By Catherine Hockley
The Advertiser
September 20, 2011
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/monsignor-ian-dempsey-fires-back-at-senator-nick-xenophon/story-e6frea83-1226141238859
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| Monsignor Ian Dempsey, with members of his Brighton Parish, responding to Senator Xenophon's allegations at a media conference. Picture: Kelly Barnes |
THE Adelaide priest named in Federal Parliament as a rape suspect denies he had a sexual relationship with his accuser.
Monsignor Ian Dempsey said he had never had a sexual relationship with breakaway Anglican offshoot leader Archbishop John Hepworth, consensual or otherwise.
Monsignor Dempsey also told ABC radio he had not had any contact with police regarding the allegations.
When asked if he had ever had any sexual relationship with John Hepworth, Monsignor Dempsey said "absolutely not".
"With my integrity and background as a Catholic priest over many years ... I feel that I was honest enough not to stand down," he said.
Senator Nick Xenophon said he would not have used Parliamentary privilege to name Monsignor Dempsey last week had he known he was about to go on leave.
Monsignor Dempsey said he had no grudge against either Archbishop Hepworth or Senator Xenophon and would meet with Senator Xenophon if that would help matters.
Monsignor Dempsey's comments on radio this morning follow his scathing attack in a letter, printed in today's Advertiser, on the man who named him, Senator Nick Xenophon.
In the strongly worded letter, Monsignor Dempsey fiercely denies the "false" allegations and says Senator Xenophon has "irreparably smeared and denigrated my reputation".
Monsignor Dempsey, 68, tells the senator: "You have shot the wounded - you who proclaim to be an advocate of those who are hurting in our society."
"For over 40 years I have served with integrity and honour as a Catholic priest," he says. "I am innocent of these allegations which you used parliamentary privilege to name me."
Senator Xenophon yesterday said he had "acted in good faith". Monsignor Dempsey, who has received hate mail following his naming, also questions the credibility of his accuser, breakaway Anglican offshoot leader Archbishop John Hepworth.
"You have acted on the information of one person whom you state is credible. Time will give a different picture," he says.
Senator Xenophon last week dropped a bombshell, issuing an ultimatum to the Adelaide Catholic Archdiocese to stand down Monsignor Dempsey, or he would name him as the priest accused of raping Archbishop Hepworth more than 40 years ago.
A day later he followed through on his threat.
Monsignor Dempsey rejected the allegations, and Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson insisted the case had been managed appropriately.
Monsignor Dempsey is a former director-general of navy chaplains and vicar-general of the Adelaide Archdiocese, and has been awarded an Order of Australia. In his letter, Monsignor Dempsey says Senator Xenophon did not contact him, and refused offers from the Archdiocese for a briefing before naming him.
"I have not been charged with any offence, there is no police investigation," he said. "I have a reputation of honesty and integrity.
"You did not even bother to find out any matter relevant to the case except from one source, John Hepworth."
Monsignor Dempsey's letter sent yesterday has also been provided to the Senate president John Hogg and the chair of the Senate Privileges Committee. Monsignor Dempsey is also considering whether to ask the Senate for a right of reply.
Senator Xenophon yesterday said: "Every citizen has a right to access the procedures of the Senate including a right of reply and making a complaint to the Privileges Committee. The fundamental issue is the failure of the Adelaide Archdiocese of the Church to address the issues raised by Archbishop Hepworth over four years ago."
In his letter Monsignor Dempsey argues the allegations conflict with his character and reputation.
"I have emails from navy personnel whom I served with since 1972 affirming me as an honourable and trustworthy chaplain," he says.
"Hardly the accolade an alleged serial rapist would receive. You have chosen to shame me publicly in order to address a matter which I have no way of influencing.
"Despite your attack on my character, the people who know me, whether they be family, parishioners, navy personnel, priests and friends around Australia, know I am incapable of perpetrating the false accusations made against me."
Archbishop Hepworth first raised the allegations with the Archdiocese four years ago.
He went public in the past fortnight, claiming that the Archdiocese had failed to deal swiftly with the case.
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