AUSSIE BISHOP IN SEX CASE REFUSES TO RESIGN

SYDNEY— An Australian archbishop sentenced to a year in jail for covering up child sex abuse ignored calls he resign from his position and said he would appeal his conviction.

Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson, 67, was found guilty in May of concealing abuse by notorious pedophile priest Jim Fletcher in New South Wales state during the 1970s.

One of the highest-ranked church officials convicted of covering up child sex abuse, Wilson was sentenced on Tuesday to 12 months’ imprisonment, but the court is still assessing whether to allow the prelate to be detained at home.

Wilson issued a statement on Wednesday saying he would appeal his conviction and retain his position in the Church.

Aware of calls

“I am conscious of calls for me to resign and have taken them very seriously. However, at this time, I amentitled 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.”

Wilson had stepped aside from his church duties following his conviction in May.

In sentencing Wilson on Tuesday, Newcastle Local Court Magistrate Robert Stone noted that the church official had shown “no remorse or contrition” during the trial and there was no dispute in the testimonies that Fletcher, now dead, sexually abused an altar boy.