The primary leader of the Australian Church was a victim of a judicial error and an injustice.
He was accused of abuse and sentenced to six years in prison, of which he's served one.
However, the High Court of Australia said he was sentenced without sufficient evidence and thus, must be absolved. It was seven judges' unanimous decision.
“The High Court found that the jury, acting rationally on the whole of the evidence, ought to have entertained a doubt as to the applicant's guilt with respect to each of the offences for which he was convicted, and ordered that the convictions be quashed and that verdicts of acquittal be entered in their place.”
The 78-year-old cardinal has been released from prison. He says he holds no ill will toward his accuser, and that he has always maintained his innocence.
CARD. GEORGE PELL
June 29, 2017
“I'm innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.”
A few hours after the court announced its decision, the pope celebrated Mass and prayed for all those who have been unjustly condemned.
POPE FRANCIS
“In these days of Lent, we've seen the persecution Jesus suffered, and how the doctors of the Law were relentlessly set against him. He was judged under relentless hatred, with relentless hatred, being innocent. I would like to pray today for all the people who suffer unjust sentences because of unrelenting hatred.”
This court decision is definitive, and the cardinal is free once again. It is unknown whether or not the cardinal will be compensated because of the judicial error.
The Australian bishops said the court's decision does not change their commitment to fighting abuse. They say “any person with allegations of sexual abuse by Church personnel should go to the police.”
JMB/CT
