Adelaide’s Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson has pleaded not guilty to concealing child sexual abuse allegations against a paedophile priest.
Wilson was not in court today but he was represented by his lawyer, Simon Buchen.
Police allege that between 2004 and 2006, Wilson concealed a child sexual abuse allegation that had been made against the late Hunter Valley paedophile priest Jim Fletcher.
Court documents say Wilson believed Fletcher had indecently assaulted a 10-year-old boy in 1971, and knew he had information which might help with Fletcher’s prosecution.
The documents say, without reasonable excuse, Wilson failed to bring that information to the attention of police.
Wilson had been an assistant parish priest in East Maitland, and worked with paedophile priest James Fletcher during the 1970s.
Mr Buchen said his client pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Wilson has previously said he was determined to prove the charge was misconceived.
Mr Buchen flagged he would apply to have the case moved from Newcastle to Sydney, but the local court magistrate said it would depend on the length of the hearing and the number of witnesses from the Hunter Valley.
The case has been adjourned to June 17.
