Priest Accused by Archbishop Hepworth – Future Up in the Air
June 19, 2012 11 Comments
This is so sad. The whole thing.
The priest accused of raping Archbishop John Hepworth 40 years ago remains suspended from duties six months after the allegations were raised.
Monsignor Ian Dempsey, the parish priest at Hallett Cove and Brighton has been unable to return to his work because the police investigation remains open.
An Adelaide priest, speaking to The Advertiser on the condition on anonymity, has criticised the Adelaide Archdiocese’s handling of the incident, saying Monsignor Dempsey, Archbishop Hepworth and the Church had all suffered as a result.
Monsignor Dempsey’s suspension comes despite the fact a church investigation cleared him of the allegations in November last year.
The results of that investigation prompted breakaway Anglican Archbishop Hepworth to raise the matter with police.
The priest said Archbishop Philip Wilson’s failure to act when Archbishop Hepworth first made the allegations more than four years ago set into motion a chain of events that caused damage to all involved.
Monsignor Dempsey was last year named in Federal Parliament as an alleged rapist by Independent Nick Xenophon. “They bungled the entire procedure and as a consequence nobody is the better,” the priest said. “Dempsey claims to be innocent, but he can’t come back to ministry. He remains suspended.
“His reputation could have been salvaged if four years ago they would have followed a procedure.
“When you don’t follow a procedure you are bound to make mistakes and grave errors.” Police have refused to confirm whether there is an ongoing investigation or even if they ever opened an investigation.
Prominent Adelaide businessman Graham Spurling, a parishioner and close friend of Monsignor Dempsey, said he was extremely frustrated that the case had not yet been resolved, leaving Monsignor Dempsey’s future in limbo.
About Fr Stephen Smuts
As I understand it, the suspension arises precisely because Hepworth went to the police, which he did with his little tame media pack following him in full blaze of publicity. If he had made a private report, chances are the Archdiocese wouldn’t even know of it until the investigation (if any) began. Michael Abbott QC explicitly found that there had been no fault in the procedures adopted by Abp Wilson. The only thing ‘wrong’ was that little Johnny Hepworth didn’t get the result he wanted. So he went bleating to the police in full view, either knowing full well or else with no regard for what the consequences would be for Msgr Dempsey under canon law.
The question is, who is the unnamed priest who raises it again now. A friend of Dempsey? Not likely . . .
Speaking of canon law, whatever happened to those dispensation thingies–surely this would be a case for one. Or were they abolished along with Limbo?
By the way, the phrase spake by Mr Anonymous
“His reputation could have been salvaged if four years ago they would have followed a procedure”
jumps right out at me. Would he have been more innocent 4 years ago than what he is now? Sounds very much like he was set up!!!! Woe to the ones who speak false witness!
When we do not have the ability to affect this situation, the only sure thing we can do is that we must pray for these people who are clothed in scandal, because it is our duty to do what Christ had done, that is, to strive towards the salvation of all people, even those who spat on the face of Christ and put Him to death on the cross; we must pray that those who have any ability to affect this situation will have the spiritual strength to act morally, and those who have sinned will repent and bring themselves to the mercy of God so that they may be forgiven and enjoy being reunited with Him.
All the holy English martyrs, pray for us!
I’m still here and keeping an open eye. Recent events have rid me of all the illusions I had, and I still await a couple more signs. That is irrelevant to this story. We all have “blood” on our hands, and it is not our role to destroy our former Primate. I have just learned than Bishop Elliott has thanked him in public for much of the work that led to Anglicanorum coetibus.
I also feel sorry for Fr Dempsey. Either the law should prove his guilt and punish him or exonerate him. It is unbearable for a man to be neither innocent or guilty, but under suspicion. No doubt, we will be hearing of things, given that this matter has come up in the news right now. Something is brewing…
Healing Fr… Healing is what is needed above all, and somehow, that comes (best) through closure…
I too believe that Bishop Hepworth played a significant part in the creation of AC. How much, and whether they would have happened without him, are questions that are, I think, irrelevant. God writes straight with crooked lines, as they say, and it is not for us to speculate overmuch on how He uses His instruments.
The present situation is causing incalculable damage, to Bishop Hepworth and his family, Mgr Dempsey and his family (presumably he has siblings and cousins), members of the TAC, members of the Catholic Church, non-Catholics, even non-Christians. In fact it’s hard to think of a group of people who are not, somehow, damaged by this spectacular failure of the Church – and by the Church, I mean all of us who profess to be Christian. For those of us – the overwhelming majority – who are on the periphery, the only thing to do is to fast, to pray, and to give alms, and to plead with our Creator to have mercy on us.
On which point, Fr Anthony, in my last reply to you on here I was unjustifiably rude, and I apologise. Had I replied after reflection, instead of in the heat of my frustration, I would have spoken more charitably.
All sins forgiven… We all need to think carefully before hitting the “send” button.
I would like to see all “send” and “post” buttons replaced with the text “YES! I want to make a complete eejit of myself”. It would concentrate the mind wonderfully.
Either something’s brewing or an Adelaide priest speaking on condition of anonymity had reason to dredge up this old but in its way continuing story in order to cast an unfavourable light on Abp Wilson.
Revenge by the unidentified priest for being rapped over the knuckles for conduct unbecoming of a priest? In that case we all know the name of Mr Anonymous!
Reminder