Accused SA priest denies sex allegations

14 Sep 2011, 6:16 pm   -   Source: AAP
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The priest accused of raping Adelaide Archbishop John Hepworth decades ago has categorically denied the allegations.

A Catholic priest has categorically denied "unsubstantiated" allegations that he repeatedly raped a teenager who went on to become an Adelaide-based Anglican archbishop.

Flanked by supporters, Monsignor Ian Dempsey told reporters outside his Brighton Parish he had nothing to say beyond denying the claims.

"I categorically deny the allegations which I note are said to relate to events that occurred some 45 years ago, and they have nothing at all to do with underage people," he said on Wednesday.

Speaking under parliamentary privilege on Tuesday, independent senator for South Australia Nick Xenophon defied the church and named Monsignor Dempsey as one of three people - two priests and a trainee priest - accused of raping John Hepworth, the Adelaide Archbishop of the Traditional Anglican Communion, more than 40 years ago.

"The people of the Brighton Parish have a right to know that for four years allegations have been outstanding that priest Ian Dempsey raped John Hepworth and church leadership has failed to make appropriate inquiries into this matter," Senator Xenophon told parliament.

Adelaide Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson said Senator Xenophon's decision to publicly name the priest was unjust and unfair.

"The damage to the priest's reputation is obvious and severe and this serves to undermine the presumption of innocence," he told journalists on Wednesday.

He said the church had implored him not to name Monsignor Dempsey, saying it was not being tardy because Archbishop Hepworth had only this year decided to proceed with his claim.

Monsignor Dempsey on Wednesday told reporters: "Firstly I wish to state I am aware of John Hepworth's unsubstantiated allegations against me through an inquiry instigated by the Archbishop of Adelaide."

"As the inquiry is ongoing I have nothing further to say apart from denying the allegations."

He said he was going on holiday this weekend, as arranged before the allegations surfaced over the weekend.

Parishioner of 50 years Brian Crowe said church members were deeply distressed by the "astounding" allegations.

"He (Dempsey) has been a good friend to us," Mr Crowe told journalists on Wednesday.

"He is a good bloke and he is very highly regarded throughout the parish and well loved."

Archbishop Hepworth, 67, at the weekend said he was the victim of violent rapes beginning in 1960, when he was 15.

At the time Archbishop Hepworth, who is now the primate of the splinter group Traditional Anglican Communion in Adelaide, was studying to be a priest at a seminary.

Archbishop Hepworth has said he broke away from the Catholic Church because of the 12 years of abuse.

Claims against dead priests Ronald Pickering and John Stockdale were settled in Melbourne.

South Australian Police said they had spoken with Mr Hepworth in relation to the allegations and expected to speak with him again in the near future.

Senator Xenophon said his office had been swamped with calls since he named the priest, most of them supportive.

Others, including Liberal senator Simon Birmingham, SA Premier Mike Rann and Bishop Christopher Saunders labelled it a political stunt.

Mr Rann told SA parliament it was more about "publicity" for the senator than justice for the victim.

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