LONDON (ENGLAND)
The Tablet
June 4, 2018
By Christopher Lamb
Wilson is the highest ranking Church figure to be convicted of such an offence – last month announced he would step aside from his duties
Pope Francis has appointed an interim leader of the Archdiocese of Adelaide after its archbishop, Philip Wilson, was found guilty of covering up child sexual abuse.
Bishop Gregory O’Kelly was on Sunday named apostolic administrator of the church in Adelaide, a role which hands him the executive functions of an archbishop but without the title.
The new administrator, who is a Jesuit and Bishop of neighbouring Port Pirie diocese, takes over an archdiocese plunged into crisis by the decision of a court in New South Wales to convict Archbishop Wilson of concealing abuse committed by a priest in the 1970s.
The 67-year-old prelate is the highest ranking figure in the Church to be convicted of such an offence and last month announced he would step aside from his duties.
While the archdiocese said a vicar-general would take over Archbishop Wilson’s responsibilities, Francis’ move overrides that decision and gives the archdiocese episcopal leadership from a figure outside the diocese.
Apostolic administrators are normally appointed when a bishop cannot fulfil his duties or has died. They govern in the name of the Pope until a new bishop is appointed. While administration have the same powers as a bishop their powers are restricted when it comes to selling property, restructuring a diocese and appointing new priests to parishes.
As result, Archbishop Wilson technically remains the Archbishop of Adelaide. The archbishop, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, maintains his innocence despite his conviction and says he cannot remember being told about allegations of abuse committed by priest James – “Jim” – Fletcher.
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