ADELAIDE (AUSTRALIA)
Archdiocese of Adelaide
July 30, 2018
By Archbishop Philip Wilson
To the Priests, Deacons, Religious Communities, Parish Communities, School Communities and to all people in the Archdiocese of Adelaide,
I write to inform you that on July 20, I submitted to the Holy Father, Pope Francis, my resignation from the position of Archbishop of Adelaide. I have now been informed that His Holiness has accepted my resignation.
Though my resignation was not requested, I made this decision because I have become increasingly worried at the growing level of hurt that my recent conviction has caused within the community. I had hoped to defer this decision until after the appeal process had been completed. However, there is just too much pain and distress being caused by my maintaining the office of Archbishop of Adelaide, especially to the victims of Fr Fletcher. I must end this and therefore have decided that my resignation is the only appropriate step to take in the circumstances.
I hope and pray that this decision will be a catalyst to heal pain and distress, and that it will allow everyone in the Archdiocese of Adelaide, and the victims of Fr Fletcher, to move beyond this very difficult time.
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