cont.

If as a Member of Parliament, one perceives a 'cover up' or failure to address a matter that is serious and that should in the public interest be addressed, then it is a matter for that Member to determine her/his approach and in particular whether to use parliamentary privilege.

Some may agree on the decision. Some may disagree. In the end, it is a matter of conscience for the Member.

I was reading John Hepworth's story and it stated he allegedly had been sexually abused by 2 priests when he was 15 years old (thus these 2 priests were paedophiles), however it was not by the priest named by Senator Xenophon.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/one-mans-life-and-how-the-church-he-loved-let-him-down-20110916-1ke00.html

Apparently Mr. Hepworth was allegedly blackmailed into having sex with these men all during his 12 years learning to be a priest, by being told he would be thrown out of the seminary if he told what was happening there.

How disgusting is that?
How soul-destroying would that be for an apparently large man to have to submit to that sexual assault without trying to save himself?

I can't believe that one of the alleged perpetrators of this crime is still in charge of a parish.
I very much doubt that the Catholic church had no knowledge of this situation. I also doubt anything much will be done about it either.

However, I don't believe Nick Xenophon should have named this Priest in parliament before he was even charged.

I think Senator Xenophon did the right thing. Sometimes things like this bring out other allegations. Successful prosecutions require more than one victim.

I wouldn't put this use of parliamentary privilege in the same category as allegations made against Justice Kirby: Cant say I thought much of that effort.

Loveday

Please read my entire post in context.

The victim's abuse started when he was an adolescent. Perhaps I should've just written something more general like "church cover-up of abuse".

The 2 original abusers have since died. There remains one who continued to torment the victim into his adult years - that is the man who was named by Xenophon. No trial has been held, nor sentence mandated, Xenophon abused his privileged position by naming.

Nick Xenophon has yet again given a voice to the voiceless.
He does this extremely well.
Those of us who have been abused by people in authority or power breathe a little easier whenever a predator is named.
Those who have never been abused can never understand how powerless a victim of abuse becomes. The Law does not always provide Justice sometimes it doesn't even provide a hearing.
Ask me how I know.
Three cheers for Nick Xenophon..... again

Oh dear, according to the Advertiser (not a reliable source) the Catholic Church offered Hepworth an inquiry two years ago and he turned it down.

Xenophon is now swinging in the wind alone. His sole source (who seems to have some health problems) has deserted him and possibly has not disclosed all that he knew or knows.

Mr X, doyen of Victim Nation, is gone.