Victims reiterate calls for Archbishop Philip Wilson to resign or for Pope Francis to sack him

ARCHBISHOP of Adelaide Philip Wilson says he will quit his role as the state’s most senior Catholic leader if he fails in a planned appeal against his conviction for concealing historical child abuse.

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ARCHBISHOP of Adelaide Philip Wilson says he will quit his role as the state’s most senior Catholic leader if he fails in a planned appeal against his conviction for concealing historical child abuse.

In the first public statement since his conviction and sentence to home detention for at least six months, Wilson said he was “conscious of calls to resign” and had taken them seriously.

“However, at this time, I am entitled to exercise my legal rights and to follow the due process of law,” he said.

“Since that process is not yet complete, I do not intend to resign at this time.

“However, if I am unsuccessful in my appeal, I will immediately offer my resignation to the Holy See.

Archbishop Philip Wilson leaves Newcastle Local Court after being sentenced for concealing historical child sexual abuse. Picture: AAP / Darren Pateman

“In the meantime, I have stood aside from all duties.

“The legal process must now be allowed to proceed in the normal way and therefore I do not intend to make any further comment at this time.”

His statement comes as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Premier Steven Marshall and Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten all joined a chorus of voices calling for his resignation.

Mr Turnbull said he was surprised Wilson had not quit after he was sentenced to 12 months home detention in Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday.

“Certainly given the outcome of the case … he should resign,” Mr Turnbull said.

Premier Steven Marshall echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiment, saying Wilson’s position was “untenable”.

“I think that now there is no choice,” he said.

“He’s been convicted, he’s been sentenced. I think it’s untenable to remain in that position.”

Mr Shorten said “resigning immediately is the very least he can do in this circumstance”.

“The justice system has spoken and has been unequivocal in its judgment,” Mr Shorten said.quitting was

“His actions were inexcusable and his position is untenable.”

Victims of Wilson’s paedophile priest colleague have reiterated their calls for the state’s most senior Catholic Church leader to resign or for Pope Francis to sack him.

Several victims and their families packed Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday where a magistrate damned the Archbishop of Adelaide’s cover up of child sex abuse.

Some fought tears, while others stood in silence, as Magistrate Robert Stone condemned Wilson’s lack of remorse and contrition, and expressed the community’s “devastation” over child sex abuse and its cover up.

He described how local parishioners were “betrayed most callously and cruelly” by Wilson and predator Robert James “Jim” Fletcher over decades because of their “misplaced, faith, trust and respect”.

Protesters flanked victims’ advocate Peter Gogarty as he spoke outside the Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday. AAP Image/Darren Pateman

For the victims, his remarks and Wilson’s 12-month jail term were cold comfort after long battles with depression, alcoholism and broken relationships.

In extreme cases, some took their own lives, including whistleblower priest, Father Glenn Walsh, 55, who died just three weeks before he was due to give evidence last November.

Frank Brennan, the chief executive of Catholic Social Services Australia, its peak national body, called for Wilson’s resignation.

He argued the church should “own that one of our leaders has been found lacking credibility when it comes child protection”.

Outside court, victim Peter Gogarty, 57, also called for Wilson to either resign from his powerful role or for the Vatican to sack him before the church “becomes a bigger laughing stock than it already is”.

“Having listened to the magistrate describe the damage he has caused, how can he stay?” he said.

Archbishop Philip Wilson arriving for sentencing at the Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday. AAP Image/Darren Pateman

“How on earth can somebody who has been convicted of knowing that children were being abused by a Catholic priest, remain the Archbishop of Adelaide.”

The victim whose letter triggered the prosecution, Peter Aidan Creigh, 57, did not attend court as he continued his recovery from open heart surgery. In a statement, he said the day was “significant for many reasons”.

“Let’s trust that we see some positive change and assertive leadership from within the organisation that has betrayed society on such a huge scale,” he said.

A statement from the Adelaide Archdiocese, and its new administrator Bishop Greg O’Kelly said “arrangements made by Pope Francis for my care of the Archdiocese … remain in place”.