Think about Fr. Corapi’s complaint - that the canonical courts are a crap shoot and wouldn't give him a fair shake.
It's clear that he was serious about that statement, in that he has sought out a court system with a modicum of justice in its process.
Furthermore, think about what he must do in a civil trial where he is claiming libel. He must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the statements made against him by the woman are false (among other things). This is more than the mere requirement of successfully defending against a charge - where the decent standard is innocence until proven guilty, and a successful defense need not prove innocence but merely cast into reasonable doubt the fact of guilt.
As you say, it will bear further following down the road, but if he is successful in his suit, then all his accusers will be required to eat crow. And go to confession in a very big way.
sitetest
Good post — I agree completely.
May Fr. Corapi’s decision be a signal to other unjustly accused priests: they can fight back, and by sacrificing their privilege of priesthood so that they can fight libel, they can help the Church too.