Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson — the most senior Catholic in the world to be convicted of concealing child sex abuse.

Key points: Prime Minister says the resignation is overdue

Prime Minister says the resignation is overdue Australian Catholic Bishops Conference says the decision "may bring some comfort" to those who were abused

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference says the decision "may bring some comfort" to those who were abused Abuse survivors say they are relieved

There had been intense pressure on Philip Wilson to officially step down from the role, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other political leaders among those calling for his resignation.

In May, Wilson was found guilty of covering up the abuse of children at the hands of paedophile priest Jim Fletcher in the 1970s.

Fletcher died in prison in 2006.

In a statement, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said Wilson had "decided that his conviction means he can no longer continue as Archbishop because to do so would continue to cause pain and distress to many, especially to survivors and also in the Archdiocese of Adelaide".

"While the judicial process will continue, Archbishop Wilson's resignation is the next chapter in a heartbreaking story of people who were sexually abused at the hands of Jim Fletcher and whose lives were forever changed," the statement read.

"This decision may bring some comfort to them despite the ongoing pain they bear."

Pope Francis accepted Philip Wilson's resignation on Monday night. ( Supplied: Australian Catholic Bishops Conference )

The Prime Minister said the resignation was overdue.

"I welcome Philip Wilson's resignation as Archbishop of Adelaide today which belatedly recognises the many calls, including my own, for him to resign," Mr Turnbull said on Monday night.

"There is no more important responsibility for community and church leaders than the protection of children."

It is understood Mr Turnbull was advised on the weekend that the Archbishop would be resigning.

Wilson was sentenced to 12 months' detention earlier this month and has said he intends to lodge an appeal.

Port Pirie Bishop Greg O'Kelly has been filling in as apostolic administrator of the Adelaide Archdiocese, taking over Philip Wilson's responsibilities.

'Too much pain in my maintaining office': Wilson

In a media release from the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide, Wilson said he hoped and prayed that his decision would be a "catalyst to heal pain and distress".

Archbishop Philip Wilson was found guilty in May. ( Facebook: Lithuanians in South Australia )

"On July 20 I submitted to the Holy Father, Pope Francis, my resignation from the position of Archbishop of Adelaide," he said.

"I have now been informed that His Holiness has accepted my resignation.

"Though my resignation was not requested, I made this decision because I have become increasingly worried at the growing level of hurt that my recent conviction has caused within the community.

"I had hoped to defer this decision until after the appeal process had been completed.

"However, there is just too much pain and distress being caused by my maintaining the office of Archbishop of Adelaide, especially to the victims of Fr Fletcher.

"I must end this and therefore have decided that my resignation is the only appropriate step to take in the circumstances."

Survivors 'vindicated' by resignation

Abuse survivor Peter Gogarty said he was relieved that Wilson had resigned.

"[I feel] some sense that I've been vindicated and so have other people who've made claims against Archbishop Wilson," he said.

"But the biggest thing I think is relief that finally he's responded to the calls that have been echoing around the country for the last few weeks that his position is untenable.

"I think so many people have seen his refusal to resign as a matter of his ego not wanting to let go, rather than him deciding what was good for child abuse survivors and what was good for the reputation of the church that he serves.

"So I think there's going to be a lot of relief and a lot of people saying: 'well it's a bit late but thank goodness he's done this'."