The Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson says he's disappointed that NSW police have decided to charge him with concealing child sex abuse.
"The suggestion appears to be that I failed to bring to the attention of police a conversation I am alleged to have had in 1976, when I was a junior priest, that a now deceased priest had abused a child," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
"From the time this was first brought to my attention last year, I have completely denied the allegation."
The archbishop said he intended to "vigorously defend my innocence" and had retained Ian Temby SC to represent him in the judicial system.
He said he was unable to make any further comment.
"But I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm my commitment to dealing proactively with the issue of child sexual abuse and the implementation of best-practice child protection measures which I have pioneered since becoming a bishop."
He said his efforts had been widely acknowledged, including as a result of evidence he gave last year at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
"I would again like to express my deep sorrow for the devastating impact of clerical sex abuse on victims and their families, and I give an assurance that despite this charge, I will continue to do what I can to protect the children in our care in the Archdiocese of Adelaide."
He said he now intended to go on leave to consult with "a wide range of people in response to the information I have received today."
A large media pack has gathered outside a church where Archbishop Wilson is understood to be in a meeting.
As they waited outside Adelaide's St Francis Xavier Cathedral on Tuesday, many worshippers were learning of the allegations against Archbishop Wilson for the first time.
"It would be quite serious if it's true," churchgoer Kevin told AAP.
"I thought he came over here to clean all that up."
A Catholic Church spokeswoman told AAP the archbishop would not be fronting the media.
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