is suing for punitive and unspecified compensatory damages.
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests on Wednesday publicized Corapi's lawsuit, which was filed in April.
"I think it is reprehensible that he would sue her," said David Clohessy, national director of the victims rights group. "Clearly, he is trying to intimidate her." He said a priest suing his accuser is unusual.
Corapi could not be reached for comment.
Corapi is a popular and well-known Catholic speaker who appeared regularly on TV, where he celebrated Mass and delivered powerful homilies.
He was placed on administrative leave from the Corpus Christi Diocese in Texas after the accusations in March. The allegations did not involve minors, according to officials in the Corpus Christ Diocese. On June 17, Corapi resigned from public ministry.
In the lawsuit, Corapi said the success of his ministry depends on his reputation and his position of a priest in good standing.
Corapi was a well-liked priest who drew standing-room only crowds when he spoke. Sacramento diocesan officials told The Bee in March that they no longer have any connection to the priest.
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