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	Church Dismisses SA Sexual Abuse Claims By Alina Eacott ABC November 28, 2011 http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2011/s3378642.htm The Catholic Church has dismissed sexual abuse allegations against a South Australian priest named in the Senate by Nick Xenophon. Transcript ALI MOORE, PRESENTER: The Catholic Church in Adelaide says allegations of sex abuse against a serving priest raised in the Senate by Nick Xenophon have been found to have no substance. But the Church won't release a QC's report into the case, saying it contains sensitive material and Senator Xenophon has accused the church of bias. Alina Eacott reports from Adelaide. ALINA EACOTT, REPORTER: Adelaide priest Monsignor Ian Dempsey was named as an alleged rapist in the Senate by Nick Xenophon in September. He says he's relieved a QC's report has cleared him. IAN DEMPSEY, CATHOLIC PRIEST: It's been a very long few months since those accusations became public through the Senate and it's been a very trying and difficult time. ALINA EACOTT: The naming of Ian Dempsey by Senator Xenophon came after breakaway Anglican Archbishop John Hepworth claimed he'd been abused as a young man by three Catholics, two of whom have died. The Senator justified the naming of Ian Dempsey as the third abuser, saying the Church had had four years to investigate John Hepworth's story. The Catholic Church appointed senior Adelaide QC Michael Abbott to conduct an inquiry. Archbishop Phillip Wilson says Mr Abbott interviewed 29 people and examined many documents. PHILLIP WILSON, ARCHBISHOP (female voiceover): "Mr Abbott found there is no substance to the allegations made by Archbishop Hepworth." Mr Abbott also cleared the Church of undue delay. But Senator Xenophon says John Hepworth took no part in the inquiry because he did not agree with the choice of Michael Abbott. NICK XENOPHON, INDEPENDENT SENATOR: Any inquiry that doesn't include speaking to the person who's made the allegations can't have any credibility. ALINA EACOTT: Archbishop Hepworth was not available to comment on camera, but is understood to be seeking legal advice on his options. Alina Eacott, Lateline.
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