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	Catholic Priest Denies Rape Claims Made by Senator Nick Xenophon Herald Sun September 13, 2011 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/senator-nick-xenophon-names-priest-who-is-claimed-to-be-at-the-centre-of-rape-allegations/story-fn7x8me2-1226136241006 UPDATE 3.15pm: THE Catholic priest who was last night named by Senator Nick Xenophon over sex abuse claims has today denied any wrongdoing. The priest had previously categorically denied raping Adelaide-based Anglican Archbishop John Hepworth decades ago. He further denied the claims in a brief statement read to journalists this afternoon. Flanked by a supportive parishioner and chair of the parish council, the priest reiterated his denial. "Firstly I wish to state I am aware of John Hepworth's unsubstantiated allegations against me through an inquiry instigated by the Archbishop of Adelaide. "As the inquiry is ongoing I have nothing further to say apart from denying the allegations." He said he was going on holiday this weekend, as arranged before the allegations surfaced over the weekend. The independent SA Senator, on Tuesday night lobbed a grenade at the Adelaide archdiocese, naming the respected local priest that he claims is at the centre of rape allegations. Senator Xenophon said the church only "has itself to blame''. Naming the priest in the Senate on Tuesday night, he said: "This creates a serious moral dilemma for me. It has put me as a representative of the people of SA in a situation where I have privileged information. "And the problem with privileged information is that it can be misused to benefit only a select few. "The question is do the people that attend this priest's parish have a right to know that serious allegations of sexual assault have been levelled at their priest? "If my family attended this church and if church leadership had refused to stand this priest down pending a proper investigation would I believe I had a right to know?' Senate president John Hogg warned Senator Xenophon about the purposes of parliamentary privilege before he spoke. Senator Xenophon said: "I don't provide this information to the Senate lightly. "But ultimately I believe given the inaction of the Catholic Church in SA, by not setting up a proper process or standing the priest down, they have created a situation where an appropriate duty of care has not been shown to the parish.'' The South Australian Catholic Church had earlier asked Mr Xenophon not to name the priest. “The priest concerned has categorically denied the allegations and has been a person of good standing in the archdiocese for a very long time,” the church said in a statement.
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