Archbishop Philip Wilson resigns after child sex abuse conviction

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson, after he failed to report child sex abuse.

There had been intense pressure on Wilson to officially step down from the role, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other political leaders calling for his resignation.

Read more: Turnbull calls on the Pope to sack disgraced Archbishop Philip Wilson

In a statement issued by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, president Archbishop Mark Coleridge said the Pope had accepted the resignation on Monday night.

“While the judicial process will continue, Archbishop Wilson’s resignation is the next chapter in a heartbreaking story of people who were sexually abused at the hands of Jim Fletcher and whose lives were forever changed,” the statement read.

“This decision may bring some comfort to them despite the ongoing pain they bear.”

The following statement has just been issued by Archbishop Mark Coleridge. pic.twitter.com/h3nTJyKQ4z

— Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (@ACBC1) July 30, 2018

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull welcomed Wilson’s resignation.

“I welcome Philip Wilson’s resignation as Archbishop of Adelaide today which belatedly recognises the many calls, including my own, for him to resign,” he said in a statement.

“There is no more important responsibility for community and church leaders than the protection of children.”

Wilson was found guilty in May of failing to report child sex abuse by pedophile priest James Fletcher in the 1970s. In a statement published by the ABC following his sentencing, Wilson, at the time, remained adamant he would not leave the post.

“I intend to lodge an appeal against my conviction to the District Court of New South Wales,” he said.

“I am conscious of calls for me to resign and have taken them very seriously. However, at this time, I am entitled to exercise my legal rights and to follow the due process of law.”

Read more: Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson guilty of concealing child sex abuse

While he has stood aside from all duties, Wilson – who is one of Australia’s most senior Catholics – had said he will offer his resignation if the appeal is unsuccessful. He will appear in court on August 14 following an assessment for home detention. 

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