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| Cardinal George Pell loses appeal and likely to be stripped of Order of Australia – live | Cardinal George Pell loses appeal and likely to be stripped of Order of Australia – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Melissa Davey has published her excellent piece from inside the courtroom today. | |
| “Cardinal George Pell cut a dishevelled figure as he stepped into Melbourne’s supreme court and took his seat in the dock, flanked by two police officers,” she begins. | |
| “His hair had grown long, a large bald patch showing through, and he wore all black, a pop of white showing from his clerical collar. Prison has taken its toll.” | |
| Victim advocates cheer as Pell appeal rejected: 'Hallelujah – proof there is a God' | |
| The Catholic archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli, has also issued a separate statement. He says he respects the court’s decision. “I encourage everyone to do the same,” he says. | The Catholic archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli, has also issued a separate statement. He says he respects the court’s decision. “I encourage everyone to do the same,” he says. |
| Comensoli says the “complexity of the search for the truth in this matter has tested many, and may very well continue to do so”. | Comensoli says the “complexity of the search for the truth in this matter has tested many, and may very well continue to do so”. |
| My thoughts and prayers are with the man who brought this matter before the courts. I humbly acknowledge it has been a challenging time for him, and I stand ready to offer pastoral care and spiritual help, should he seek it. | My thoughts and prayers are with the man who brought this matter before the courts. I humbly acknowledge it has been a challenging time for him, and I stand ready to offer pastoral care and spiritual help, should he seek it. |
| In Christian charity, I will ensure that Cardinal Pell is provided pastoral and spiritual support while he serves the remainder of his sentence, according to the teaching and example of Jesus to visit those in prison. | In Christian charity, I will ensure that Cardinal Pell is provided pastoral and spiritual support while he serves the remainder of his sentence, according to the teaching and example of Jesus to visit those in prison. |
| I also want to acknowledge with gratitude the people who have been involved in this case. For many, this has been a demanding and distressing experience. | I also want to acknowledge with gratitude the people who have been involved in this case. For many, this has been a demanding and distressing experience. |
| To the faithful of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, I want to acknowledge the deep impact today’s decision will have for you. My prayer is that all of us might reach out to each other in faith, hope and love, as I do for you at this moment. | To the faithful of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, I want to acknowledge the deep impact today’s decision will have for you. My prayer is that all of us might reach out to each other in faith, hope and love, as I do for you at this moment. |
| He said the archdiocese “continues to work with survivors to offer support for their healing, recovery and well-being. | He said the archdiocese “continues to work with survivors to offer support for their healing, recovery and well-being. |
| I re-commit myself and the Archdiocese to a culture that listens, that seeks to bring justice and healing, and that protects children and vulnerable people. | I re-commit myself and the Archdiocese to a culture that listens, that seeks to bring justice and healing, and that protects children and vulnerable people. |
| Archbishop Mark Coleridge, the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has released a statement on the appeal. | Archbishop Mark Coleridge, the president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has released a statement on the appeal. |
| He says the conference believes “all Australians must be equal under the law and accept today’s judgement accordingly”. | He says the conference believes “all Australians must be equal under the law and accept today’s judgement accordingly”. |
| “The bishops realise that this has been and remains a most difficult time for survivors of child sexual abuse and those who support them,” Coleridge said in the statement. | “The bishops realise that this has been and remains a most difficult time for survivors of child sexual abuse and those who support them,” Coleridge said in the statement. |
| “We acknowledge the pain that those abused by clergy have experienced through the long process of the trials and appeal of Cardinal Pell. We also acknowledge that this judgement will be distressing to many people. | “We acknowledge the pain that those abused by clergy have experienced through the long process of the trials and appeal of Cardinal Pell. We also acknowledge that this judgement will be distressing to many people. |
| “We remain committed to doing everything we can to bring healing to those who have suffered greatly and to ensuring that Catholic settings are the safest possible places for all people, but especially for children and vulnerable adults.” | “We remain committed to doing everything we can to bring healing to those who have suffered greatly and to ensuring that Catholic settings are the safest possible places for all people, but especially for children and vulnerable adults.” |
| Cardinal George Pell’s appeal against his conviction for child sex abuse has been dismissed by the Victorian court of appeal. He will remain in jail until at least October 2022. | Cardinal George Pell’s appeal against his conviction for child sex abuse has been dismissed by the Victorian court of appeal. He will remain in jail until at least October 2022. |
| The three-judge court of appeal dismissed Pell’s first grounds for appeal – that the jury acted unreasonably in finding him guilty – by a margin of two to one. The other two grounds of appeal were dismissed unanimously. | The three-judge court of appeal dismissed Pell’s first grounds for appeal – that the jury acted unreasonably in finding him guilty – by a margin of two to one. The other two grounds of appeal were dismissed unanimously. |
