George Pell case: Bishops praise those who kept faith, recognise suffering

Australia’s highest clergy have welcomed the High Court’s decision while also acknowledging the suffering of abuse victims.

Catholic Archbishop Mark Coleridge. Picture: Tara Croser.

Australia’s highest level of clergy have welcomed the High Court’s decision while also acknowledging the suffering of abuse victims.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said many people had believed in Cardinal George Pell's innocence throughout the lengthy process. Archbishop Mark Coleridge said the ACBC also recognised that the court’s decision would be devastating for others.

‘‘Many have suffered greatly through the process, which has now reached its conclusion,” he said. ‘‘The result … does not change the church’s unwavering commitment to child safety and to a just and compassionate response to survivors and victims of child sexua­l abuse."

He said the safety of children remained supremely important not only for the bishops, but for the entire Catholic community.

‘‘Any person with allegations of sexual abuse by church personnel should go to the police," he said.

Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli said the case had been an intense and painful time for all of those personally involved, those who had experienced abuse and for the Catholic community in Melbourne. “At the heart of this trial and appeal process have been the people involved,’’ Archbishop Comensoli said.

"I want to firstly acknowledge the person identified through the courts only as ‘J’, who brought forward his story of abuse for ex­am­ination in the courts of law. This is a right we value and honour.’’

The archbishop also acknow­ledged Cardinal Pell had steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.

‘‘This decision means the cardinal was wrongly convicted and imprisoned, and he is now free to live his life peaceably within the community,’’ he said.

Archbishop Comen­soli said the sole matter of the case was whether Cardinal Pell had committed ‘‘cer­tain despicable crimes’’ and not the broader question of how church authorities had dealt with sexual abuse by a Catholic priest.

‘‘Yet I fully appreciate that people­ have seen in this case another emblematic story of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest,’’ he said. ‘‘And it has brought a deeper weariness of soul to people of faith.’’

The archbishop said he would rededicate himself and the archdiocese to listening to victims of sexual abuse and accompanying them on pathways to justice, redress­ and healing.

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said the saga invited a broader reflection on our justice system and the treatment of high-­profile figures accused of crimes.

‘‘I thank the judges for their meticulous review of the facts and the detailed judgment setting out the reasons for acquittal,’’ he said.

Archbishop Fisher said he was pleased the cardinal would be released­ and asked that the pursuit of him that ‘‘brought us to this point now cease’’.

‘‘This has not just been a trial of Cardinal Pell, but also of our legal system and culture,’’ he said. ‘‘The cardinal’s vindication today invite­s broader reflection on our system of justice, our commitment to the presumption of innocence, and our treatment of high-profile figures accused of crimes.’’

Ballarat Bishop Paul Bird said the High Court’s decision was the culmination of many months of uncertainty. He said the trials and appeals had been distressing, with a special impact on Ballarat ­because of “Cardinal Pell’s early connections with this city’’.