George Pell: Thoughts with ‘man of faith’ as well as survivors of abuse

The man who fought to keep ­George Pell out of jail has remembered him as ‘man of faith’ whose intellect he greatly admired.

Robert Richter KC. Picture: Getty Images

The man who fought to keep ­George Pell out of jail has remembered him as “man of faith” whose intellect he greatly admired, as detractors and politicians in the state whose courts sentenced the cardinal to six years’ jail said their thoughts were with survivors of church child sex abuse.

Robert Richter KC, a former chairman of the Criminal Bar Association and former president of the Victorian Council for Civil Liberties, acted as Cardinal Pell’s lead barrister during proceedings in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and County Court, which despite the dropping of numerous charges and a retrial, ultimately culminated in him being found guilty on five counts of child sexual abuse of two choirboys in Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral in 1996.

Victoria’s Court of Appeal then upheld the conviction two judges to one, with a dissenting judgment from Justice Mark Weinberg, ­before the full bench of the High Court delivered a 7-0 acquittal, with Mr Richter assisting Bret Walker SC during both appeals.

Mr Richter, a Jewish atheist, ­reflected on his relationship with one of his most prominent former clients on Wednesday, telling The Australian: “Whilst our views on religion and philosophy were obviously very, very different, I admired his intellect greatly, and found that he was actually a truly religious person, truly a man of faith, despite having to engage in the material world.”

Prominent Pell critic and ABC journalist Louise Milligan tweeted: “Pell is dead. This will be a very triggering day for a lot of people. Thinking of them,” while the publisher of Milligan’s book Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell, Louise Adler, tweeted that the book “explains” the cardinal.

“Thinking of the victims of the church for whom the justice has never been forthcoming. The abuse, the lack of moral leadership, relentless haggling over compensation is a shame that the church leaders will wear forever,” Ms Adler said.

Andrews government minister Steve Dimopoulos acknowledged the feelings of Pell’s family and friends, but echoed a statement issued by Premier Daniel Andrews following the High Court acquittal in saying his thoughts were with survivors and victims of abuse.

“Today would be a very difficult day for the cardinal’s family and loved ones, but also a very difficult day for survivors and victims of child sexual abuse and their families, and my thoughts are with them,” the Tourism, Sport, Major Events and Creative Industries Minister Steve Dimopoulos said.

When Cardinal Pell’s convictions were quashed in April 2020, Mr Andrews released a statement, saying: “I make no comment about today’s High Court decision. But I have a message for every single victim and survivor of child sex abuse: I see you. I hear you. I believe you.” Mr Andrews made no public comment on Pell’s passing on Wednesday.

After providing a character reference for the Cardinal following his conviction, former prime minister John Howard on Wednesday said he should never have faced child sexual assault charges.

“His deep and compassionate faith sustained him during more than 400 days in prison for alleged crimes which many, me included, believed should never have been the subject of charges,” Mr Howard said.

“Cardinal Pell’s trust in Australia’s justice system was vindicated when the High Court of Australia unanimously quashed his conviction. His passing is a great loss to the intellectual and spiritual life of our country.”

Victorian Liberal leader John Pesutto said Pell’s passing would “evoke deep feelings for many Victorians … those who knew him and were part of the Catholic community, but also victim survivors”.