Church abuse victim Peter Creigh hails end of clergy intimidation following Philip Wilson conviction
CHILD sex abuse victims no longer need be “intimidated by the perceived power of the untouchables, the clergy of the Catholic Church”, following the conviction of former Adelaide archbishop Philip Wilson.
- Ex-Adelaide archbishop Philip Wilson sentenced to home detention
- AUGUST: Search begins for new Adelaide Archbishop
- JULY: Philip Wilson avoids immediate jail term
- JULY: Archbishop resigns after child sex cover-up conviction
- JUNE: Jail ‘could kill’ Philip Wilson, defence says
CHILD sex abuse victims no longer need be “intimidated by the perceived power of the untouchables, the clergy of the Catholic Church”, following the conviction of former Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson.
A defiant Peter Creigh, who was abused by Wilson’s former colleague Father James Patrick Fletcher, on Wednesday said he wanted to “move on” after Wilson was on Tuesday sentenced to home detention for concealing the abuse of altar boys.
Mr Creigh missed the sentencing as he recovered in hospital from heart surgery complications.
“It has been an enormous journey,” Mr Creigh said.
“We have a conviction, we have a resignation, we have a disgraced senior cleric of the Catholic Church and exposed even further the contempt the church officials have for the law in our country.
“More importantly we gave shown that all victims can confidently come forward, be heard and no longer be intimidated by the perceived power of the untouchables, the clergy of the Catholic Church.”
Wilson, meanwhile, is appealing his landmark conviction after filing a notice in the NSW District Court.
Court records state Wilson is appealing in the belief he is innocent and not because of legal errors by Newcastle Magistrate Robert Stone.
An appeal notice, filed with the court late on Tuesday, reads: “I am appealing the … conviction/order because I am not guilty.”
The defiant and remorseless clergyman will serve half of his 12-month prison term at his sister and brother in law’s two-storey house near the ocean town of Terrigal.
Wilson has told senior colleagues he is “convinced of his own innocence” despite Pope Francis accepting his resignation.
He quit as the state’s most senior Catholic Church leader amid intense public and political pressure. He will remain a Bishop.
During his six-month non-parole period, Wilson will be subject to electronic monitoring, regular supervision, home visits and alcohol testing. He is allowed to leave the house for medical appointments, exercise, grocery shopping and other approved activities.