Reactions in Australia to Cardinal George Pell’s six-year prison sentence were mixed when was it broadcast live from Victoria’s County Court in central Melbourne. Some clerical sex abuse survivors were reported as saying “even a week would have been enough”. Others said the ruling is too lenient. Some described the prosecution as proof the church Read more
Australians with a modicum of curiosity might well ask what’s been going on. Cardinal George Pell, an Australian who is one of the most senior people in the hierarchy of the Catholic church, was found guilty in December and no one till now has been allowed to know the details of the charges against him, Read more
The world now knows Cardinal George Pell was convicted in December of child sexual abuse. Lamentable as that is, the question on many Catholics’ minds is how did he reach such a position of eminence in the Catholic Church? La Croix International’s commentator Eric Hodgens has told the story of his rise in Australia and Read more
The suppression order in relation to Cardinal George Pell has been lifted. In December, a jury of 12 of his fellow citizens found him guilty of five offences of child sexual abuse. No other charges are to proceed. Cardinal Pell has appealed the convictions. The verdict was unanimous. The jury took three days to deliberate Read more
The Vatican is calling Cardinal George Pell’s conviction of sexual abuse of minors’ as “painful”, saying it “shocked many people”. In a statement, the Vatican acknowledges the “utmost respect for the Australian judicial authorities” and says the Vatican is waiting for the outcome of the appeals process. It says, (Pell) “has the right to defend Read more
Pope Francis has released three cardinals from the C9 – his Council of Cardinals. Members of the Council (known as the C9 because there are nine cardinals making up the papal advisory group) advise the pope on Church governance and reform. Its work places a special emphasis on the reform of Pastor Bonus, the apostolic Read more
Cardinal George Pell has been found guilty on five counts of historic sex offenses. The jury in a County Court of the State of Victoria, delivered a unanimous verdict on Tuesday. The verdict came after three days of deliberation and sentencing will take place in early February. Until then Pell is released on bail. This Read more
Help to pay the legal fees for Cardinal Pell is being sought. An article seeking contributions has been posted in the Catholic Weekly. Pell is fighting historical sexual assault offences charges. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney posted an article. It includes bank details for people to Read more
The Australian court has ordered Cardinal George Pell to stand trial. He will be defending historical sexual offence allegations which he denies. The Vatican has issued the following statement about the court’s decision: “The Holy See has taken note of the decision issued by judicial authorities in Australia regarding His Eminence Cardinal George Pell. “Last Read more
Final submissions in a hearing to determine whether the case against Cardinal George Pell is strong enough to warrant a trial by jury have been made. Pell, who is Pope Francis’s former finance minister, is facing several sexual abuse charges. The alleged offences date back to when he was living in Victoria. Police have described Read more