Australia - Archbishop Wilson Sentenced To Imprisonment (Video)

Catholic archbishop Mr. Philip Wilson was sentenced to 12 months in detention for concealing child sexual abuse in the 1970s. The current archbishop of Adelaide thus becomes the most senior Catholic globally to ever be convicted of the crime.

Related coverage: https://thegoldwater.com/news/26773-Australia-Archbishop-Philip-Wilson-Found-Guilty-of-Concealing-Child-Sex-Abuse

The court has now ordered Mr. Wilson should be assessed for possible "home detention," which likely means he will avoid jail. According to the magistrate presiding proceedings, Mr. Robert Stone, the court found that the archbishop had shown "no remorse or contrition."

Mr. Wilson’s first chance for parole will be after 6 months.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: The Catholic Church releases a statement after today&#39;s sentencing of Archbishop Philip Wilson. No mention of plans to sack Wilson or for him to resign. <a href="https://t.co/7SVLlCIQ1w">pic.twitter.com/7SVLlCIQ1w</a></p>&mdash; Ben Avery (@benavery9) <a href="https://twitter.com/benavery9/status/1013973205726388230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>

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Magistrate Robert Stone: “Given the seriousness of the matter, I am of the opinion that the sentence should not be suspended.”

“It is my opinion that the offending can be assessed at about the mid range. The importance and ramifications of child sex abuse are well known. It places other people at risk. Wilson was in a position of trust. There is no remorse or contrition shown by the offender.”

Related coverage: https://thegoldwater.com/news/24697-Australia-Vatican-Treasurer-Pell-Faces-Sexual-Abuse-Trial-In-Melbourne

In fact, even though Mr. Wilson was convicted, he still has not resigned as archbishop.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson remained silent as he arrived at a Newcastle court to be sentenced over his failure to report the historical indecent assault of two alter boys during the 1970s.<br><br>BACKGROUND: <a href="https://t.co/H9hXdSVOGU">https://t.co/H9hXdSVOGU</a> <a href="https://t.co/cq01vAAn2b">pic.twitter.com/cq01vAAn2b</a></p>&mdash; Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkyNewsAust/status/1013938363752042496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2018</a></blockquote>

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One of the victims, Mr. Peter Gogarty, claimed that the probably home detention could mean that they are " letting Wilson off a little bit too lightly," though he confirmed that "we have made history here in Australia.”

"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."

Source:

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/adelaide-archbishop-philip-wilson-has-been-sentenced-to-a-minimum-of-six-months-imprisonment-for-concealing-the-historical-indecent-assault-of-two-altar-boys-by-paedophile-priest-james-fletcher-in-the-1970s/video/58031872a97c4f63cdd0d9ad71f86f23