The Catholic church sex scandal in Adelaide yesterday claimed its first victim with the decision by one of Australia's most influential churchmen to not take up an important Federal Government position and to resign from another.
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Fairfax understands the decision by the Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide, Monsignor David Cappo, followed pressure yesterday from the Federal Government.
Monsignor Cappo became a central figure in the sex scandal as he tried to resolve issues raised by Archbishop John Hepworth who has alleged he was sexually abused by three priests more than 40 years ago. Two of them are now dead.
Senator Nick Xenophon named the Adelaide priest Monsignor Ian Dempsey under parliamentary privilege on Tuesday as the third priest involved. Monsignor Dempsey has strongly denied the claims that allegedly occurred when both men were in their 20s.
The senator also accused Monsignor Cappo of not acting in a timely manner on complaints lodged by Archbishop Hepworth in 2007. He said the Adelaide Archdiocese had taken too long to satisfactorily resolve the allegations that had been first raised four years ago. Senator Xenophon had earlier called on the Federal Government to inquire into the role of Monsignor Cappo as the proposed chair of the new Mental Health Commission.
Monsignor Cappo is understood to be devastated that he will not now be carrying out work he considered crucial in areas he believes to be important to the community.
Citing his role in the case of Archbishop Hepworth, the leader of the breakaway Traditional Anglican Communion, Monsignor Cappo said he had told the Federal Government ''of my intention not to take up the position as chair'' on the newly formed Mental Health Commission that will lead reform across the nation in mental health.
''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.
''I cannot allow that to occur. We have worked so hard to put mental health on the national agenda and I do not want in any way, to have this progress jeopardised.''
Monsignor Cappo said he had also informed the Federal Government of his decision to resign as deputy chair of the Australian Social Inclusion Board. But Fairfax understands this also relates to Federal Government pressure over the sex scandal.
Monsignor Cappo had already announced his decision to resign from his role in Social Inclusion in South Australia towards the end of the year.
Monsignor Cappo also ''sincerely thanked the Federal Government for the opportunity to serve the nation through its social inclusion initiative, based on our successful work here in South Australia''.
''My great passion has been the community of South Australia. It has been a privilege to be of service to the state of South Australia and to the nation,'' he said.
