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207353
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 13:45
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http://m.oananews.org//node/207353
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Federal govt accepts Cappo's resignation
SYDNEY (AAP) - A senior South Australian priest's decision to quit a key federal government post amid a sexual abuse scandal was not taken lightly, Mental Health Minister Mark Butler says.
Monsignor David Cappo was recently chosen by the federal government as the first chairman of the new Mental Health Commission, the body to lead national mental health reform, a key focus of the Gillard government.
But he said on Thursday he had advised the government that he would not take up the position and had also resigned from the Australian Social Inclusion Board.
His decision comes amid criticism by independent Senator Nick Xenophon that Monsignor Cappo had not acted in a timely manner to allegations made in 2007 by an Anglican archbishop that he was raped by a Catholic priest in a South Australian seminary 40 years ago.
Senator Xenophon this week named the priest, Ian Dempsey, in parliament under parliamentary privilege, as the alleged rapist of Archbishop John Hepworth.
Monsignor Dempsey denies the allegations.
Mr Butler said he understood the decision was a difficult one and not taken lightly but it was a decision the government respected.
"I still believe that, given his background and expertise, Monsignor Cappo was the obvious choice to lead the Mental Health Commission," Mr Butler said in a statement.
"I would like to take the opportunity to thank Monsignor Cappo for the strong leadership he displayed in the national mental health reform process and his long-term commitment to those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community."
Mr Butler said he knew the monsignor would continue his work in future and wished him all the best.
Monsignor Cappo denies he has mishandled the complaint by Archbishop Hepworth but said the matter had the potential to distract from the important work of the Mental Health Commission.
"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.
"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."
Senator Xenophon, who called on the government earlier this week to reflect on Monsignor Cappo's appointment to the post pending a review of the way the church handled the rape allegations, said the two issues were separate.
"I respect Monsignor Cappo's decision, however, I still believe there needs to be a fair and independent assessment of the handling of Archbishop Hepworth's allegations by the Adelaide Archdiocese of the Catholic Church," Senator Xenophon told AAP.
If Monsignor Dempsey had stood down and gone on leave while the allegations were investigated the church would "have avoided a course of events," Senator Xenophon said.
"This is a case where I regret that the Catholic Church did not see fit to adopt a different course and that was to ensure that there was an appropriate investigation," he said.
Opposition mental health spokeswoman Concetta Fierravanti-Wells said it was no surprise Monsignor Cappo stepped down as the chair of the mental health commission.
"The appointment of Monsignor Cappo had caused quiet concern in the sector as the role is seen as needing experience and the ability to deliver at the highest levels of government and the public sector," she said.
The senator called on Mr Butler to ensure the next appointment was made with more accountability.
Anglican Archbishop John Hepworth, who trained as a Catholic priest, claims he was raped more than 40 years ago by three priests, including two who have since died.
Speaking under parliamentary privilege on Tuesday, Senator Nick Xenophon defied the Catholic church and named Monsignor Ian Dempsey as the third priest involved.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann said Monsignor Cappo's decision not to take up his national role was a tragedy for hundreds of thousands of Australians living with mental illness.
"They have lost a real champion for the cause at the helm of mental health reform nationally," he said in a statement.
"This is a victory for trial by allegation and for those who prefer the politics of smear and self-aggrandisement over social justice."
"What has happened this week in federal parliament will unfortunately force people of talent and integrity to question public service in the current poisonous environment, where the politics of denigration reigns supreme."
Monsignor Cappo had recently announced plans to leave a role with the SA government as its commissioner for social inclusion at the end of the year, after accepting the federal role.
Monsignor Cappo said he would now leave his SA government appointment at the end of October.
"My main task at the moment is to deliver a blueprint on disability reform in South Australia," he said.
"That document will be ready in October and I intend to leave my South Australian position at the end of that month.
"It has been a privilege to be of service to the state of South Australia and to the nation."
Monsignor David Cappo was recently chosen by the federal government as the first chairman of the new Mental Health Commission, the body to lead national mental health reform, a key focus of the Gillard government.
But he said on Thursday he had advised the government that he would not take up the position and had also resigned from the Australian Social Inclusion Board.
His decision comes amid criticism by independent Senator Nick Xenophon that Monsignor Cappo had not acted in a timely manner to allegations made in 2007 by an Anglican archbishop that he was raped by a Catholic priest in a South Australian seminary 40 years ago.
Senator Xenophon this week named the priest, Ian Dempsey, in parliament under parliamentary privilege, as the alleged rapist of Archbishop John Hepworth.
Monsignor Dempsey denies the allegations.
Mr Butler said he understood the decision was a difficult one and not taken lightly but it was a decision the government respected.
"I still believe that, given his background and expertise, Monsignor Cappo was the obvious choice to lead the Mental Health Commission," Mr Butler said in a statement.
"I would like to take the opportunity to thank Monsignor Cappo for the strong leadership he displayed in the national mental health reform process and his long-term commitment to those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged in our community."
Mr Butler said he knew the monsignor would continue his work in future and wished him all the best.
Monsignor Cappo denies he has mishandled the complaint by Archbishop Hepworth but said the matter had the potential to distract from the important work of the Mental Health Commission.
"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.
"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."
Senator Xenophon, who called on the government earlier this week to reflect on Monsignor Cappo's appointment to the post pending a review of the way the church handled the rape allegations, said the two issues were separate.
"I respect Monsignor Cappo's decision, however, I still believe there needs to be a fair and independent assessment of the handling of Archbishop Hepworth's allegations by the Adelaide Archdiocese of the Catholic Church," Senator Xenophon told AAP.
If Monsignor Dempsey had stood down and gone on leave while the allegations were investigated the church would "have avoided a course of events," Senator Xenophon said.
"This is a case where I regret that the Catholic Church did not see fit to adopt a different course and that was to ensure that there was an appropriate investigation," he said.
Opposition mental health spokeswoman Concetta Fierravanti-Wells said it was no surprise Monsignor Cappo stepped down as the chair of the mental health commission.
"The appointment of Monsignor Cappo had caused quiet concern in the sector as the role is seen as needing experience and the ability to deliver at the highest levels of government and the public sector," she said.
The senator called on Mr Butler to ensure the next appointment was made with more accountability.
Anglican Archbishop John Hepworth, who trained as a Catholic priest, claims he was raped more than 40 years ago by three priests, including two who have since died.
Speaking under parliamentary privilege on Tuesday, Senator Nick Xenophon defied the Catholic church and named Monsignor Ian Dempsey as the third priest involved.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann said Monsignor Cappo's decision not to take up his national role was a tragedy for hundreds of thousands of Australians living with mental illness.
"They have lost a real champion for the cause at the helm of mental health reform nationally," he said in a statement.
"This is a victory for trial by allegation and for those who prefer the politics of smear and self-aggrandisement over social justice."
"What has happened this week in federal parliament will unfortunately force people of talent and integrity to question public service in the current poisonous environment, where the politics of denigration reigns supreme."
Monsignor Cappo had recently announced plans to leave a role with the SA government as its commissioner for social inclusion at the end of the year, after accepting the federal role.
Monsignor Cappo said he would now leave his SA government appointment at the end of October.
"My main task at the moment is to deliver a blueprint on disability reform in South Australia," he said.
"That document will be ready in October and I intend to leave my South Australian position at the end of that month.
"It has been a privilege to be of service to the state of South Australia and to the nation."
