BishopAccountability.org
	Investigation Finds 'No Substance' to Priest Accusations 7news Adelaide, Yahoo!7 November 28, 2011 au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/12128961/investigation-finds-no-substance-to-priest-accusations/ [with video] An investigation by the Catholic Church has cleared Brighton priest Monsignor Ian Dempsey of claims he raped another priest, 40 years ago. The claims were aired in parliament by Senator Nick Xenophon in September, using parliamentary privilege. Mr Xenophon said in parliament at the time that the Catholic Church had not handled the claims properly. "Allegations have been outstanding that Priest Ian Dempsey raped John Hepworth and that Church leadership has failed to stand this priest down." In a written statement today, Archbishop Philip Wilson said the Catholic church had appointed Michael Abbott QC to investigate the claims. "I am satisfied that Mr Abbott examined all of the allegations raised by Archbishop Hepworth," Archbishop Wilson said. "He personally interviewed 29 witnesses, including many who were present at the time that the events were alleged to have occurred." "I am able to say that Archbishop Hepworth's claims against Monsignor Dempsey, which were analysed and examined in details, were comprehensively rejected by Mr Abbott." However, Senator Xenophon continues to criticize the handling of the claims, and said not one of the 29 witnesses in the 150 page report was John Hepworth. "The Catholic Church hierarchy should hang its head in shame with this latest episode in this farce of an enquiry," he told 7News. "Any inquiry that doesn't include speaking to the person who has made the allegations can't have any credibility."
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