No Charge for Priest Accused by Bishop

By Verity Edwards
The Australian
June 5, 2013

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/no-charge-for-priest-accused-by-bishop/story-e6frgczx-1226658114070

THE Director of Public Prosecutions in South Australia has recommended that no charges be laid against Catholic priest Ian Dempsey, after he was accused of sexually assaulting a fellow seminarian in Adelaide in the 1960s.

John Hepworth, the global primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion until April last year, raised allegations in September 2011 that he had been abused by three Catholic priests while in an Adelaide seminary in the 1960s. Two of the priests have since died.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon used parliamentary privilege to name Monsignor Dempsey as one of the alleged perpetrators.

After a three-month investigation commissioned by the Catholic Church, which found no substance to the allegations, Bishop Hepworth reported the allegations to police.

It is understood that DPP Adam Kimber SC advised the police and both parties yesterday that there was insufficient evidence for a jury to have a reasonable chance of convicting Monsignor Dempsey and that no charges would be laid.When contacted late yesterday, Bishop Hepworth said he was considering the decision.