Thanks for joining us on our live coverage of the fallout from George Pell's guilty verdict finally made public.
You can read more about the verdict across News Corp websites and papers tonight and tomorrow.
Child sex abuse victims, Australia reacts to George Pell's guilty verdict
George Pell's former school and AFL club have taken an extraordinary step after victims yelled “burn in hell” and "fry in hell forever" at him after the media was allowed to finally report on his shocking crimes. FOLLOW OUR LIVE BLOG
George Pell's former school and AFL club have taken an extraordinary step after victims yelled “burn in hell” and "fry in hell forever' at him minutes after the media was finally allowed to finally report on his shocking crimes.
St Patrick’s College at Ballarat says it will remove George Pell’s name from a building which was named in his honour. The Richmond Football Club have removed him as Club Vice Patron.
The most senior Catholic cleric ever charged with child sex abuse has been convicted of molesting two choirboys moments after celebrating Mass, dealing a new blow to the Catholic hierarchy’s credibility after a year of global revelations of abuse and cover-up.
Pell, Pope Francis’ top financial adviser and the Vatican’s economy minister, bowed his head but then regained his composure as the 12-member jury delivered unanimous verdicts in the Victoria state County Court on December 11 after more than two days of deliberation.
The court had until today forbidden publication of any details about the trial.
Pell faces a potential maximum 50-year prison term after a sentencing hearing that begins on Wednesday. He has foreshadowed an appeal.
The jury convicted Pell of abusing two 13-year-old boys whom he had caught swigging sacramental wine in a rear room of Melbourne’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral in late 1996, as hundreds of worshippers were streaming out of Sunday services.
Pell, now 77 but 55 at the time, had just been named the most senior Catholic in Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne.
Pell emerged from Victoria’s County Court to a frenzied melee of armed police, news cameras, international journalists and enraged survivors.
Tuesday is his last day of freedom, on bail, before being taken into custody ahead of sentencing for raping a choirboy and molesting another in the 1990s. Pell, 77, walking taller after a recent double-knee replacement, strode confidently past the hordes to a waiting gold Mercedes before being whisked away to potentially his last night of freedom.
He maintains his innocence and has lodged an appeal against the convictions. “You’re a disgrace,” one man yelled at Pell, who was flanked by a solicitor for the walk to his car.
“You’re going to burn in hell. Burn in hell, Pell,” another man yelled. Pell has been dressed in civilian clothes with a beige jacket, black pants and his clerical collar, throughout the court proceedings.
Police were out in force on Tuesday to maintain order outside court.
Michael, a child sexual abuse survivor advocate, told a crowd of journalists outside court that it was time to see Pell in jail.
“We want to see him fry in hell forever. He is solely responsible, in Victoria, for the pedophile damage that has been done and damaged thousands and thousands and thousands of people throughout Victoria,” he said.
A statement from the church noted that news of the conviction had shocked Catholics around the world.
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Many still believe Pell is innocent
Ed Pentin, the Rome correspondent for US newspaper the National Catholic Register, has looked at conspiracy theories that Pell was set up.
“Most people here don’t believe the verdict,” Pentin told Nine newspapers. “Most here believe Pell is innocent, certainly those who worked with him.”
George Pell is a scapegoat, not a child abuser, in my opinion. The evidence is overwhelming, says Andrew Bolt.
Bolt: Why Pell is falsely accused
George Pell is a scapegoat, not a child abuser, in my opinion. The evidence is overwhelming, says Andrew Bolt.
Governor-General's office tight-lipped on Pell verdict
Governor-General Peter Cosgrove's office would not be drawn on whether it would consider removing Cardinal Pell as a Companion of the Order of Australia.
A criminal conviction is grounds for the Governor-General to terminate an appointment to the Order or cancel an award.
A spokesman for the Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General said he was unable to comment on individual cases but noted no decision would be made until after legal proceedings wrapped up.
Picture: Alix Sweeney
"The Council for the Order of Australia investigates matters brought to its attention and considers each case individually," he said.
"After due process, the Council recommends appropriate action to the Governor-General as the Chancellor of the Order.
"This process is not finalised until court proceedings are completed.
"Notification of a termination or cancellation is announced in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette."
– Claire Bickers in Canberra
Federal Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher said the news that "someone of George Pell’s seniority within the Catholic Church has been convicted of these crimes is deeply disturbing".
"My first thoughts, however, are with the survivors who showed genuine courage to come forward," he told News Corp.
Picture: AAP
"Nothing will ever make things right for those victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, however, the National Redress Scheme is intended to go some way towards acknowledging their suffering and providing support moving forward.
"We are focused on continuing to deliver the National Redress Scheme and progressing claims as quickly and sensitively as possible."
For more details on the scheme and how victims are affected go here
– Claire Bickers in Canberra
First government minister's reaction to Pell verdict
Federal Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher said the news that "someone of George Pell’s seniority within the Catholic Church has been convicted of these crimes is deeply disturbing".
"My first thoughts, however, are with the survivors who showed genuine courage to come forward," he told News Corp.
Picture: AAP
"Nothing will ever make things right for those victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, however, the National Redress Scheme is intended to go some way towards acknowledging their suffering and providing support moving forward.
"We are focused on continuing to deliver the National Redress Scheme and progressing claims as quickly and sensitively as possible."
For more details on the scheme and how victims are affected go here
– Claire Bickers in Canberra
Greens Senator's call for GG to act
Australia’s highest-ranking Catholic Cardinal George Pell has been stripped of an honorary position at Richmond Football Club just hours after his conviction for child sex abuse was made public.
The club removed Pell as club vice-patron after his guilty verdict was revealed on Tuesday. It was a largely symbolic role which he has held since 1997. “While acknowledging his right to appeal, the club has formed a view that his association is no longer tenable or appropriate,” the Richmond Football Club said in a statement.
Pell’s relationship with the club stretches back to 1959 when he signed as a ruckman, playing for the reserves side before entering the priesthood.
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