One of the strange constants of the tumultuous persecution/prosecution of Cardinal George Pell was that, no matter the latest fantastical development, the Holy See Press Office would always express its “utmost respect” for the Australian justice system. At first, this seemed like the routine lies that press offices tell. During the recent visit of the Read more
The show trial of Archbishop Philip Wilson has backfired badly. The trial caused hurt to many people, most especially victims of child sexual abuse who thought the law was being rightly applied to put an errant Catholic bishop in the frame. Wilson was charged under a provision of the New South Wales Crimes Act, section Read more
Adelaide’s former archbishop, Philip Wilson, has had his sex abuse cover-up conviction quashed by an Australian appeal court. Wilson had been found guilty in May of concealing the abuse of altar boys in the 1970s by paedophile priest James Fletcher. At the time, he was the most senior cleric in the world ever to be Read more
Two sides go head to head: the prosecution appealing former Adelaide archbishop Philip Edward Wilson’s “inadequate” sentence and his defence team appealing Wilson’s conviction. Wilson has been found guilty of concealing the crimes of paedophile priest James Fletcher who was convicted of child sexual abuse in 2004 and died in jail in 2006. Magistrate Robert Read more
Victims want apologies and answers from former Australian Archbishop Philip Wilson. Wilson (67) has been convicted of concealing paedophile priest Jim Fletcher’s abusive behaviour in the 1970s. As Wilson was leaving the Newcastle Local Court after being sentenced on Tuesday, a group of victims was waiting for him. Peter Gogarty, who was one of Fletcher’s Read more
Pope Francis has accepted Archbishop Philip Wilson of Adelaide’s resignation. In May this year Wilson was convicted of covering up the sexual abuse of minors in the 1970s. Read more
Archbishop Philip Wilson has gone from church leader with a reputation for dealing professionally with sex abuse cases to being stoned by all and sundry in the national village square. The calls to resign come not only from victims, anti-church crusaders and commentators of every ilk, but also eminent Catholics who fear he may cause Read more
Legendry Australian broadcaster, John Laws, July 4, interviewed Fr Frank Brennan SJ on 2SM. The interview concerned Archbishop Philip Wilson’s refusal to stand down as Archbishop of Adelaide after his conviction for concealing child sex abuse. One of Australia’s leading radio personalities, the ever-popular Laws comments regularly on issues impacting life in Australia. Frank Brennan Read more
Australian Archbishop Philip Wilson has appealed his 12-month detention sentence for failing to report allegations of child sexual abuse. The allegations involved two altar boys who were abused by a paedophile priest. They disclosed the abuse to him in the 1970s. Wilson, who is 67, is the most senior Catholic official in the world to Read more
Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson has been sentenced to 12 months’ detention for concealing child sexual abuse. Magistrate Robert Stone adjourned the matter to 14 August while Wilson’s home detention order is assessed for suitability. It’s very likely that he will appeal his conviction and sentence. An appeal may well succeed, but that’s not the end Read more