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	Cappo Steps down Amid Rape Furore Sydney Morning Herald September 15, 2011 http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/cappo-steps-down-amid-rape-furore-20110915-1kbki.html In a tumultuous week for the Catholic Church, a senior South Australian priest has quit a key federal government post amid criticisms he was slow to investigate rape allegations. Monsignor David Cappo was appointed by the federal government as the first chairman of the new Mental Health Commission, the body to lead national mental health reform, a key focus of the Gillard government. But on Thursday Monsignor Cappo advised the government that he would not take up the position and also resigned from the Australian Social Inclusion Board. Independent Senator Nick Xenophon sparked controversy earlier this week when he criticised the church's handling of rape allegations by Anglican Archbishop John Hepworth dating back 40 years, which were raised in 2007. Senator Xenophon subsequently used parliamentary privilege to name Monsignor Ian Dempsey as the alleged rapist after the church refused to capitulate to calls to stand him down. Monsignor Dempsey vigorously denies the allegations. Senator Xenophon called on the government to reflect on Monsignor Cappo's appointment to the mental health post pending a review of the way the church handled the rape allegations. "I respect Monsignor Cappo's decision, however, I still believe there needs to be a fair and independent assessment of the handling of Archbishop Hepworth's allegations by the Adelaide Archdiocese of the Catholic Church," Senator Xenophon told AAP on Thursday. If Monsignor Dempsey had stood down and gone on leave while the allegations were investigated the church would "have avoided a course of events," Senator Xenophon said. "This is a case where I regret that the Catholic Church did not see fit to adopt a different course and that was to ensure that there was an appropriate investigation," he said. Monsignor Cappo announced he would not take up the federal government role as planned and would depart as SA's commissioner for social inclusion next month instead of a planned December departure. "While I emphatically reject any suggestion that I or the church handled the complaint by John Hepworth with anything other than proper and due diligence, this matter has the potential to distract from the important work of the newly formed Mental Health Commission," Monsignor Cappo said in a statement on Thursday. "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." South Australian Premier Mike Rann said Monsignor Cappo's decision not to take up his national role was a tragedy for Australians living with mental illness. "They have lost a real champion for the cause at the helm of mental health reform nationally," Mr Rann said. "This is a victory for trial by allegation and for those who prefer the politics of smear and self-aggrandisement over social justice. "What has happened this week in federal parliament will unfortunately force people of talent and integrity to question public service in the current poisonous environment, where the politics of denigration reigns supreme." Federal Mental Health Minister Mark Butler said Monsignor Cappo's decision was a difficult one and not one taken lightly but was respected by the government. "I still believe that, given his background and expertise, Monsignor Cappo was the obvious choice to lead the Mental Health Commission," Mr Butler said in a statement. "I would like to take the opportunity to thank Monsignor Cappo for the strong leadership he displayed in the national mental health reform process and his long-term commitment to those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community." Opposition mental health spokeswoman Concetta Fierravanti-Wells said it was no surprise Monsignor Cappo stepped down from the position. "The appointment of Monsignor Cappo had caused quiet concern in the sector as the role is seen as needing experience and the ability to deliver at the highest levels of government and the public sector," she said.
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