Archbishop John Hepworth denies move to drop abuse claim

Archbishop John Hepworth has hit out at reports that he was considering dropping his claim of clerical rape against the Catholic Church, saying there has been no change in the standoff between both parties.

The stalemate threatens to derail an investigation into the allegations.

Archbishop Hepworth, now the primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, alleges he was raped by three priests nearly 50 years ago.

But nearly two months after he revealed in The Weekend Australian his claims of systematic sexual abuse, Archbishop Hepworth said he feared his calls for the church to support a mutually agreeable inquiry had fallen on deaf ears. To read more, click here.