Monsignor Ian Dempsey Returns to Work Despite Police Sex-crimes Investigation

Herald Sun
September 22, 2012

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/priest-resumes-parish-duties/story-fndo471r-1226479288827

Mosignor Ian Dempsey has been cleared by the Catholic Church to resume parish duties. Picture: Chris Mangan Source: AdelaideNow

THE Catholic Church has cleared a priest accused of raping breakaway Anglican Archbishop John Hepworth more than 40 years ago to resume parish duties.

Monsignor Ian Dempsey has resumed duties at the Hallett Cove and Brighton parishes, despite an ongoing police sex-crimes investigation, The Australian reported today.

Vicar-General Philip Marshall defended the decision to allow Monsignor Dempsey to resume ministry on the basis an independent investigation by Michael Abbott QC last year found no substance to the allegations.

The Advertiser revealed earlier this month that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Adam Kimber, was considering whether to lay charges against Monsignor Dempsey.

Digital Pass - $5 weekend papers

"It was now evident that despite the fact the matter was referred to police as long ago as November 2011, it is obvious that any inquiries by police could take some time to be completed,", Father Marshall said.

"His return to ministry, which is founded on his right to the presumption of innocence, does not contravene any of the church's policies or any civil requirements, therefore there was no reason for him not to resume his parish duties."

Monsignor Dempsey was named under parliamentary privilege by senator Nick Xenophon last September as one of three alleged perpetrators who raped Archbishop Hepworth over a 10-year period while he was in the Adelaide seminary.