Adelaide Catholic Archbishop media awards cancelled over Philip Wilson’s conviction for sex abuse cover up

A POPULAR Catholic Church media awards has been cancelled for the first time in almost three decades after the disgraced Adelaide Archbishop’s conviction for covering up child sex abuse.

• Catholic priests ask Pope to sack Philip Wilson as Archbishop
• Senior Adelaide Catholic priest calls for Wilson to resign
• Wilson sentenced to 12 months home detention
• The letter that led the Archbishop Wilson’s downfall

A POPULAR Catholic Church media awards has been cancelled for the first time in almost three decades after the disgraced Adelaide Archbishop’s conviction for covering up child sex abuse.

The Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide media citations was founded in 1990 to promote “professional excellence” as well as a “commitment to truth, balance, fairness and community service”.

But yesterday it emerged the gongs, which Advertiser journalists entered, have been cancelled in the wake of the jail term handed to Philip Edwards Wilson, 67.

It is the first time the awards, described by the church as “highly regarded” and which help to “build and strengthen the South Australian community”, have been canned.

Archbishop Philip Wilson leaves Newcastle Local Court after being found guilty of covering up historical child sexual abuse. Picture: AAP / Darren Pateman

In a note to judges and entrants yesterday, a Catholic Church spokeswoman congratulated the “high standard” of work.

But she added: “Unfortunately the decision has been taken to cancel this year’s awards due to the Archbishop’s current situation.

“I am sorry for any inconvenience this has caused but I am sure you will understand why this is necessary.”

She declined further comment.

Wilson, who remains on bail, is defying widespread public calls to quit after his guilty verdict of concealing child sex abuse by a fellow priest and his former flatmate.

Magistrate Robert Stone found that between 2004 and 2006, Wilson did not tell New South Wales police what he knew about the sexual abuse of children by the now deceased paedophile priest James Fletcher in the 1970s.

At Newcastle Local Court last month, Magistrate Stone sentenced Wilson to 12 months’ jail with a six-month non-parole term.

He is now being assessed for his suitability to serve it on home detention, most likely at his sister’s NSW Central Coast home. The sentence has been widely criticised.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and Premier Steven Marshall, have joined Fletcher’s victims in calling on him to resign.

Australia’s ambassador to the Holy See, Melissa Hitchman, has lobbied Pope Francis for Wilson to be sacked.

The National Council of Priests of Australia has also demanded Wilson be dismissed.

The Vatican has refused to comment publicly or heed the calls.

Wilson returns to court next month.