George Pell decision: Archbishop Peter Comensoli says court decision ‘shows Pell wrongly convicted, imprisoned’
Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli says George Pell should now be free to ‘live his life peacably within the community.’
- Late choirboy’s dad: Fury at court decision
- Victims advocate: abused never free
- Sydney archbishop: A trial of justice system
- Melb archbishop: Conviction shown to be wrong
- RC Bishops: Decision both welcome and devastating
- Ballarat bishop: Hope for resolution for all
- Tassie archbishop: Vindication for Pell
- Victoria police: Remain committed to abuse probes
Cardinal George Pell has walked free after 405 days in jail after the High Court quassed his conviction on child sex abuse charges on Tuesday. The cardinal has left Barwon Prison near Geelong, after an extraordinary legal fight to clear his name.
It took High Court Chief Justice Susan Kiefel only about a minute to deliver the history-making decision.
The cardinal was convicted in December 2018 of raping a 13-year-old choirboy and molesting his friend after a Sunday Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne in 1996.
In his first statement since his conviction Cardinal Pell, 78, said he had no ill-will towards his accuser, whose story was rejected 7-0 by the High Court.
The High Court decision has been welcomed by many in the Catholic church while victim advocates are now concerned victims will return to suffering in silence.
High court has made its decision: PM
Scott Morrison has called for the High Court’s decision to release Cardinal George Pell to be respected.
The Prime Minister — who delivered the apology to victims on institutional child sex abuse — also said the news of Cardinal Pell’s exoneration would affect Australians abused as children and his throughts were with them.
“The High Court has made its decision,” he said.
“I know for many Australians just the memories of things — that completely are unrelated to that case, which has been addressed in the High Court - just the mere discussion of these topics brings back great hurt and when these things are raised my thoughts are always with them.
“The High Court — the highest court in the land — has made its decision and that must be respected.”
Late choirboy’s dad: Fury at High Court decision
The father of the dead choirboy who was allegedly abused by Cardinal George Pell is furious with the High Court’s decision, his lawyer says.
The man, who cannot be identified, has lost faith with Australia’s criminal justice system, said Shine Lawyers’ national practice leader Lisa Flynn.
“He has no doubt George Pell sexually abused his son and that his son’s sudden turmoil was a direct result of the abuse he suffered inside Melbourne’s Catholic Cathedral at the hands of George Pell,” Ms Flynn said.
“He is furious, the man he believes is responsible for sexually abusing his son was convicted by a unanimous jury only to have that decision overturned today allowing George Pell to walk free from jail.”
Ms Flynn said her client believed the surviving choirboy to be an upstanding citizen who had nothing to gain from speaking out other than to protect other children from the pain and suffering he has to live with on a daily basis.
“Our client says he is heartbroken for the surviving victim who stuck his neck out by coming forward to tell his story but was ultimately let down by a legal process that forced him to relive his pain and trauma for no benefit.”
The father is taking civil action against the Catholic Church in a separate lawsuit.
Civil cases have a different standard of proof, the balance of probabilities and whether it is more probable that not the abuse occurred and caused the man to suffer injury.
#BREAKING: George Pell arrives at the Carmelite Monastery in Kew. #9News pic.twitter.com/Dzl3SnWusL
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) April 7, 2020
‘Abuse victims never free’
Victims advocates have described the decision to release Cardinal Pell as devastating.
Blue Knot Foundation president Cathy Kezelman said: “For many survivors, this decision will be crushing as the immense courage it takes to stand up and be seen and heard is enormous. “Pell now has his freedom, but many abuse victims have never been free - trapped in the horror of the crimes which decimated their lives.” Victim advocate Chrissie Foster, whose now-deceased daughters were abused by a pedophile priest, also said the court’s decision was devastating. “It’s tragic because it says to victims don’t bother coming forward,” she told 3AW.
“I can imagine George Pell going back to the Vatican and staying there.”
Daniel Andrews ‘believes every victim’
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says he believes “every single victim and survivor of child sex abuse”, following the High Court’s unanimous quashing of Cardinal George Pell’s conviction today.
“I make no comment about today’s High Court decision,” Mr Andrews said in a short statement.
“But I have a message for every single victim and survivor of child sex abuse: I see you. I hear you. I believe you.”
Sydney Archbishop: A trial of our judicial system
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher has thanked the High Court justices for their acquittal but said the saga invited a broader reflection on our justice system and 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.
“After reviewing all the evidence before the Court of Appeal, the High Court identified “a body of evidence that raised lively doubts as to the commission of the offences” and concluded that there was a significant possibility “that an innocent person has been convicted”.
Archbishop Fisher said he was pleased the Cardinal would now 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.”
St Patricks College to review Pell naming honours
The Catholic school in Ballarat where dozens of boys were abused by some of the church’s most notorious pedophiles has sent a message to the school community regarding naming honours previously bestowed on one of the local priests George Pell.
Breaking: George Pell has left HM Prison Barwon after being incarcerated for more than 400 days. He’s in the backseat in the middle black car. More @australian pic.twitter.com/cF8mDxrDJR
— Remy Varga (@RemyVarga) April 7, 2020
The statement from Edmund Rice Education Australia, the St Patrick’s College Board, the Old Collegians Association and the school’s executive said they understood the High Court judgment would “generate much discussion in our community”.
“St Patrick’s College and its governmors now await the release of the full findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse,” the statement said.
Portions of the report relating to Cardinal Pell were redacted, including his purported knowledge of abuse in the diocese.
“Upon their release, the College will review the findings and determine what, if any, steps to take with respect to naming honours previously bestowed upon Cardinal Pell,” they said.
