Former Vatican treasurer, Cardinal George Pell sentenced to six years in prison for sexually assaulting two choirboys
Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Vatican official to be convicted of sex abuse to date, has been sentenced to six years in prison for the “callous” assault of two choirboys in the late 1990s.
A former senior adviser to Pope Francis, Pell showed no reaction when Chief Judge Peter Kidd handed down his sentence in a hearing broadcast live worldwide on Wednesday from Victoria’s County Court in central Melbourne.
Pell, 77, was found guilty of one count of sexual penetration of a child and four counts of committing an indecent act with a child last December after a secret five-week trial.
Reporting of the trial and verdict was suppressed by the court to avoid prejudicing a second trial, which crown prosecutors abandoned in February after the judge ruled some prosecution evidence couldn’t be submitted.
On Wednesday, Judge Kidd said Pell’s attack on the victims was “breathtakingly arrogant” adding that the cardinal had assaulted the boys with “callous indifference to the victims’ distress.” But the judge said Pell was “not to be made a scapegoat for any failings or perceived failings of the Catholic Church.”
Outside the court, survivors of Catholic sex abuse who had attended the hearing were divided on the sentence. Some felt it was too light, while others were happy to see justice being done. “I would have been happy with one month, one week,” one said.
In a statement after the sentencing, the surviving victim said it was hard for him “to take comfort in this outcome. There is no rest for me,” he said through his lawyer, Vivian Waller. “I’m doing my best to hold myself and my family together.”
Until last month Pell held the role of Vatican treasurer, considered by many to be the third most senior position within the Roman Catholic Church.
Samklef, popular Nigerian music producer, swiftly responded to singer Adekunle Gold's severe warning about calling out his wife, Simi. Recall that… Read More
Taiwo Cole's father has revealed in an audio clip circulating online why his son's marriage to actress Wofai Fada won't work… Read More
Adekunle Gold, a well-known artist from Nigeria, severely chastises Samklef for disrespecting his wife Simi. Recall that the music producer… Read More
Moses Bliss, popular Nigerian gospel singer, and his wife, Marie Wiseborn, have sparked pregnancy speculation following a viral video of their… Read More
Big Brother Naija reality star Somadina Anyama, often known as Soma, received an enthusiastic birthday surprise from fans who gave… Read More
A viral video captures the moment a pastor uses prayer to send a miraculous credit alert on a man's phone… Read More
This website uses cookies.