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Resignation: Archbishop Philip Wilson of Adelaide, Australia, leaves the local court in Newcastle on July 3rd. Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Wilson, who had been convicted by an Australian court of law over allegations of badual abuse of children. Photos: CNS
Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Philip Wilson, accused of concealing child abuse by a priest, calling for his resignation from Catholics, priests and even from the Prime Minister.
Wilson 67, who submitted his resignation to the Pope on July 20, said he hoped his decision would be a "catalyst for healing pain and distress".
Ten days later, on July 30, the Holy See issued a line The statement confirming that Pope Francis had accepted Wilson's resignation.
Wilson then responded, writing directly to the priests of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, to the religious, parochial and school communities: "Although my resignation was not asked, I have made this decision, the increasing level of injury that my recent conviction caused in the community. "
" I have now been informed that His Holiness accepted my resignation, "he writes.
"I had hope"
"However, there is too much suffering and distress caused by the fact that I maintain the position of Archbishop of Adelaide , especially for the victims of Father Fletcher, 19659004] Wilson was convicted in May for failing to report to the police the repeated abuse of two altar boys by priest Jim Fletcher in the Hunter Valley area in the United States. 1970s.
Wilson denied the charges and desisted after being convicted but refused to resign pending an appeal.
He is on bail, was sentenced to 12 months in detention and is badessed for the ability to serve his sentence in house arrest.
Just last week On July 19, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull added his voice to a loud choir asking the Pope to return
Mr. Turnbull charged the ambbadador with the. Australia near the Holy See, Melissa Hitc hman, to put pressure on Pope Francis for Wilson to be sacked.
The National Council of Priests of Australia also demanded that Wilson be removed from office.
"There is no greater responsibility for community and ecclesiastical leaders." Turnbull said, welcoming Wilson's resignation.
The Australian Conference of Catholic Bishops said that if judicial proceedings continued, "the resignation of Archbishop Wilson is the next chapter of a heartbreaking story of people who have been badually abused." of Jim Fletcher and whose lives have been changed forever. "
" This decision may bring them some comfort, despite the ongoing pain they carry, "said the president of the ACBC, Archbishop Mark Coleridge. has been praised by many for his work supporting victims and survivors of child badual abuse.
Wilson will return to court on August 14 for a magistrate to decide whether to serve his home detention sentence
The pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Adelaide remains in the hands of Apostolic Administrator, Bishop Greg O. Kelly, until the Pope appoints a new Archbishop.
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