Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson will stand aside - but not yet resign - after being convicted of covering up child sexual abuse during the 1970s.
The 67-year-old was on Tuesday 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.
In a statement issued by the Catholic Church on Wednesday, Wilson said it was appropriate to stand down in light of Magistrate Robert Stone's findings.
"If at any point in time it becomes necessary or appropriate for me to take more formal steps, including by resigning as Archbishop, then I will do so," he said.
Wilson intends to stand aside from Friday, once he has put in place "necessary administrative arrangements".
He is still considering Mr Stone's reasons alongside his legal advisors.
"In the meantime, while the remainder of the legal process runs its course, I want to assure the Catholic faithful in the Archdiocese of my continued prayers and best wishes and assure everyone that the affairs of the Archdiocese will be appropriately managed in my absence," the clergyman said.
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said once convicted, the archbishop's position became "untenable".
"It was the only decision the Archbishop could make to stand aside," Mr Marshall said.
"Now I suppose we need to determine if he's going to appeal against the conviction."
The premier described the issue facing the church as a result of the conviction as "very difficult".
"We have to see what the church will do. What action they will take," he said.
"I think there's still some time to go in this case."
SA-BEST MP Connie Bonaros said in the wake of the archbishop's conviction her party would introduce legislation to state parliament requiring priests to report any admissions of sexual abuse or other serious crimes, even if they were made during confession.
"Enough is enough. The sanctity of the confessional for child abuse allegations and other serious crimes must be immediately removed," Ms Bonaros said.
"Too many monsters have been protected over the years by priests hiding behind the antiquated secrecy of the confessional.
"It is abhorrent and needs to end."
Australian Associated Press