The new Pope seemed like a reformer to Catholics like Kristina Keneally, but he is really just like all his predecessors, as has become obvious.
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The chaplaincy program won’t change if the Liberals/Nationals win the next Federal election, and it will stay if Labor wins with it being extended to secular workers in addition to chaplains. Yet, the Labor dominated ACT government wants to totally axe the program in the ACT.
Good on them for ditching this dodgy programme of indoctrination (which is well known by now, and was entirely predictable and predicted when the LNP first introduced it).
Hopefully other jurisdictions stop it too, instead of just waiting for the federal election.
Now it can be revealed why Pope Francis removed George Pell from his informal cabinet in December, amid the Catholic Church’s sex abuse and cover-up scandal.
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Has he appealed his convictions? Sorry just read the article. So the second trial was dropped by prosecutors and he is appealing the conviction. Personally, I believe the first conviction will be over turned.
Surprised prosecutors dropped the second trial. Obviously not a lot of evidence. Considering the first trial had one that resulted in a mistrial this has costed a lot. He is appealing the convictions and will likely have those overturned.
And that’s your considered legal opinion, is it?
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Well I am in my last year of law. But a friend of mine who has been to the trials has suggested the same thing, with legal experience.
One of the accusers in the second trial passed away last year which wouldn’t help. The charges dropped were dating back to the 1970s.
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Hung jury, not that unusual.
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No its not but proves how difficult it is to prove such cases. Guess we will see what happens in a few weeks when his appeal goes through. From what I have studied if a defendant takes the stand and denies the allegations there has to be good reason why you discredit or find his evidence not trustworthy. I believe a judge would come to a different conclusion to a jury.
Typical lawyers getting the date wrong. Unless it was sent out last night.
About four other cases were dropped over the past couple of years. It will be interesting what happens with the appeal.
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Regardless of any appeal Pell’s professional and probably personal life has been destroyed so that’s punishment in itself… that can’t be undone.
Of course if he’s guilty and that’s the ruling of the courts at this moment then he deserves a lengthy jail term all the more so because because he was a figure of spiritual and moral authority in the community, as misplaced as that status has been revealed to be.
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Less a comment on coverage, more on the event itself, but I hope that this conviction opens the floodgates for convicting more pedophile priests not only in the Catholic Church but all religious orders worldwide. This is an historic event and a great opportunity.
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My guess is eighteen months. The maximum term is reportedly 30 years, but I can’t see Pell getting anywhere near that.
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and so it should but I do hope that it doesn’t become a case of tarring all with the same brush. I can fully understand how people come to those conclusions with the way things get reported and the no distinguishing between the church and the Church (the Catholic Church have the capital C). The Catholics have made some terrible decisions with their governance and the hiding of things and the protection of people and they are still talking about hiding things meanwhile other churches have had various levels of protection in place for 20-30 years and long before the laws required them to do things.
I agree if he is guilty which is what the outcome currently is he deserves a lengthy jail term. If it turns out not guilty he doesn’t deserve the punishment you listed in your first paragraph. However, this will stick with him until he dies.
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The Bible quotes Jesus as saying that what Pell has been convicted of is deserving of the harshest punishment. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6. I’ve got no problem with Ten here.
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