Pope accepts resignation of Australian bishop convicted of sex abuse cover-up

Francis’ move followed mounting pressure from Australian priests and even the prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull.

Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson was convicted in May of failing to report to police the repeated abuse of two altar boys by a paedophile priest in the Hunter Valley region north of Sydney during the 1970s.

He became the highest-ranking Catholic cleric ever convicted in a criminal court of covering up abuse.

Wilson had declined to resign pending an appeal of his case.

Mr Turnbull added his voice to those calling for his sacking in an appeal to Francis on July 19.

The Vatican said that Francis has accepted Wilson’s resignation.

It is the second major announcement of a sex abuse-related resignation in as many days, after Francis’ dramatic sanctioning this weekend of a US cardinal, suggesting he is keen to clean up before he heads to Dublin next month for a Catholic family rally.

Wilson, who denied the accusations, had immediately stepped aside after he was convicted but refused to resign pending an appeal. Francis has appointed a temporary administrator to run the diocese in the meantime.

In a statement issued by the archdiocese, Wilson said he had submitted his resignation to Francis of his own will on July 20 – a day after Mr Turnbull’s call – and said he hoped his decision would help abuse victims and the rest of the Catholic community heal.

He said: “I had…