Adelaide's Archbishop Philip Wilson, has been convicted and sentenced to 12 months detention for concealing child sex abuse.
Wilson was found guilty of failing to report allegations of child sexual abuse against paedophile priest Father Jim Fletcher, who died in jail in 2006.
In sentencing, magistrate Robert Stone said, "there is no remorse or contrition showed by the offender… The whole of the community is devastated in so many ways by the decades of abuse and its concealment,” and "I am of the opinion the sentence should not be suspended. It does not support the terms of general deterrence.
"On that basis, the only available remaining option is full-time imprisonment or home detention."
He will be eligible for parole after six months.
“Magistrate Robert Stone said he should be assessed as to his suitability to serve the sentence at a family member’s home in NSW and adjourned the matter until August 14.” And “There was audible groans from the packed public gallery as Mr Stone confirmed Wilson would not be heading to jail on Tuesday.”, reported Sydney Morning Herald.
According to ABC, “In May, the 67-year-old was found guilty of concealing the sexual abuse of children between 2004 and 2006 at the hands of paedophile priest Jim Fletcher in the 1970s.”
“Wilson has vehemently denied the charge and unsuccessfully attempted to have the case thrown out of court four times before it went to trial in April.”, reported news.com.au.
“As Wilson left court this morning he was repeatedly booed by child sex abuse survivors Gerard McDonald and Paul Gray”, reported news.com.au.
Mr McDonald rolled up his sleeve to show a tattoo on his forearm which read: “SURVIVOR”, and told news.com.au that Wilson “only got a slap on the wrist”.
“Disgusting,” he said.
“Fellow abuse survivor Peter Gogarty said he was a bit disappointed by the sentence.”, reported ABC.
"My personal view is that … is probably letting him off a little bit too lightly," he said.
"The highest ranking church official to ever be brought to account [for] what we know was a worldwide, systematic abuse of children and the concealment of that abuse.", said Gogarty.
“There have been consistent calls among abuse survivors for Wilson to step down as archbishop, but the church has not called for it.” Reported ABC.
"If the archbishop does not resign, then the Catholic Church becomes a bigger laughing stock than it already is," abuse survivor Peter Gogarty said outside court.
