The letter, which was sent out on Wednesday, announced Wilson – having been "found guilty of an offence" – would be stepping aside from his duties as archbishop.

"I know that we are a united community of believers, a people of hope, and we will continue to be the disciples of Jesus in the world today," wrote Wilson in the letter, which was given to students to take home to their parents or carers.



"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."

Wilson's letter first went viral on Twitter, and then Reddit, where it generated outrage over the archbishop's decision to contact children directly, via the Catholic school system.