Australia / Oceania

Australian Judge Grants Former Archbishop's Conviction Appeal

Former Archbishop Philip Wilson was found guilty in May of not telling police a fellow priest abused two altar boys in the 1970s.

Australian Judge Grants Former Archbishop's Conviction Appeal
Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide

An Australian court has granted the appeal of former archbishop Philip Wilson. 

Before we get into that, here's some information about the case: In May, Wilson was found guilty of not telling police a fellow priest abused two altar boys in the 1970s. He was sentenced to 12 months of home detention. 

Wilson resigned from his post as archbishop in July. He was the highest-ranking Catholic official to ever be convicted of covering up child sexual abuse. He appealed the ruling.

On Thursday, a judge granted Wilson's appeal, saying he had doubts about the conviction and that he believed Wilson was an honest witness. Prosecutors reportedly plan to appeal that decision.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.