Tony Abbott makes call to his ‘friend’ George Pell after ‘shocking’ guilty verdict

Former prime minister Tony Abbott spoke to Cardinal George Pell — who he considers a friend — after the “shocking and devastating” guilty verdict against the senior Catholic clergymen on Tuesday.

• George Pell to spend first night behind bars
• PM backs push to strip Pell’s Order of Australia

Former prime minister Tony Abbott called Cardinal George Pell after the “shocking and devastating” guilty verdict against the senior Catholic clergymen was announced.

Mr Abbott told 2GB he had spoken to Pell on Tuesday after the judgement was handed down.

“I have spoken to George Pell,” he said. “It was a call that I put into him, yes I called him.”

Former prime minister Tony Abbott says the verdict is shocking. Picture: AAP

MORE NEWS:

$2.8b Central Coast transformation at Tuggerah

Ambitious office managers rips off employer $2.4m

Cop investigated for multiple sexual harassment claims

Mr Abbott refused to reveal what was said during the phone call but said he had spoken to Pell about the allegations against him in the past.

“I’ve had conversations with the Cardinal … and his position privately is the same as the position that his lawyer has expressed,” he said.

Mr Abbott said guilty verdict was a “shocking” and “devastating” result.

“For the friends of Cardinal Pell and … I am one, devastating for all who believe in the Catholic Church, I’m also one of those,” he said.

“This is a grim time, no doubt about that.”

Cardinal George Pell arrives at court on Wednesday. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Mr Abbott said he accepted Pell had been deemed to be a paedophile and a guilty man under the law.

“No one should be above the law, but let’s wait and see what the law ultimately produces, because that’s what we’ll know once this thing has gone through an appeal,” he said.

When asked about Pell’s poor track record in dealing with allegations of child sex abuse Mr Abbott said he would be the “last person” to say that “anyone has always acted perfectly”.

“Just as the victim said that he wasn’t a spokesman for all victims, I can’t be a spokesman for the Catholic Church, I can’t be a spokesman for Cardinal Pell,” he said.

“It’s certainly possible at a time like this, to make very harsh judgments about people, I accept that.”