Home // September 12-16 2011 > Mons Cappo resigns from mental health role

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Mons Cappo resigns from mental health role

Published: September 16, 2011

Monsignor David Cappo

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Adelaide Archdiocese Vicar General Monsignor David Cappo has resigned as chairman of the new commission overseeing mental health services, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Monsignor Cappo made the announcement Thurday. He rejected claims this week he failed to act on rape allegations against a priest, and said the controversy could affect the work he was tasked with.

"While I emphatically reject any suggestion that I or the Church handled the complaint by John Hepworth with anything other than proper and due diligence, this matter has the potential to distract from the important work of the newly formed Mental Health Commission," Monsignor Cappo said in a statement.

"I cannot allow that to occur."

The Sydney Morning Herald report said that the development follows claims by Senator Nick Xenophon that Monsignor Cappo had failed to act in the four years since Traditional Anglican Communion Archbishop John Hepworth informed him of his claim that he had been raped by another priest more than 40 years ago.

The Archbishop of Adelaide, Philip Wilson, has strongly defended Monsignor Cappo, and denied the claims he failed to act.

Monsignor Cappo also quit as deputy chairman of the Australian Social Inclusion Board.

The Mental Health Minister, Mark Butler, said: ''I still believe that, given his background and expertise, Monsignor Cappo was the obvious choice to lead the Mental Health Commission.''

The South Australian Premier, Mike Rann, said the resignation was ''a real tragedy for ... Australians living with mental illness''.

FULL STORY AND MEDIA RELEASE

Cleric quits public roles over link to rape claim (Sydney Morning Herald/Telegraph)

Statement from Monsignor Cappo

PHOTO CREDIT

Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide


 

 

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Recent Comments

  1. Odd that a cleric would accept a role in the public service when there would be a high probability of future government policy - in opposition to the Church's position - would create a perceived conflict of interest, notwithstanding the Monsignor's abilities and suitability for the position.

    Posted By: Graham

  2. Well, Senator Xenophon and the Murdoch press have their scalp now. The Murdoch press, in particular, have been after Msgr Cappo ever since he agreed to be social inclusion commissioner for the SA Labor government.

    Posted By: Paul Mees

  3. Under the circumstances, sadly Mgr. Cappo had no choice but to resign.
    As a result of Senator Xenophon's clumsy handling of John Hepworth's claim, the National Mental Health Services have been deprived of the knowledge and wisdom of a very highly respected expert in the field of mental health and that is something Australia can currently ill afford.
    In view of Hepworth's somewhat chequered career, one is bound to wonder why the matter could not have been resolved by the police many years ago.

    Posted By: DAVID

  4. I know nothing of the accuracy or otherwise of the failure to act allegations but I regret that Monsignor Cappo felt it necessary to resign the positions he occupied.

    Posted By: R.M.

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