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Thursday, December 07, 2017 3:40:14 AM
Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson faces magistrate-alone trial in Newcastle over alleged abuse cover-up
"fuagf -- for Francis, this way also a better/more useful approach..."
By Lucy Carter and Giselle Wakatama
Updated Wed at 2:54pm
Photo: The Adelaide Archbishop is in Newcastle after being declared fit to stand trial. (ABC News: Lucy Carter)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-06/philip-wilson-newcastle/9232284
Related Story: Catholic Archbishop's child sex cover-up trial delayed over health concerns
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-28/archbishop-philip-wilson-trial-delayed-due-to-health-concerns/9194622
Map: Newcastle 2300
http://www.google.com/maps/place/Newcastle%202300/@-32.9298,151.7828,5z
Archbishop Philip Wilson has appeared in court in Newcastle on one count of covering up an indictable offence after being declared fit to stand trial.
He flew into Newcastle today from Adelaide for the magistrate-alone trial.
The 67-year-old is accused of covering up abuse by priest Jim Fletcher in the Hunter Valley in the 1970s.
The Adelaide Archbishop is the most senior Catholic in the world to be charged with this offence.
Last week, Archbishop Wilson's legal team told Newcastle Local Court their client had just had a pacemaker put in and had received an Alzheimer's diagnosis after a fall.
His barrister, Stephen Odgers, told the court his client had memory problems and may lack the capacity to give evidence or direct his legal team.
He argued for an adjournment of the Archbishop's trial to allow for a higher cognitive assessment by a neuropsychologist.
That was done yesterday and he was deemed fit, meaning he was able to fly to Newcastle.
Abuse survivors call for retirement
After his statement was released, some abuse survivors called for the Archbishop to step down in the wake of his diagnosis.
But Archbishop Wilson resisted.
"If a point comes in the next eight years before my mandatory retirement, and I am advised by my doctors that the effects of
Alzheimer's disease might be beginning to impair my ability to function properly as Archbishop, I will offer my resignation," he said.
"I have informed Pope Francis' ambassador in Australia, the Apostolic Nuncio, of my diagnoses and will provide him with the medical reports."
The Archbishop said he hoped to reach out to others with Alzheimer's "to be a sign of support and encouragement to them".
Mr Odgers previously said his client was keen to have his day in court.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-06/philip-wilson-trial-in-newcastle/9230604
Much more background here
Archbishop Philip Wilson to step aside from duties to prepare trial defence
David Marr Friday 9 June 2017 14.59 AEST
* Adelaide archbishop to concentrate on charge of failing to report child abuse
* Foiled attempt to avoid prosecution means other figures could face court
Philip Wilson, the archbishop of Adelaide, is the most senior Catholic to have been
charged with failing to report child sex abuse. Photograph: David Mariuz/AAP
David Marr
Friday 9 June 2017 14.59 AEST
Last modified on Friday 9 June 2017 17.16 AEST
Philip Wilson, archbishop of Adelaide, is preparing to step aside from his duties after the New South Wales court of appeal unanimously dismissed his latest attempt to have a charge of failing to report child abuse quashed.
A spokeswoman for archbishop told Guardian Australia. “Now that there has been clarification on some of the points of law which arise, the archbishop is keen to move onto the trial preparation phase and will take time away from his duties when the trial approaches so that he can prepare his defence and demonstrate his innocence.”
Wilson is the most senior Catholic in the world to be charged with failing to report child sex abuse. He stood aside in March 2015 after a magistrate held he had to stand trial but resumed duties in Adelaide early last year as his legal team continued to fight through the courts.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/09/archbishop-philip-wilson-to-step-aside-from-duties-when-he-faces-trial-for-failing-to-report-child-abuse
"fuagf -- for Francis, this way also a better/more useful approach..."
By Lucy Carter and Giselle Wakatama
Updated Wed at 2:54pm
Photo: The Adelaide Archbishop is in Newcastle after being declared fit to stand trial. (ABC News: Lucy Carter)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-06/philip-wilson-newcastle/9232284
Related Story: Catholic Archbishop's child sex cover-up trial delayed over health concerns
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-28/archbishop-philip-wilson-trial-delayed-due-to-health-concerns/9194622
Map: Newcastle 2300
http://www.google.com/maps/place/Newcastle%202300/@-32.9298,151.7828,5z
Archbishop Philip Wilson has appeared in court in Newcastle on one count of covering up an indictable offence after being declared fit to stand trial.
He flew into Newcastle today from Adelaide for the magistrate-alone trial.
The 67-year-old is accused of covering up abuse by priest Jim Fletcher in the Hunter Valley in the 1970s.
The Adelaide Archbishop is the most senior Catholic in the world to be charged with this offence.
Last week, Archbishop Wilson's legal team told Newcastle Local Court their client had just had a pacemaker put in and had received an Alzheimer's diagnosis after a fall.
His barrister, Stephen Odgers, told the court his client had memory problems and may lack the capacity to give evidence or direct his legal team.
He argued for an adjournment of the Archbishop's trial to allow for a higher cognitive assessment by a neuropsychologist.
That was done yesterday and he was deemed fit, meaning he was able to fly to Newcastle.
Abuse survivors call for retirement
After his statement was released, some abuse survivors called for the Archbishop to step down in the wake of his diagnosis.
But Archbishop Wilson resisted.
"If a point comes in the next eight years before my mandatory retirement, and I am advised by my doctors that the effects of
Alzheimer's disease might be beginning to impair my ability to function properly as Archbishop, I will offer my resignation," he said.
"I have informed Pope Francis' ambassador in Australia, the Apostolic Nuncio, of my diagnoses and will provide him with the medical reports."
The Archbishop said he hoped to reach out to others with Alzheimer's "to be a sign of support and encouragement to them".
Mr Odgers previously said his client was keen to have his day in court.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-06/philip-wilson-trial-in-newcastle/9230604
Much more background here
Archbishop Philip Wilson to step aside from duties to prepare trial defence
David Marr Friday 9 June 2017 14.59 AEST
* Adelaide archbishop to concentrate on charge of failing to report child abuse
* Foiled attempt to avoid prosecution means other figures could face court
Philip Wilson, the archbishop of Adelaide, is the most senior Catholic to have been
charged with failing to report child sex abuse. Photograph: David Mariuz/AAP
David Marr
Friday 9 June 2017 14.59 AEST
Last modified on Friday 9 June 2017 17.16 AEST
Philip Wilson, archbishop of Adelaide, is preparing to step aside from his duties after the New South Wales court of appeal unanimously dismissed his latest attempt to have a charge of failing to report child abuse quashed.
A spokeswoman for archbishop told Guardian Australia. “Now that there has been clarification on some of the points of law which arise, the archbishop is keen to move onto the trial preparation phase and will take time away from his duties when the trial approaches so that he can prepare his defence and demonstrate his innocence.”
Wilson is the most senior Catholic in the world to be charged with failing to report child sex abuse. He stood aside in March 2015 after a magistrate held he had to stand trial but resumed duties in Adelaide early last year as his legal team continued to fight through the courts.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/09/archbishop-philip-wilson-to-step-aside-from-duties-when-he-faces-trial-for-failing-to-report-child-abuse
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