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	Monsignor David Cappo Has Resigned from His Government Posts By Ben Packham The Australian September 15, 2011 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/monsignor-david-cappo-has-resigned-from-his-government-posts/story-e6frg6nf-1226138088488 A SENIOR South Australian clergymen has resigned his appointment as chair of the Gillard government's new Mental Health Commission amid allegations he failed to appropriately deal with rape allegations against a fellow priest. David Cappo announced the move in a statement tonight, while rejecting suggestions he mishandled rape allegations by now-Archbishop John Hepworth against Monsignor Ian Dempsey. Monsignor Cappo, the vicar-general of the Adelaide Archdiocese, said he would not take up the post in the interests of the commission. "We have worked so hard to put mental health on the national agenda and I do not want, in any way, to have this progress jeopardised,'' he said. Monsignor Cappo also announced his resignation as deputy chair of the Australian Social Inclusion Board. He announced last week he would stand down as social inclusion commissioner in South Australia by the end of the year. Mental Health Minister Mark Butler said he respected Monsignor Cappo's decision but still believed he was the right person for the job. "I still believe that, given his background and expertise, Monsignor Cappo was the obvious choice to lead the Mental Health Commission,'' Mr Butler said. Mental health sources told The Australian yesterday they were "amazed'' at Monsignor Cappo's appointment, saying it was inappropriate for a religious representative to serve in the role given the church's attitude to gay and lesbian issues and sexual abuse. His resignation follows Senator Nick Xenophon's suggestion, under parliamentary privilege, that Monsignor Cappo had allegedly delayed the investigation of Archbishop Hepworth's complaint. On Tuesday night, Senator Xenophon named Monsignor Dempsey as the last surviving of three alleged abusers of Archbishop Hepworth. Senator Xenophon told the Senate that people of the parish had a right to know that the allegations had been outstanding for four years, and that the church leadership had failed to make "appropriate inquires'' or stand the priest down.
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