A day after an investigation by prominent Adelaide QC, Michael Abbott, found there was no substance to an allegation of rape against one of its senior clerics, the complainant, Traditional Anglican Bishop John Hepworth has filed a complaint with the South Australian police.
Bitterly disappointed with the Church investigation, Hepworth said he had no choice but to turn to the police.
He says he feels betrayed by the Adelaide Catholic Archdiocese, whom he first approached four years ago.
“It was never my intention to go beyond the processes of the church,” Hepworth said.
“I very much regret that I am having to do that but I have been left with no option but to ask the police to examine the matters that I have put before the church.”
Mr Abbott yesterday defended the credibility of his inquiry.
“Archbishop Hepworth chose not to make any written statement; he chose not to put anything in writing; he chose not to give me any list of witnesses to contact; he chose not to participate – full stop,” he told The Australian.
“On the evidence that I had, I think my findings are very comprehensive.”
A spokeswoman for the archdiocese said the church had encouraged Hepworth to take his allegations to police for the past four years.
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