Top Australian cleric convicted of abuse cover-up

AN AUSTRALIAN archbishop has become the most senior Roman Catholic cleric in the world to be convicted of covering up child sex abuse.

Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson faces a potential two years in prison when he is sentenced next month.

Magistrate Robert Stone handed down the verdict in Newcastle Local Court, north of Sydney, following a magistrate-only trial.

Wilson, 67, had pleaded not guilty to concealing a serious crime committed by another person – the sexual abuse of children by paedophile priest James Fletcher in the 1970s.

Mr Stone told the court that Wilson had concealed the abuse of two altar boys by Fletcher in the Hunter Valley region, north of Sydney, by failing to report the allegations to police.

The judge said he was satisfied that one of the altar boys, Peter Creigh, had been a “truthful and reliable” witness.

Wilson was released on bail until he appears at a sentencing hearing on June 9. Prosecutors will argue for a custodial sentence.

In a statement issued by the Catholic Church, Wilson said he was disappointed by the conviction. “I will now have to consider the reasons and consult closely with my lawyers to determine the next steps,” he said.

The prosecution argued that Wilson failed to give details to police about a serious crime after Fletcher was arrested in 2004 and went on trial for preying on another boy.

Fletcher was found guilty of nine counts of child sexual abuse and died in prison of a stroke in 2006 while serving an almost eight-year sentence.