The Australian
16 September 2011 2:00AM
Verity Edwards and Rebecca Puddy
Supporters of Monsignor Ian Dempsey gather at the Adelaide home of retired judge Brian Crowe, standing centre Picture: James Elsby Source: The Australian
INDEPENDENT senator Nick Xenophon has accused the head of the Adelaide Catholic archdiocese of double standards.
He made the claim for the archbishop refusing to stand down a priest accused of sex offences because the matter related to an adult, not a child.
Senator Xenophon has defended his decision to name Monsignor Ian Dempsey in federal parliament on Tuesday as one of three priests who allegedly raped Traditional Anglican Communion primate John Hepworth more than 40 years ago.
He said he was shocked to hear Archbishop Philip Wilson would not stand down Monsignor Dempsey, despite the fact he was facing abuse allegations and a possible police investigation.
“It just beggars belief there is a two-tier system of dealing with allegations of rape, whether the alleged complainant was a child or an adult,” Senator Xenophon said.
“The concern that I have is whether these are protocols of the Catholic Church or Adelaide archdiocese.”
He had called for an investigation into the church’s handling of the matter and spoken to federal Labor powerbroker Mark Butler.
Catholic archdiocese of Melbourne director of communications James O’Farrell said all complaints of clergy abuse were referred to the independent commissioner, regardless of whether they related to an adult or a child.
The commissioner then makes recommendations to the archbishop, including on whether an accused priest should be stood down.
“The archbishop has accepted and followed every such recommendation made by the independent commissioner,” Mr O’Farrell said.
Adelaide Anglican diocese archbishop Jeffrey Driver said his church would stand down accused clergy.
“The protocols for the Anglican diocese of Adelaide do provide for the standing down of clergy or church workers in some circumstances,” he said.
Baptist Church of SA executive minister Mike Mills said abuse allegations would first be referred to police before the church began its investigation, and the church would negotiate to stand the person down.
“In principle we would like people stood aside under any serious allegations, and it’s not just criminal, there are ethical standards as well,” Mr Mills said.
Under parliamentary rules, Monsignor Dempsey has the right to submit a written reply to the Senate, which would be considered by the privileges committee before being tabled in Hansard.
He is seeking legal advice on a possible right of reply.
Senate Clerk Rosemary Lang said organisations and individuals had exercised their rights of reply 60 times since 1988.
“People have appreciated that it’s a quick, cheap response and people get to have their say,” Dr Lang said.
Monsignor Dempsey refused to comment yesterday. His Brighton parishioners, angered by the way the matter has been handled, gathered to offer support at the home of former District Court judge Brian Crowe.
“I’m astounded at the allegations and how it has been sprung on the whole community on the pretext of concern over schoolchildren and parishioners,” Mr Crowe said.
“The allegations just don’t fit – I understand the allegation has been seriously made, it’s being considered by the archbishop and Monsignor David Cappo, and they should investigate it and take it seriously because they’re bound to.”
Parishioner Carmel Burns said she was disappointed Senator Xenophon was legally covered by parliamentary privilege.
Ah my, yet again my stomach churns. Look at that picture: the supporters of an alleged clerical sexual predator gathered around a retired judge!
By the grace of God may I never cease to be dumbfounded by Catholics who know nothing of prudence and constantly bury their heads deep in the sand. Prudence says the priest should be removed. Prudence says such allegations should be taken seriously.
What’s wrong with their heads?