Controversial Anglican Archbishop John Hepworth has denied offering to drop demands for action over rape allegations against a senior Adelaide priest.
Hepworth hit out at reports he was considering dropping his claim, saying there has been no change in the standoff between both parties.
Archbishop Hepworth claims he was raped by the priests over a period of 12 years, starting when he was in the seminary in Adelaide in 1960.
It was reported by Adelaide Now that Hepworth said he would stop pursuing allegations against Monsignor Ian Dempsey if the Adelaide Archdiocese recognised he was raped by two other priests and would ask Archbishop Philip Wilson to adjourn it if his other claims were recognised and the Dempsey accusation accepted “in good faith”.
The Adelaide Archdiocese has hired Michael Abbott QC to investigate the claims, but Hepworth has refused to participate.
“There is a stalemate and I’m hopeful that we can find some way to break through,” Hepworth said.
“There’s no good faith and I’m still trying to find some way forward.
“At this stage their solicitors are continuing to demand that I take part in the Abbott inquiry but we are continuing to state that we can’t because we have not been given enough information to have confidence in it and we have objected to Abbott doing it on substantial grounds.”
A spokesperson for the Adelaide Archdiocese confirmed the investigation by Mr Abbott was continuing.
Monsignor Dempsey denies the allegations of rape.
Sources