Adelaide priest and Campion College President, Fr John Fleming, has denied wrongdoing and said that he is sickened by allegations against him. ABC News reports Fr Fleming, who is the subject of sexual misconduct allegations, has released a public statement denying any wrongdoing and that he ever engaged in sexual or other inappropriate behaviour with a minor.
He says he has never been the subject of a police investigation and is shocked and sickened by the allegations of three people in the Sunday press.
Fr Fleming, who is now working at the private Catholic College in Sydney, says he will cooperate with an investigation into the matters and will stand down from his duties as a priest until it is completed.
The Catholic Church in Adelaide has appointed a senior QC to investigate allegations against a prominent priest.
In a statement the Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide, Philip Wilson, says he has asked Fr John Fleming to return to Adelaide from Sydney where he works at Campion.
Earlier, Adelaide Now reported Fr Fleming was appointed to his position at Campion College despite the Church being aware of serious allegations of sexual misconduct against him.The paper said Fr Fleming was being investigated by the police Pedophile Task Force over allegations he was sexually involved with a teenage girl in the 1970s.
Detectives have also taken statements from another woman and a man who were allegedly sexually involved with Fr Fleming after seeking counselling from him, the paper said.
The Sunday Mail also reported an investigation revealed the Anglican and Catholic churches have been aware of allegations surrounding Father Fleming for many years.
In the case of the male, the Catholic Church was made aware in 1995. It was also made aware of the alleged misconduct with one female in late 1994 and a second female in 2000.
In an April 2004 letter obtained by the Sunday Mail, Cardinal George Pell acknowledges the complaint against Father John Fleming from one female victim. Cardinal Pell wrote back the next day and advised the victim to contact police herself.
"The allegations you make against Fr Fleming are of a very serious nature. They should be investigated by the police and I would encourage you strongly to pursue your complaint with them," Cardinal Pell wrote in his response.
Despite Cardinal Pell and the Adelaide diocese being aware of allegations, Father Fleming's Campion College appointment went ahead.
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(Source: ABC)