A SENIOR South Australian clergymen has resigned his appointment as chair of the Gillard government's new Mental Health Commission amid allegations he failed to appropriately deal with rape allegations against a fellow priest. David Cappo announced the move in a statement tonight, while rejecting suggestions he mishandled rape allegations by now-Archbishop John Hepworth against Monsignor Ian Dempsey.

Monsignor Cappo, the vicar-general of the Adelaide Archdiocese, said he would not take up the post in the interests of the commission.

"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,'' he said.

Monsignor Cappo also announced his resignation as deputy chair of the Australian Social Inclusion Board. From The Australian read more...