Pope Francis cannot ignore this: reaction as Cardinal George Pell guilty of child sex charges

Vatican spokesman says “painful” news of Pell’s conviction has shocked many, but adds that he has “the right to defend himself”.

The St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Picture: AFP

Amid angry scenes outside court as Australia’s highest-ranking Catholic, George Pell’s guilt was made public, came the fallout.

The Australian Catholic Church says it is “shocked” by Cardinal George Pell’s conviction for child sex offences while survivor advocacy groups say justice has finally been reached.

As angry critics yelled he should “burn in hell”, his AFL club removed him as vice patron.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said he was shocked by the conviction and he hoped the legal system would deliver justice.

“The same legal system that delivered the verdict will consider the appeal that the Cardinal’s legal team has lodged,” he said.

“Our hope, at all times, is that through this process, justice will be served.”

He said the church was praying for the survivors of abuse.

Vatican responds to Pell verdict

A Vatican spokesman says the “painful” news of Cardinal George Pell’s conviction for molesting choirboys in Australia has shocked many people, but adds that the prelate “has reiterated his innocence and has the right to defend himself” until the last level of justice.

Acting Holy See spokesman Alessandro Gisotti read a statement to reporters tonight at the Vatican but didn’t take questions.

He said Pope Francis has confirmed “precautionary measures” already taken against Pell, including a ban on his saying Mass in public and “as is the rule, contact in any way or form with minors.”

Morrison’s “thoughts with Pell victims”

Scott Morrison said he was “deeply shocked at the crimes of which George Pell has been convicted” and argued that no Australian was above the law.

“I respect the fact that this case is under appeal, but it is the victims and their families I am thinking of today, and all who have suffered from sexual abuse by those they should have been able to trust, but couldn’t,” the Prime Minister said.

“Their prolonged pain and suffering will not have ended today.

“While due process continues, our justice system has affirmed no Australian is above the law.

“As a country, we must continue to do everything possible to stamp out child sexual abuse in all of its forms, wherever it takes place”.

“We’ve been let down by the church”: Shorten

Bill Shorten said he had been “shocked by the revelations of the Royal Commission about institutional abuse of kids” and noted his own parish priest went to jail for 25 years.

“I can’t comment on the specific case as it is a matter under appeal,” he said.

“It is very clear that a lot of institutional sexual abuse was swept under the carpet and too often priests, rather than being punished, were moved between parishes and covered up”.

Mr Shorten said his thoughts were with the victims of clerical sexual abuse.

“It should have never happened. It’s a gross betrayal of trust. We were brought up to trust the clergy - and there are plenty of good clergy - but we’ve been fundamentally let down and the Church institutionally, and the range of churches and governments, haven’t done enough in the past”.

Pope “cannot ignore this problem”

NSW Labor senator Kristina Keneally said Cardinal Pell’s conviction goes to the “heart of the Vatican” and must lead to immediate reform in the Catholic Church.

The former NSW premier and Catholic theology scholar said the Pope must take immediate action to “confront the crisis” on child sexual abuse.

“This is an extraordinary conviction. This means that child sexual abuse now goes to the heart to the Vatican,” she told Sky News.

“Pope Francis and the hierarchy of the Vatican can no longer ignore this problem. They have been dancing around this for years. Trying to pretend like these are isolated incidents.

“Now there is a conviction of the highest levels, of someone who has served at the highest levels. Just alongside the Pope.

“On behalf of Catholics, and of behalf of victims, Pope Francis cannot ignore this problem.”

Senator Keneally has been a long-time advocate of reform in the Catholic Church on a wide range of issues, including the introduction of female priests.

“It is time for Pope Francis and the Vatican to admit that the leadership of the Church, its structures, its clericalism, its organisation has failed.

“It has failed children, it has failed parents, it has failed victims. It has done extraordinary damage to the moral authority of the Church.”

“Surprised and shaken”

Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli said he was “surprised and shaken” by the conviction.

“I fully respect the ongoing judicial process, noting that Cardinal Pell continues to protest his innocence,” he said in a statement.

