Prayers for victims … and the guilty

Australia’s bishops accept the Court of Appeal’s decision while the Vatican says Pell is entitled to go to the High Court.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge accepts the Court of Appeal’s decision.

As Australian bishops said they accepte­d the Victorian Court of Appeal’s decision to keep George Pell behind bars, the Vatican ­reiterated that he had always maintained his innocence, upholding his right to keep fighting to the High Court.

Holy See press office director Matteo Bruni said the Vatican respec­ted the Australian judicial system and acknowledged the court’s decision.

“As the proceedings continue to develop, the Holy See recalls that the cardinal has always maintained his innocence throughout the judicial process and that it is his right to appeal to the High Court,” Mr Bruni said in a statement translated from his original Italian. “At this time, together with the church in Australia, the Holy See confirms its closeness to the victims of sexual abuse and its commitment to pursue, through the competent ecclesiastical authorities, those members of the clergy who ­commit such abuse.”

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Mark Coleridge said the bishops believed all Australians must be equal under the law and accepted the judgment against Pell accordingly.

The Archbishop of Brisbane said the bishops realised this has been and remained “a most difficult time” for survivors of child sexual abuse and those who support­ them.

“We acknowledge the pain that those abused by clergy have experienc­ed through the long process­ of the trials and appeal of Cardinal Pell,” Archbishop Coleridge said. “We also acknowledge that this judgment will be distressing to many people.

“We remain committed to doing everything we can to bring healing to those who have suffered greatly and to ensuring Catholic settings are the safest possible places for all people, but especially for children and vulnerable adults.”

Melbourne’s most senior Catholic, Archbishop Peter Comensoli, said he was “respectfully receiving” the court’s decision to reject Pell’s appeal, and his thoughts and prayers were with Pell’s surviving victim.

“That there have been two trials, and now today’s decision in the Court of Appeal: the complex­ity of the search for the truth in this matter has tested many, and may very well continue to do so,” he said.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the man who brought this matter before the courts.

“I humbly acknowledge it has been a challenging time for him, and I stand ready to offer pastoral and spiritual help, should he seek it.

“In Christian charity, I will ensur­e that Cardinal Pell is provide­d pastoral and spiritual support while he serves the remainde­r of his sentence, according to the teaching and example of Jesus to visit those in prison.”

In South Australia, Catholics have been urged to pray for the victims in the Pell case — but also to pray for the disgraced cardinal — in a letter sent to parishioners by the Archdiocese of Adelaide.

Bishop Greg O’Kelly, the ­apostolic administrator of the archdiocese of Adelaide, wrote to the state’s Catholics yesterday also promising that the church would redouble its efforts to ensure children were safe in its care.

While respectful of the Victoria­n Court of Appeal’s decis­ion, the letter also noted it was not a unanimous one and that Pell had the right to consider his options.

“There is a possibility of further appeal,” the letter states. “I am very aware that this decision will give rise to a range of responses from people and that there will be ­intense and emotive media coverage of the outcome.

“In any of our discussions and commentary we need to carefully consider, and be sensitive to, the needs of all, in particular the sur­viv­ors of abuse and their families.”

Bishop O’Kelly acknowledged the standing of the church had been damaged by the case and ­others like it.

His statement came after a tumult­uous period in the church in South Australia, with Bishop O’Kelly taking over as apostolic administrator in June last year as former archbishop Philip Wilson was continuing what would ultimat­ely be a successful fight against charges of concealing child abuse within the church.

The Archbishop of Sydney, ­Anthony Fisher, said the 2-1 appeal decision was consistent with differing views surrounding Pell’s case, and urged “calm and civility” in response to the verdict.

“Reasonable people have taken different views when presented with the same evidence and I urge everyone to maintain calm and civility,” he said.