Adelaide archbishop Philip Wilson, who was convicted in May of covering up child sex abuse, says he won't resign from his senior position in the Catholic Church while he appeals his conviction.
Wilson stood aside from duties in May but remains the Adelaide archbishop. He was sentenced to a year in custody on Tuesday, but may not spend any time behind bars pending a home detention assessment.
He said in a statement that he will fight an appeal against his conviction.
"I am conscious of calls for me to resign and have taken them very seriously," he said.
"However, at this time, I am entitled to exercise my legal rights and to follow the due process of law. Since that process is not yet complete, I do not intend to resign at this time."
But if the appeal bid fails, Wilson said he "will immediately offer my resignation to the Holy See".
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Wednesday: "I’m surprised that he has not resigned. Clearly, given the outcome of the case, the lawsuit and prosecution, he should resign."
South Australian premier Steven Marshall also called for Wilson's resignation.
On Tuesday, Magistrate Robert Stone sentenced Wilson to 12 months in custody, with a non-parole period of six months.
But he remains on bail until a home detention assessment – which may result in serving the sentence at home – is completed.
Wilson was found to have failed to report to police the historical indecent assault of two altar boys.
During his trial Wilson said no-one had ever come forward to tell him of allegations of child sex abuse during his 40 years as a clergyman.
His lawyers made four attempts to have the case thrown out and argued Wilson's diagnosis of Alzheimer's should preclude him from trial.
He sent out a letter to Catholic schools in May asking them to "please continue to pray for me" after his conviction.