702 ABC Sydney

Updated November 29, 2011 15:29:35

Archbishop John Hepworth claims abuse by Catholic priest Monsignor Ian Dempsey decades ago when they were training for the priesthood.

A Catholic Church-commissioned investigation of the claims by Michael Abbott QC has cleared Monsignor Dempsey of any wrongdoing.

Archbishop Hepworth has now been to police in Adelaide to make a complaint.

“I am formally requesting the police to examine the matter,” he told reporters.

“It was never my intention to go beyond the processes of the church.

“I very much regret that I’m having to do that.”

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon used Parliament back in September to name the priest involved in the allegations and has condemned the findings of the church’s own investigation.

He argues it is not credible because Archbishop Hepworth refused to take part.

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‘No substance’ to claims against Catholic priest

ABC News Australia

Updated November 29, 2011 09:36:21

The Catholic Church in Adelaide says an investigation has found there is no substance to allegations made by Traditional Anglican Archbishop John Hepworth against a parish priest.

Archbishop Hepworth has alleged he was sexually abused when he was a young man by Monsignor Ian Dempsey.

The investigation was conduced by prominent Adelaide lawyer Michael Abbott QC.

The Catholic Church also says Mr Abbott found there was no basis for any criticism of how it dealt with Archbishop Hepworth’s allegations.

Monsignor Dempsey says he is relieved at the outcome of the investigation.

He says it has been the most difficult time of his life.

“Very much relieved that the truth has finally come out and justice has been served,” he said.

“It was a very extensive inquiry by Mr Abbott and it has come out with the truth, for which I am very relieved.”

But independent Senator Nick Xenophon says the investigation is not credible because Archbishop Hepworth refused to take part.

Senator Xenophon named Monsignor Dempsey in Parliament in September because of what he claimed were delays by the Catholic Church in responding to the allegations.

“This inquiry should not have been progressed unless there was a fair and robust and transparent process that John Hepworth was comfortable,” he said.

“John Hepworth participated fully in the Melbourne process over allegation involving other priests.

“That process was fair, chalk and cheese compared with the way the Adelaide archdiocese has dealt with these particular complaints.”

Archbishop Hepworth says he refused to take part in the Abbott investigation for a number of reasons, including that he did not know its terms of reference and that he was expected to pay for his expenses.

The Catholic Church says it is not making the investigation findings public because they contain sensitive information.

Michael Abbott QC has defended his investigation and says his conclusions were justified.

“We’ve interviewed all these witnesses, we’ve looked at all these records, we’ve endeavoured to tease and examine all the claims and allegations that Archbishop Hepworth has made,” he said.

Obviously I would have wanted him to participate but the act that he’s now saying I haven’t participated therefore the investigation’s flawed to me is, well I don’t agree with that.”

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Breakaway archbishop urged to quit

ABC News

Updated September 27, 2011 07:53:55

Alan Atkinson

It follows controversy over the archbishop’s claim he was sexually abused by Catholic priests in his youth, decades ago.

Archbishop Hepworth is world primate of a breakaway group from the Anglican church which has members in several countries including the United States.

He is hoping his church will be allowed to join with the Catholic Church, of which he was once a member.

Archbishop Hepworth says this reconciliation is one reason he went public with his story of having been raped by Catholic priests.

“That was what was driving me. My twin task as a church leader dealing with the Pope, and my own personal story,” he said.

But an affiliate church in the US opposes the move for unity and has now called on Archbishop Hepworth to resign as primate.

A spokesman for the Anglican Church in the US says up to 90 per cent of members are against joining Rome and there has been a lack of consultation.

In a letter to John Hepworth, the American clergy writes: “It is increasingly obvious to us … that recent developments have made it impossible for you to continue to function effectively as primate of the traditional Anglican communion”.

The letter does not mention the sex claims or the naming of a priest by Independent Senator Nick Xenophon in Federal Parliament.

But it says the church needs “focused leadership at this critical time”.

“For the good of the church and your family, as well as for your own emotional, physical, and spiritual health, we prayerfully urge you to consider submitting your resignation forthwith,” it says.

Archbishop Hepworth says he is yet to receive any letter.

He says some in the church in the US do not want religious unity, but they are in the minority.

“The primate of the traditional Anglican communion is elected by his bishops and at this stage I retain the confidence of the bishops,” he said.

“If a group of clergy in the US have got disgruntled that worries me, but it’s not actually a global movement.”