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Archbishop Philip Wilson Will Not Resign after Child Sexual Abuse Cover-up Conviction

By Melissa Davey
The Guardian
May 25, 2018

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/25/archbishop-philip-wilson-will-not-resign-after-child-sexual-abuse-cover-up-conviction

Archbishop Philip Wilson has stood aside from his duties in his Adelaide diocese, but has not resigned over being found guilty of child sex abuse cover-up. Photograph: Peter Lorimer/AAP

The disgraced archbishop of Adelaide, Philip Wilson, officially stood aside from his duties on Friday but has not resigned.

On Tuesday Wilson, 67, was found guilty of concealing child sexual abuse, becoming the most senior Catholic in the world to be convicted of the crime.

He was found to have covered up the child abuse perpetrated by paedophile priest Jim Fletcher, whose crimes date back to the 1970s while he was working in the Maitland/Newcastle diocese in NSW.

“Standing aside doesn’t necessarily mean it’s forever,” the archdiocese spokeswoman, Jenny Brinkworth, said. “He’s standing aside until process has run its course.”

It is not yet clear if Wilson’s lawyers will appeal against his conviction. He faces a maximum of two years in jail.

Wilson will not undertake liturgical duties or direct the archdiocese while he is stood aside. The Adelaide vicar general, Fr Philip Marshall, would take responsibility for archdiocese affairs, supported by the new adjunct vicar general, Fr Anthoni Adimai, the archdiocese said in a statement.

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“Chancellor Pauline Connelly has been appointed chair of the archdiocesan council for child protection and will act as the archbishop’s delegate in managing and dealing with matters related to professional standards, the police check unit and the child protection unit,” the statement said.

Marshall said one of his first priorities would be to “ensure we continue to be a church where the safety of children is paramount and where survivors of abuse are listened to and supported”.

Wilson was criticised on Wednesday for writing a letter addressed to “the people of the archdiocese of Adelaide” calling on them to pray for him after his conviction. The letter was reportedly also sent to students at Catholic schools and their parents.

“While the legal process runs its course, I want to assure the Catholic faithful in the archdiocese of my continued prayers and best wishes,” the letter said. “Please continue to pray for me.”

A former NSW police detective chief inspector, Peter Fox, who had previously alleged that the church covered up Fletcher’s offending, said the fact Wilson had not resigned or been forced to do so was a sign of the “arrogance of the church”.

“I don’t think any organisation who has someone convicted of a criminal offence within that organisation should allow that person to remain,” Fox said.

“One could be forgiven for thinking he is sending a message that he intends to appeal the conviction, with the hope of resuming his role. He refused to stand down pending trial, which I find incredible, refused to stand down through the hearings, and now he is convicted he only wants to stand aside.

“He’s doing even greater damage to the church, its reputation and its attempts to reel in this systemic covering up of child sexual abuse.

“What is the pope going to do about this troublesome archbishop?”

 

 

 

 

 




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