Australian lawmaker raps Adelaide archbishop
September 16, 2011
Australian Senator Nick Xenophon, who drew controversy earlier this week by identifying the priest who was accused of molesting an Anglican prelate, has chided Adelaide's Archbishop Philip Wilson for his failure to suspend the accused cleric.
Archbishop Wilson has pointed out that the accused priest, Msgr. Ian Dempsey, has asserted his innocence, and an investigation is underway. The archbishop also stressed that the accusation against Msgr. Dempsey involved an incident involving an adult male, not a child.
"It just beggars belief there is a two-tier system of dealing with allegations of rape, whether the alleged complainant was a child or an adult," Senator Xenophon said.
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Further information:
- Xenophon critical of archbishop (CathNews)
- Accused Australian priest maintains innocence; lawmaker under fire for naming him (CWN, 9/15)
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