- George Pell, Australia’s most senior Catholic cleric, has been convicted of sexually assaulting two 13-year-old choirboys in 1996 and 1997 at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
- Pell was the archbishop of Melbourne at the time and until recently, also one of Pope Francis’ closest advisors.
- The conviction was handed down by the Victorian County Court in December last year but a suppression order prevented media outlets in Australia from reporting his identity until now.
- Pell’s legal team indicated they would appeal the conviction. He will attend a pre-sentence hearing on Wednesday and is expected to be sentenced in the next two weeks.
George Pell, Australia’s most senior Catholic cleric, has been convicted of sexually assaulting two 13-year-old choirboys in 1996 and 1997 at Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Pell was the archbishop of Melbourne at the time and until recently, also one of Pope Francis’ closest advisors. His conviction will send shockwaves through the Catholic Church, which has been trying to deal with the implications and widespread damage of institutional sexual abuse.
The conviction was handed down by the Victorian County Court in December last year but a suppression order prevented media outlets in Australia from reporting his identity until now.
Pell was found guilty of sexual penetration of a child under 16 years old and four counts of an indecent act with or in the presence of a child, according to the ABC.
Pell’s legal team indicated they would appeal the conviction. He will attend a pre-sentence hearing on Wednesday and is expected to be sentenced in the next two weeks.
The Sydney Morning Herald has the full details »
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