“An appeal against the verdict has been lodged. It is important that we now await the outcome of this appeal, respectful of the ongoing legal proceedings.”

Richmond Football Club has today removed Cardinal George Pell as a Club Vice Patron. While acknowledging his right to appeal, the Club has formed a view that his association is no longer tenable or appropriate.

— Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) February 26, 2019

“Kids can be protected”

The SNAP Network, an international support group for survivors of clerical sexual abuse, said there were two lessons to be learnt from Pell’s conviction.

“First, police and prosecutors are doing what popes and prelates are NOT doing — exposing child molesting clerics,” SNAP said in a statement.

“Second, kids can be protected from even powerful and politically connected predators if survivors are smart and brave enough to trust law enforcement.”

“Thousands of victims have thought: ‘My perpetrator is so shrewd and popular and convincing. I won’t stand a chance if I speak up’.

“We hope Pell’s conviction will urge them to reconsider their silence and come forward to independent law enforcement officials today.”

“The worst thing you can do”

Federal Human Services Minister Michael Keenan said child sex abuse was the “worst thing you can do”.

“I don’t know the details apart from the headlines I have seen,” Mr Keenan told Sky News.

“Any crime against a child is the worst possible crime you can commit because kids are innocent and they are trusting. And to abuse that trust, no matter where you are in society, is really the worst thing you can do.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge he was shocked by the conviction and he hoped the legal system would deliver justice. Picture: Tara Croser.

“So it is pretty horrific to see … it is awful to see that in this case apparently it has gone to the highest levels of the church.”

“Nobody is above the law”

Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek said the revelations show “it is truly wonderful to live in a country where nobody is above the law.

Ms Plibersek said the conviction was a reminder of the legacy of the royal commission into institutional child abuse.

“Many of the people who spoke to the royal commission had never told their stories before, s’ she said. “The royal commission I hope has changed this country forever.”

“Difficult day for victims’

Opposition treasury spokesman Chris Bowen said today would be a “difficult day” for victims but the conviction showed the justice system working “not matter how famous or prominent” someone is.

“But I’m sure victims of sexual abuse will want to see the justice system working without fear or favour. Any Australian no matter how famous or prominent is subject to law and that is what we’re seeing played.”

“No words” to describe horror

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was “ absolutely shocked and disgusted by the details I’ve read today and I think everybody would feel the same”.

“There are no words to describe how horrible those incidents were,” she said.

“Betrayed”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said his thoughts were with the victims.

“Their pain is a tragedy, their bravery an inspiration,” he said. “They’ve been betrayed and so have good people of faith across Victoria.

“I will make further comments once all the appeal processes have been exhausted.”

Church must “commit to change”

Maurice Blackburn Abuse Law Principal Michelle James said the Catholic Church had to commit to change in the wake of the conviction.

“This must start with the Catholic Church here in Australia resolving internal dysfunction over joining the national redress scheme, such a commitment remains long overdue and is more urgent than ever in ensuring survivors have proper access to justice in seeking redress, including any that may come forward as a result of these developments.” he said.

“A long time coming”

Blue Knot Foundation President Dr Cathy Kezelman said the conviction was a long time coming.

“This is the civil system making perpetrators accountable regardless of their status, within or outside of the Church. However, arguably, in this case, this is accountability much delayed.” she said.

“As a result, many survivors harmed within the Church and some additional survivors harmed by or under the responsibility of Cardinal Pell were denied their rights to witness this justice process.”

Pope’s warning

The conviction comes after Pope Francis charted a new course for the Catholic Church to confront clergy sexual abuse and cover-up, a scandal that has consumed his papacy and threatens the credibility of the Catholic hierarchy at large.

Opening a first-ever Vatican summit on preventing abuse, Pope Francis warned 190 bishops and religious superiors last week that their flocks were demanding concrete action, not just words, to punish predator priests and keep children safe. He offered them 21 proposals to consider going forward, some of them obvious and easy to adopt, others requiring new laws.

— with wires

Pope Francis, background in the centre, at a penitential liturgy at the Vatican last week as he hosted a four-day summit on preventing clergy sexual abuse. Picture: Vincenzo Pinto/via AP)