The Catholic Church in Adelaide has pledged to continue to prioritise the safety of children and listen to survivors of abuse, following the conviction of Archbishop Philip Wilson for covering up child sex crimes during the 1970s.
With Wilson stepping aside from his duties on Friday, the church named Vicar General Philip Marshall to take charge of the archdiocese.
He will work closely with the clergy and the laity to "keep the life and renewal of the archdiocese moving forward" and pledged to focus on child protection and dealing with issues associated with abuse.
"To ensure we continue to be a church where the safety of children is paramount and where survivors of abuse are listened to and supported," he said in a statement.
The church said Fr Marshall would assume principal responsibility for liturgical duties and direction of the archdiocese while continuing to look after clergy matters and coordinating its renewal program.
He will be supported by newly-appointed adjunct Vicar General Anthoni Adimai.
Fr Adimai will also remain the parish priest at suburban Hectorville.
Chancellor Pauline Connelly has been appointed chair of the Archdiocesan Council for Child Protection and will act as the archbishop's delegate in dealing with matters related to professional standards, the police check unit and the child protection unit.
On Tuesday, Wilson was found guilty at Newcastle Local Court of failing to report to police the repeated abuse of two altar boys by pedophile priest James Fletcher in the NSW Hunter region.
He is the most senior Catholic official in the world to be charged with concealing child sexual abuse and faces a maximum two years' jail.
He said it was appropriate for him to stand aside following the court's decision and that if it became necessary at any point for him to resign, he would do so.
In a letter distributed across the archdiocese on Wednesday Wilson also asked for the Catholic faithful to "pray for me".
"We have achieved great things in all facets of the life of the archdiocese, including in our parishes, schools, social services, health and in aged care," he wrote.
The 67-year-old said he wanted to assure the Catholic faithful of his "continued prayers and best wishes".
"Please continue to pray for me."
Wilson and his legal team are studying the magistrate's decision but it remains unclear if they will appeal.
His sentencing process is scheduled to start in June.
Australian Associated Press
