BishopAccountability.org
	New Inquiry Move By Nigel Hunt Sunday Mail December 9, 2007 http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22893608-2682,00.html The conduct of disgraced priest John Mountford may be fully examined for the first time by an internal Anglican Church inquiry. If the Professional Standards Committee inquiry proceeds, it may result in Mountford being stripped of his priesthood – preventing him from acting as a priest ever again. Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide Jeffrey Driver has formally asked the Professional Standards Committee, which is an independent body within the diocese, to "consider whether it is now appropriate" for an inquiry into Mountford's conduct to be held. If the committee agrees, which is highly likely, it would launch the first formal inquiry into allegations the former St Peter's College chaplain sexually abused students at the school in 1991 and 1992. Its report may then be forwarded to the Adelaide Diocese's Professional Standards Board, which would then make a determination on any action against Mountford. The action, which would need to be approved by Archbishop Driver, can range from placing conditions on his role within any Anglican church in Australia should he ever be re-employed – which is highly unlikely – to a recommendation he be stripped of his Holy Orders. If such a move were taken it would prevent him working as an ordained priest in any location throughout the world. Archbishop Driver revealed to the Sunday Mail he had written to the PSC requesting it "consider" the move now that all criminal proceedings against Mountford had ceased. "Once it became clear there were no ongoing criminal matters being pursued with Mountford I wrote to the Professional Standards Committee of the diocese asking whether it was the view of the committee an investigation proceed under the protocols of the diocese," he said. "I have asked them to make a determination. "Because those processes are at arm's length from the church they will proceed in their own way and I will be advised in due course of any outcomes. "If it is possible, I believe it would be good the matter is investigated, but this is not something that I should influence directly." All criminal charges against Mountford were withdrawn by Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras QC in August following concerns about the mental health of victim "David". David has since stated he is again willing to give evidence against Mountford if any other victims come forward and fresh charges are laid against him. Mountford was facing five counts of indecent assault, two of procuring the commission of an act of gross indecency and one of unlawful sexual intercourse in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of David when he was a 13-year-old student at St Peter's College in 1991 and 1992. Archbishop Driver said while there were criminal matters pending against Mountford, who is now in Britain, internal church inquiries could not proceed. "It was inappropriate for it to run parallel to a criminal investigation," he said. Archbishop Driver would not express a personal view of Mountford's conduct – including the former chaplain's bitter verbal outburst at his victim minutes before leaving Adelaide in August – but said he viewed "this matter seriously enough to write to the PSC". Archbishop Driver said he had not been approached for a reference by any organisation overseas concerning Mountford. "If a person is found to be unfit for office through a board constituted in the Diocese of Adelaide, it would be my view it would be inappropriate for that person to exercise a ministry anywhere in the Anglican community," he said. He believed "resolution" of the case was "important for all involved" including survivors of abuse and St Peter's College itself. St Peter's College principal Phillip Grutzner said on Friday it would "fully co-operate" with the investigation and ensure "all information is readily available". "In addition to that, we will continue to offer our care to those caught up in these events which are of great concern to us," he said. Mr Grutzner said PSC inquiries examined "abhorrent behaviour among clergy" and while he believed victims of such behaviour would be pleased with an independent inquiry, he felt "they would get far greater closure by receiving pastoral care, support and professional counselling". While the PSC investigation cannot run parallel to a criminal case, it is not affected by the ongoing civil case involving Mountford's victim David and St Peter's College. David yesterday told the Sunday Mail he would support any internal church inquiry.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.