| Through his lawyer, Vivian Waller, Pell’s surviving victim said he was relieved by the decision. “The criminal process has been stressful,” he said through Waller. “The journey has taken me to places that in my darkest moments I feared I would not return from.” | Through his lawyer, Vivian Waller, Pell’s surviving victim said he was relieved by the decision. “The criminal process has been stressful,” he said through Waller. “The journey has taken me to places that in my darkest moments I feared I would not return from.” |
| In a statement Pell maintained his innocence. His lawyers are now reviewing the judgment with a view to a possible appeal to the high court. | In a statement Pell maintained his innocence. His lawyers are now reviewing the judgment with a view to a possible appeal to the high court. |
| The prime minister, Scott Morrison, said it was likely that Pell would lose his Order of Australia medal. | The prime minister, Scott Morrison, said it was likely that Pell would lose his Order of Australia medal. |
| Some lunchtime reading. | Some lunchtime reading. |
| The Australian Catholic University is resisting renaming the “Pell Centre” at its Ballarat campus. | The Australian Catholic University is resisting renaming the “Pell Centre” at its Ballarat campus. |
| The university’s vice chancellor, Greg Craven, faced a backlash in March for his opinion piece published in the Australian newspaper which described Pell’s trial as “unfair”. Craven also provided Pell with a character reference. | The university’s vice chancellor, Greg Craven, faced a backlash in March for his opinion piece published in the Australian newspaper which described Pell’s trial as “unfair”. Craven also provided Pell with a character reference. |
| “The university respects the judicial process and will not be making any comment until all legal avenues, including any further appeals, have concluded,” a university spokeswoman said in a statement. | “The university respects the judicial process and will not be making any comment until all legal avenues, including any further appeals, have concluded,” a university spokeswoman said in a statement. |
| A petition to change the name on change.org is rapidly gathering signatures. | A petition to change the name on change.org is rapidly gathering signatures. |
| Cardinal George Pell’s spokeswoman has released a statement. He maintains his innocence. His lawyers are considering a special leave application to the high court. | Cardinal George Pell’s spokeswoman has released a statement. He maintains his innocence. His lawyers are considering a special leave application to the high court. |
| Cardinal Pell is obviously disappointed with the decision today. | Cardinal Pell is obviously disappointed with the decision today. |
| However his legal team will thoroughly examine the judgment in order to determine a special leave application to the high court. | However his legal team will thoroughly examine the judgment in order to determine a special leave application to the high court. |
| While noting the 2-1 split decision, Cardinal Pell maintains his innocence. We thank his many supporters. | While noting the 2-1 split decision, Cardinal Pell maintains his innocence. We thank his many supporters. |
| Just on the victim, here is what Chief Justice Anne Ferguson and president of the court of appeal, Justice Chris Maxwell, said about his evidence in the summary of their majority judgment: | Just on the victim, here is what Chief Justice Anne Ferguson and president of the court of appeal, Justice Chris Maxwell, said about his evidence in the summary of their majority judgment: |
| Throughout his evidence, [the complainant] came across as someone who was telling the truth. He did not seek to embellish his evidence or tailor it in a manner favourable to the prosecution. As might have been expected, there were some things which he could remember and many things which he could not. And his explanations of why that was so had the ring of truth. | Throughout his evidence, [the complainant] came across as someone who was telling the truth. He did not seek to embellish his evidence or tailor it in a manner favourable to the prosecution. As might have been expected, there were some things which he could remember and many things which he could not. And his explanations of why that was so had the ring of truth. |
| Just further to those earlier comments from prime minister Scott Morrison: he said he believed Pell would be stripped of his honours. | Just further to those earlier comments from prime minister Scott Morrison: he said he believed Pell would be stripped of his honours. |
| “My understanding is that this the [appeal loss] would result in the stripping of the honours that are decided externally to the government,” he said. | “My understanding is that this the [appeal loss] would result in the stripping of the honours that are decided externally to the government,” he said. |
| “That is a process that is done independently, and that course will now follow.” | “That is a process that is done independently, and that course will now follow.” |
| Pell was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2005 for service to the Catholic church, education and social justice. | Pell was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2005 for service to the Catholic church, education and social justice. |
| Waller continues with the victim’s statement, including his desire to remain anonymous: “I need to be able to define myself away from all of this.” | Waller continues with the victim’s statement, including his desire to remain anonymous: “I need to be able to define myself away from all of this.” |
| I am not an advocate. You wouldn’t know my name. I am not a champion for the cause of sexual abuse survivors, although I am glad those advocates are out there. But that is not my path. | I am not an advocate. You wouldn’t know my name. I am not a champion for the cause of sexual abuse survivors, although I am glad those advocates are out there. But that is not my path. |
