Pope Francis (right) with Cardinal George Pell in 2015
Australian Cardinal George Pell has been convicted of sexual misconduct, becoming the highest-ranking Vatican official to be found guilty of such a crime.
After four days of deliberations, a jury on Tuesday rendered unanimous guilty verdicts on five charges related to the abuse of two choirboys in 1996.
Pell’s trial and all details involving the accusations were covered by a court-issued gag order, which forbade all media in Australia from reporting on it.
Pell’s position as the financial controller of the Vatican makes him the third most powerful person in the Vatican.
Pope Francis has removed Pell from his Council of Cardinals, however…
…the removal of Pell, 77, from the council does not necessarily affect his treasury position, which he technically still holds, and a Vatican spokesman would not comment further.
George Pell: Pope Francis removes Australian cardinal from inner circle (The Guardian)
Previously: I Do Not Like Thee, Dr Pell
Pic: Getty
Convicted but still keeps his job.
Believe people when they show you who they are. The Vatican does not care about anyone but their own.
It’s interesting that another Australian bishop was, only last week, cleared on appeal of the charge of covering up child abuse.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/06/former-archbishop-philip-wilson-acquitted-of-covering-up-sex-abuse
He had to resign his job because of the faulty guilty verdict. Should he now get his job back?
That’s a question for the Vatican. What of it, newsjustin? You want to defend rapists?
Sorry, which rapist?
Is there a more evil organisation on the planet?
Not even spectre..
Allegedly, the gag order is in place because there’s more charges to be brought.
But once again, the catholic church protects its own (and its money) ahead of the many, many victims.
How have they specifically done so in this case? The man is on leave from his job to stand trial and, if necessary, appeal.
It’s interesting that another Australian bishop was, only last week, cleared on appeal of the charge of covering up child abuse.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/dec/06/former-archbishop-philip-wilson-acquitted-of-covering-up-sex-abuse
Interesting, maybe. I don’t know that I would call it that, but that’s a matter of opinion. It’s certainly good for us to be reminded not to paint all members of the clergy with the same brush – something which is very easy to do in light of the scope of the CC’s crimes.
But, newsjustin, what has that news story to do with this? Other than it being interesting enough to you that you linked it twice in your replies to comments expressing (imo) valid anger at the CC and the Vatican.
I raised it because it’s interesting and theyre both Australian bishops in the courts. The guy protests his innocence and has a right to appeal, just as his brother bishop has done. Even though he’s currently found guilty.
It’s also interesting that this is his second time being tried for these charges. The first trial couldn’t come to a verdict so he had to be tried again.
Pell appears to have been promoted for his great work at covering up abuse in Australia. He is as bad as the pedos he protected. Thanks for posting this story.
+1 Formerly