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Xenophon critical of archbishop

Published: September 16, 2011

Senator Nick Xenophon

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Independent senator Nick Xenophon has accused the head of the Archdiocese of Adelaide of double standards, reports The Australian.

He made the claim for the Archbishop Philip Wilson refusing to stand down a priest accused of sex offences because the matter related to an adult, not a child.

Senator Xenophon has defended his decision to name the priest against whom allegations have been made, and was shocked to hear Archbishop Wilson would not stand the priest down despite the fact he was facing abuse allegations and a possible police investigation.

"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.

"The concern that I have is whether these are protocols of the Catholic Church or Adelaide archdiocese."

He had called for an investigation into the church's handling of the matter and spoken to federal Labor powerbroker Mark Butler.

The Australian adds that the Archdiocese of Melbourne's Director of Communications, James O'Farrell, said all complaints of clergy abuse were referred to the independent commissioner, regardless of whether they related to an adult or a child.

The commissioner then makes recommendations to the archbishop, including on whether an accused priest should be stood down.

"The archbishop has accepted and followed every such recommendation made by the independent commissioner," Mr O'Farrell said.

The news report also outlined the protocols of the Adelaide Anglican diocese, which said it would stand down accused clergy; and those of the Baptist Church of SA, which said allegations would first be referred to police before the church began its investigation, and the church would negotiate to stand the person down.

FULL STORY AND RELATED COVERAGE

Senator accuses Catholic archbishop of having double standards on abuse (The Australian)

Rau urges crime victims to go to police (Sydney Morning Herald/AAP)

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Recent Comments

  1. Nick Xenophon seems determined to sow confusion wherever he treads. He 'outed' a legally innocent man, essentially ruining him, in the interests of parents and children, according to his statement.
    No accusation of child abuse had ever been made. He fully accepted Archbishop Hepworth's decision not to take the matter to the police, despite the fact that this took away the accused man's right to defend himself in public.
    If the alleged crime had been against a minor, the protocols of the Church insist the matter be taken to the police.
    Now Sen. Xenophon says the Archdiocese is distinguishing between crimes against a minor and crimes against an adult.
    Nick, it's the law! This disrespect for the law of the land might well make you unsuitable to be a member of the Parliament. Resign, for the sake of justice.

    Posted By: Joan Seymour

  2. Nick: You said, 'The concern that I have is whether these are protocols of the Catholic Church or Adelaide archdiocese' or is it the law?
    A good idea if you found out first, Nick!
    Philip Wilson, double standards? You've chosen the
    wrong man, Nick!

    Posted By: Helen Ryan

  3. Until Archbishop Hepworth takes the matter to the police, the alleged abuser has the presumption of innocence.
    The mystery is why Hepworth has waited this long to bring this out into the open. Has he got a hidden grievance against the Catholic church?
    This use of parliamentary privilege will torpedo Xenophon's career as the public will not trust him.
    I agree with Joan that he should resign as not one, but two, highly regarded priests have had their reputations savagely torn apart because of his announcement.

    Posted By: Mary

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