Only the Pope can force Archbishop Philip Wilson to resign, despite his conviction for concealing child sex abuse, a senior Catholic Church official has revealed.
Wilson, 67, is the most senior Catholic official in the world to be convicted of concealing child abuse is likely to serve his 12-month sentence in home detention.
Wilson stood aside as archbishop in May after being found guilty of failing to report to police the historical sexual abuse of two altar boys by a pedophile priest, after a landmark magistrate-only trial in Newcastle Local Court.
Archbishop Philip Wilson is the most senior Catholic official in the world to be convicted of concealing child abuse. Source: AAP
However, he has indicated he plans to appeal his conviction and says he will only resign if that fails.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference's president Archbishop Mark Coleridge said an appeal was the fight of "any citizen" but made it clear it would require intervention from the Vatican to compel Wilson’s resignation.
"A number of survivors, prominent Australians and other members of the community have publicly called on Archbishop Wilson to resign. Although we have no authority to compel him to do so, a number of Australian bishops have also offered their advice privately. Only the Pope can compel a bishop to resign,” he said in a statement.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has called for the church figure to step down. Source: AAP
"We also recognise the ongoing pain this has caused survivors, especially those who were abused."
Wilson is now facing unprecedented calls from across the political arena to step down, following his conviction.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has joined Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in calling for Wilson to resign immediately.
"He's been convicted, he's been sentenced. I think it's untenable to remain in that position," Mr Marshall told The Advertiser on Thursday.
NSW Police Minister Troy Grant, a former police officer who was involved in investigations into child abuse in the Maitland-Newcastle area in 1995, said the sentence handed to Wilson was appalling.
The magistrate on Tuesday sentenced Wilson to 12 months imprisonment with six months non-parole but ordered he be assessed for an order allowing him to serve his sentence in the community.
Wilson on Wednesday confirmed he would lodge an appeal to the NSW District Court, saying he had seriously considered the calls for him to resign but would only do so if his appeal was unsuccessful.
Archbishop Philip Wilson leaves Newcastle Local Court. Source: AAP
Father Frank Brennan, chief executive of Catholic Social Services Australia, said Wilson should step down "for the good of everyone" after a difficult week for the Catholic Church and victims.
"You've been already four or six years before the courts, you're going to have another year or two before the courts," he told Sky News.
"You're not do anything to help the Archdiocese of Adelaide, you're not doing anything to help the victims, you're not doing anything to help the Australian community heal after what we've been through with the royal commission."