“We remain ever mindful of the traumatic impact of child sexual abuse wherever and whenever this has occurred and St Patrick’s College will continue its ongoing commitment to work with and support victims and survivors of sexual abuse.”
Decision shows Pell ‘wrongly convicted’
Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli has said the High Court’s decision to quash Cardinal George Pell’s conviction on child sex charges meant “Cardinal Pell was wrongly convicted and imprisoned.”
He said the case had been an intense and painful time for all of those personally involved, those who have 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.”
Archbishop Comensoli, who has said he would go to jail to protect the seal of the confessional over child abuse, also acknowledged that 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 peacably within the community.”
Mobile Users: Click here to read Archbishop Comensoli’s letter in full
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 have 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 re-dedicate himself and the Archdiocese to listenting to victims of sexual abuse and accompanying them on pathways to justice, redress and healing.
Catholic Bishops acknowledge devastation
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has acknowledged the decision to quash Cardinal George Pell’s conviction on child sex charges would be devastating for many, while being welcomed by others
In a statement, ACBC President Archbishop Mark Coleridge said the many who welcomed the decision included those who had believed in the Cardinal’s innocence throughout the lengthy process.
“We also recognise that the High Court’s decision will be devastating for others,” he said.
“Many have suffered greatly through the process, which has now reached its conclusion.
“The result today 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,” the archbishop said.
‘Hope for resolution for all’
Ballarat Bishop Paul Bird said he hoped the decision would bring some sense of resolution to all those affected by the proceedings, as Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous hailed Cardinal Pell’s acquittal as a “vindication.”
Bishop Bird said the outcome was the culmination of many months of uncertainty.
“The whole process of trials and appeals has been distressing, most immediately for those directly involved in the court proceedings, but also for others in the community, including victims and survivors of abuse and their families,” he said.
Bishop Bird said the case had a special impact on those who live in Ballarat and the diocese because of Cardinal Pell’s early connections with the area.
Mobile users: Click here for Bishop Bird’s statement
“The case has divided opinions in legal circles and in the general community,” he said.
“Now that the highest court in the land has given a judgment, I hope this will bring some sense of resolution to all those affected by the proceedings.”
Archbishop Porteous: vindication for Pell
Archbishop Porteous tempered his praise for the verdict with a pledge to continue to seek justice for abuse survivors.
“Cardinal Pell has maintained throughout the lengthy judicial process that he was not guilty
of the charges laid against him, and today’s decision vindicates his consistent claims in that regard,” Archbishop Porteous said.
“I am grateful for the professional and exacting legal review of the convictions by the High Court.
“The Catholic Church in Tasmanian remains committed to seeking justice for the survivors
of abuse and their families, and prays for healing for all who have suffered.”
However Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos tweeted that she believed “all victims of child abuse”.
“I’m sending my solidarity and love to all victims of child abuse. Keep speaking up. I believe you,” Ms Mikakos tweeted.
I’m sending my solidarity and love to all victims of child abuse. Keep speaking up. I believe you.
— Jenny Mikakos MP #StayHomeSaveLives (@JennyMikakos) April 7, 2020
‘Police should feel excruciating sense of responsibility’
Australian Catholic University vice-president professor Greg Craven has said some members of Victoria Police and the ABC should feel an “excruciating” sense of responsibility for the legal trials of Cardinal George Pell.
Professor Craven provided a character reference for Cardinal Pell in his sentencing in the County Court back in 2019, describing him as a “dear friend”.
Professor Craven said Cardinal Pell’s gruff public presentation did not match his private persona as a “deeply sensitive person”.
On Tuesday Professor Craven said Cardinal Pell should never have been prosecuted and then convicted.
“What I would say is this is the result that I think most lawyers had anticipated,” he said.
Although he added the decision came later in the process than most would have expected.
“Now at the end you get the obvious result, the stunning result: seven - nil decision of the High Court,’ Professor Craven said.
Despite the legal victory, Professor Craven said incredible damage had been done.
“The Cardinal was imprisoned wrongly,” he said.
He said there was a group of media and police particularly who pushed the case “that was always going to fall apart”.
In his character reference, Professor Craven said Cardinal Pell had a charitable disposition and was thoughtful and considerate.
“[He’s] notably charitable in respect of the failings of both friends and enemies, though not himself,” Professor Craven said.
“He has a profound sense of humour, most often expressed at his own expense.”
‘A failure in the system’
Key advocacy group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests said they worried about the repercussions of the decision.
SNAP Australia Coordinator Steven Spaner said victims would interpret the High Court judgment as a failure in the system.
“[They’ll see there’s] no reason to come forward, no reason to seek help and just suffer,” he said.
“It was hoped by all of the survivors that the court would hold up the justice system.”
Mobile users: Click here to read the HIgh Court decision in full
Victims ‘will suffer in silence’
Slater and Gordon abuse lawyer Nick Hart said some victims would continue to suffer in silence now that Pell’s sex abuse convictions have been overturned by the High Court.
“Survivors were given the confidence to come forward and report the abuse they had suffered and to seek justice, when the appeal judges dismissed George Pell’s case on 21 August last year,” he said.
“The reality is that they have all been watching closely, and some would have been relying on this final decision for the strength to come forward now or in future.”
Mr Hart said the High Court’s judgment meant many abuse victims would continue suffering in silence and may lose hope that they will ever be believed.
Victoria Police respond
Victoria Police said in a statement: “We respect the decision of the High Court in this matter and continue to provide support to those complainants involved.
“Victoria Police remains committed to investigating sexual assault offences and providing justice for victims no matter how many years have passed.
“We would also like to acknowledge the tireless work on this case by Taskforce Sano investigators over many years.”
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