He was once the third most powerful man in the Vatican
Updated: 26th February 2019, 12:41 am CARDINAL George Pell who was once the third most powerful man in the Vatican has been found guilty of molesting two choirboys after celebrating Mass. The Vatican treasurer, 77, and top financial adviser to Pope Francis is the most senior Catholic cleric ever charged with child sex abuse.
He faces a potential maximum 50-year prison term after a sentencing hearing that begins on Wednesday. He has foreshadowed an appeal. Pell had maintained his innocence throughout, describing the accusations as “vile and disgusting conduct” that went against everything he believed in. His lawyer Robert Richter had told the jury that only a “mad man” would take the risk of abusing boys in such a public place.
The first four offenses occurred at the first or second Solemn Mass that Archbishop Pell celebrated as leader of the magnificent blue-stone century-old cathedral in the center of Melbourne. Pell was wearing his full robes — though not his staff or pointed bishops’ hat — at the time. The now 34-year-old survivor told the court that Pell orally raped him, then crouched and fondled the complainant’s genitals while masturbating.
didn’t tell anyone at the time because I didn’t want to jeopardise anything. I didn’t want to rock the boat with my family, my schooling, my life,” the complainant told the jurors. The complainant testified that he feared that making such accusations against a powerful church man would cost him his place in the choir and with it his scholarship to prestigious St. Kevin’s College.
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