The Catholic Church really only has two options now

The Catholic Church has limited options on what to do next following the sentencing of paedophile Cardinal George Pell, writes lawyer Michael Kuzilny. Australian’s aren’t stupid and we want answers.

While the sentence of Cardinal George Pell is on the lighter scale of what many expected for such serious sexual offences against minors, for the thousands of victims who were abused by priests in the Catholic empire, the result is profound.

The Catholic empire in Australia alone is worth about $30 billion. It’s no wonder the lying, cheating and cover-ups continued for so long among fellow clergy who had full knowledge of certain minors suffering abuse.

Disgraced Pell was sentenced to at least three years and eight months in prison for the “brazen and forceful” sexual abuse of two teenage boys.

RELATED OPINION: This is what justice really looks like

Chief Judge Peter Kidd handed down a maximum sentence of six years in Melbourne’s County Court and said Pell had been “breathtakingly arrogant” in his offending.

Protesters react after the sentencing for Cardinal George Pell. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty

On December 11, Pell was found guilty on five charges related to sexual misconduct of two 13-year-old boys — the identity of both has been protected as is standard in sexual assault cases. Pell is guilty of one charge of sexual penetration of a child under 16 and four charges of an indecent act on a child under 16. The abuse took place Sunday solemn mass at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral in 1996. Each of these charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Some of the main considerations Kidd took into account during his sentencing were:

— The detailed method in which the “brazen and forcible sexual attack” took place which he further ruled involved “physical aggression and venom” and was in “abuse of your power and authority”.

— “I take into account the profound impact your offending has had on [of the victims known as] J’s life.”

— The judge also accepted that life in prison for Pell would be more onerous than for other prisoners and noted he would be registered for life as a sex offender being that the charges were multiple class one sex offences.

RELATED OPINION: Pell’s words that expose the core of the church’s problem

Six years at the top, with three years and eight months to serve. Life term on the Victorian Sex Register. Some may say it’s light but many say at least he didn’t get off on a technicality, with sexual abuse victims continuing to suffer in silence.

A man reacts as he listens to County Court Chief Judge Peter Kidd (on the monitor) speak during the sentencing. Picture: William West/AFP

Australian’s aren’t stupid. We want real. We want authentic. We want answers.

With such an increase in paedophile priests being investigated and charged for sexual offences against minors and millions of dollars paid out by the Catholic Church in Australia for sexual abuse settlements; we are smart enough to know, this is no longer a “smear campaign”.

We all know the devastating effects of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church. Families destroyed, depression, suicide, lives forever changed.

The worst thing about the whole cover-up, is fellow priests knowing about the alleged abuse, but not speaking up. These people should be ashamed of themselves, and will no doubt suffer in hell. Simply disgraceful.

Australians say no more cover ups.

There are two avenues the Catholic Church in Australia should take.

Either close its doors and acknowledge with honesty and authenticity they’ve failed Australians and caused long term damage to so many or, alternatively, undergo major reform to give Australian Catholics absolute confidence that this type of disgraceful conduct will never happen again.

Michael Kuzilny is a barrister, solicitor and author.