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	Priest's Rape Claims Have "No Substance" By Mark Metherell The Age November 29, 2011 http://www.theage.com.au/national/priests-rape-claims-have-no-substance-20111128-1o3c6.html AN INQUIRY into allegations against a senior Catholic priest that he had raped a seminarian 40 years ago, had found ''no substance'' to the claims, Adelaide's Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson has announced. The allegations by Archbishop John Hepworth, of the breakaway Traditional Anglican Communion, were revealed in the Senate in September. Senator Nick Xenophon named Monsignor Ian Dempsey, an Adelaide parish priest and former head navy chaplain, as John Hepworth's assailant. Priest's rape claims have 'no substance' Mark Metherell November 29, 2011 Ads by Google Self Managed Super (SMSF) www.esuperfund.com.au Take Control of Your Super Special Offer Ends Soon. Apply Now! AN INQUIRY into allegations against a senior Catholic priest that he had raped a seminarian 40 years ago, had found ''no substance'' to the claims, Adelaide's Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson has announced. The allegations by Archbishop John Hepworth, of the breakaway Traditional Anglican Communion, were revealed in the Senate in September. Senator Nick Xenophon named Monsignor Ian Dempsey, an Adelaide parish priest and former head navy chaplain, as John Hepworth's assailant. Advertisement: Story continues below Archbishop Wilson said yesterday that the inquiry by Michael Abbott, QC, had been a very extensive investigation into every aspect of Archbishop Hepworth's allegations. The investigation included interviews with 29 witnesses, many of whom were present at the time the events were alleged to have occurred, and a large number of documents including those dating back to the relevant period. "I am satisfied that Mr Abbott examined every aspect of the allegations raised by Archbishop Hepworth," Archbishop Wilson said. "Based on the findings made in the report, and the evidence upon which it is based, I intend to accept the findings in full." He would not release the full report as it contained ''significant personal and sensitive information which all parties are entitled to have respected''. Senator Xenophon yesterday dismissed the inquiry result as ''bizarre'', saying it had failed to interview Archbishop Hepworth, who had opposed Mr Abbott's appointment. The lack of transparency ''confirms my fears about the appalling way the South Australian Catholic Church has treated John Hepworth''. Archbishop Wilson said Mr Abbott had found there was no basis to criticism aired by Senator Xenophon about the Archdiocese's handling of the complaint.
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