Former Catholic priest who ‘inflamed’ situation before Hampden woman’s murder has been defrocked

A fired Catholic priest accused of “inflaming” the situation before a Hampden woman’s murder has been defrocked by the Vatican.

Molly DiLorenzo, a spokesperson for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, told the Portland Press Herald that Anthony Cipolle, 59, had requested laicization. That officially happened on April 22.

Cipolle can no longer call himself a priest or administer sacraments, according to the Press Herald.

Cipolle, who had been ordained in 2017, became involved with Rennee Henneberry Clark, who was killed by her brother-in-law Philip Clark in 2018.

Cipolle had helped Henneberry Clark leave her husband and rented a room from her in a house in Etna. He helped her collect her things from her home in Hampden, including tools and construction equipment that belonged to Clark, which he went to recover the night he shot her 10 times .

The priest testified he and Clark got into a fist fight that day just hours before Henneberry Clark’s death.

The judge in Philip Clark’s trial said Cipolle had an “opportunity” and “a moral obligation” to diffuse tensions, which began over accusations of stolen tools, but instead “inflamed” the situation.

“The role of Anthony Cipolle in this tragedy, I don’t think can be overstated,” Superior Court Justice William Stokes said when he sentenced Clark to 43 years for murder in 2020 . “He certainly did not help the situation at all, at least from my point of view. Cipolle clearly inserted himself into this whole situation.”

During the trial, Cipolle described Henneberry Clark as his best friend, but denied having a relationship with her.

Another woman later accused Cipolle of pressuring her into a sexual relationship despite his vow of celibacy. She went public with those accusations in an interview with the Press Herald last year.

Cipolle was removed from the ministry in May 2020 after the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland found Cipolle had “abused his position” in the church, violated the diocese’s code of ethics and “attempted to deceive investigators.” He had been ordained less than three years.