| After attending the funeral of my childhood friend, the other choirboy, I felt a responsibility to come forward. I knew he had been in a dark place. I was in a dark place. I gave a statement to the police because I was thinking of him and his family. I felt I should say what I saw and what happened to me. I had experienced something terrible as a child, something that marked my life. I wanted at least some good to come of it. | After attending the funeral of my childhood friend, the other choirboy, I felt a responsibility to come forward. I knew he had been in a dark place. I was in a dark place. I gave a statement to the police because I was thinking of him and his family. I felt I should say what I saw and what happened to me. I had experienced something terrible as a child, something that marked my life. I wanted at least some good to come of it. |
| I would like to acknowledge my friend who passed away, the other choirboy, and pay my deep respect to him and to his family. I would like to acknowledge the courage of those people who reported to the police. For one reason or another, your cases were not advanced. My heart goes out to you. | I would like to acknowledge my friend who passed away, the other choirboy, and pay my deep respect to him and to his family. I would like to acknowledge the courage of those people who reported to the police. For one reason or another, your cases were not advanced. My heart goes out to you. |
| Some commentators have suggested that I reported to the police somehow for my own personal gain. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have risked my privacy, my health, my wellbeing, my family. I have not instructed any solicitor in relation to a claim for compensation. This is not about money and never had been. | Some commentators have suggested that I reported to the police somehow for my own personal gain. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have risked my privacy, my health, my wellbeing, my family. I have not instructed any solicitor in relation to a claim for compensation. This is not about money and never had been. |
| Some commentators have suggested that I am somehow out to cause damage to the Catholic church. I’m not on a mission to do anybody any harm. Although my faith has taken a battering it is still a part of my life, and part of the lives of my loved ones. | Some commentators have suggested that I am somehow out to cause damage to the Catholic church. I’m not on a mission to do anybody any harm. Although my faith has taken a battering it is still a part of my life, and part of the lives of my loved ones. |
| Waller continues reading the victim’s statement: | Waller continues reading the victim’s statement: |
| Despite this, I appreciate that the criminal process afforded Pell every opportunity to challenge the charges and to be heard. I am glad he had the best legal representation money can buy. There are a lot of checks and balances in the criminal justice system and the appeal process is one of them. | Despite this, I appreciate that the criminal process afforded Pell every opportunity to challenge the charges and to be heard. I am glad he had the best legal representation money can buy. There are a lot of checks and balances in the criminal justice system and the appeal process is one of them. |
| I just hope that it is all over now. | I just hope that it is all over now. |
| Vivian Waller, the lawyer for the complainant in the Pell case, has read out a statement on behalf of her client: | Vivian Waller, the lawyer for the complainant in the Pell case, has read out a statement on behalf of her client: |
| I am relieved by the decision of the court of appeal. It is four years since I reported to the police. The criminal process has been stressful. The journey has taken me to places that in my darkest moments I feared I would not return from. | I am relieved by the decision of the court of appeal. It is four years since I reported to the police. The criminal process has been stressful. The journey has taken me to places that in my darkest moments I feared I would not return from. |
| The justice machine rolls on with all of its processes and punditry, almost forgetting about the people at the heart of the matter. | The justice machine rolls on with all of its processes and punditry, almost forgetting about the people at the heart of the matter. |
| Photographers have captured scenes of Pell being escorted from the supreme court | Photographers have captured scenes of Pell being escorted from the supreme court |
| Days like this can difficult for many of us, so: | Days like this can difficult for many of us, so: |
| For Australian victims of child sex abuse, support is available at Bravehearts at 1800 272 831 or the Blue Knot Foundation at 1300 657 380; children or young people can also contact the Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800. | For Australian victims of child sex abuse, support is available at Bravehearts at 1800 272 831 or the Blue Knot Foundation at 1300 657 380; children or young people can also contact the Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800. |
| A few scenes from outside the Victorian supreme court this morning. | A few scenes from outside the Victorian supreme court this morning. |
| By the way - this is a huge testament to the value of the jury system. I will have so much to say about that. There is NO strong evidence judges alone are less biased or more correct than a jury of 12. #Pell. | By the way - this is a huge testament to the value of the jury system. I will have so much to say about that. There is NO strong evidence judges alone are less biased or more correct than a jury of 12. #Pell. |
| Interesting that Morrison said the decision to strip Pell of his honours is independent to the government. Back in February my colleague Paul Karp was told that if Pell lost the appeal the prime minister would write to the Council of the Order of Australia recommending it review and revoke the honour, a decision made on its recommendation by the governor general. | Interesting that Morrison said the decision to strip Pell of his honours is independent to the government. Back in February my colleague Paul Karp was told that if Pell lost the appeal the prime minister would write to the Council of the Order of Australia recommending it review and revoke the honour, a decision made on its recommendation by the governor general. |
| PM to strip George Pell of Order of Australia honour if cardinal loses appeal | PM to strip George Pell of Order of Australia honour if cardinal loses appeal |