The gaoling of Cardinal George Pell

Disgraced Cardinal George Pell has been given his sentence in the case of child sex abuse, with mixed reactions from the public, writes Dr Lee Duffield.

CARDINAL GEORGE PELL has been sentenced to six years gaol with a non-parole period of three years and eight months for his sexual assault against two boys in church.

Total sentences for five charges on which Pell was found guilty came to 12 years and nine months, with part of that time, relating to one main episode of offending, to be served concurrently. The maximum sentence for the principal charge was ten years, and he will be remitted time for two weeks already served in custody.

"Six years is a joke when victims get a life sentence." #Pell https://t.co/UZNwOgtWUm
— Gavin Fernando (@GavinDFernando) March 13, 2019

JUDGE’S DETAILED EXPLANATION

The Chief Judge of the Victorian County Court, Peter Kidd, delivered his sentence in a live broadcast from Melbourne on Wednesday following Pell’s conviction last December.

The Judge directly addressed the convicted man, reiterating earlier statements that he had acted brazenly and arrogantly, failing to show remorse or contrition and, through not giving evidence on his own behalf, would receive no “guilty plea” discount of sentence.

He made mention of details in the evidence where Pell had groped the 13-year-old victims and demanded an act of fellatio in the Cathedral Sacristy. In a second incident, he had pushed one boy up against a wall.

Judge Kidd said he had balanced the defendant’s age and state of health, good conduct since the offences 22 years ago and lack of likelihood of any further offending against the requirements of the law for just sentencing in cases of sexual abuse against children.

He had taken into account heavy “extra-curial” punishments already received in Pell’s case, involving notoriety, stress and abuse directed at him in public. The “awful situation” he would face in his life, going to gaol under protective custody had also been considered.

He said while Pell had abused his powerful position he had become “effectively reformed” over the course of time.

#DavidMarr has nailed it. #Vatican has forever lost its power in Australia. For this reason alone we can quietly applaud fall of #Pell.
George Pell's jailing defies the might of Rome but his fall is too appalling for celebration | David Marr https://t.co/g4UB0za4md
— EVERALD COMPTON (@EVERALDATLARGE) March 13, 2019

Towards the end of the lengthy and detailed statement he said:

“I am required to examine all aspects in the case. It is not a mathematical exercise. This balancing… is what individual justice demands.”

REACTIONS

Responses to Pell’s conviction for the 1996 sexual assault of two choirboys within his cathedral while Archbishop of Melbourne generated shock – especially among Catholics – some sense of relief among victims of child abuse and their supporters and rejection of the verdict among friends of the Cardinal who shared his hard-line Right-wing politics.

He has launched an appeal which is expected to be heard this year, possibly in June, with legal authorities divided on how it might go.

Many like the former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, have withheld public comments until after that takes place.

Survivor support groups outside the court in Melbourne applauded the sentencing but had to take in advice from the Judge in his statement — that the conviction of Pell was not a verdict for all the other cases. Justice was available case-by-case under the terms of the law.

"He has destroyed two young boys' lives. If he's done nothing else, that's a terrible terrible evil thing to do, and for that, he gets less than four years actual jail time?"

Child abuse victims advocate Michael Advocate has addressed the #Pell sentence. https://t.co/pSWOAboG3f
— 10 News First (@10NewsFirst) March 13, 2019

The one direct witness and victim in the Pell case issued a statement through his lawyer, Vivian Waller, saying he appreciated the court’s acknowledgment of what he had suffered, although it was “overshadowed” for him by the coming appeal.

He wanted to remain anonymous to protect himself and his loved ones:

“It is hard for me to allow myself to feel the gravity of this moment.”

“I took the difficulty step of reporting to police about a high-profile person and I stood up to give my evidence.”

Statement from the man who was abused by Pell, read outside court by his lawyer: pic.twitter.com/6rCEVrboUk
— Lane Sainty (@lanesainty) March 13, 2019

Paul Collins, a former priest and writer who has been commentating on the Pell case, said many Catholics were confused by developments but he believed the majority accepted the verdict and would work within the Church to ensure protection and justice for survivors.

VATICAN SUMMIT ON ABUSE

The verdict against Pell closely followed the four-day summit called by Pope Francis in Rome (20-24 February), on sexual abuse of children by clergy. The gathering of Cardinals, Bishops and heads of religious orders concluded with the Pope’s call for an “all-out battle” against abuse. It determined on producing a Guidebook for Bishops on managing cases.

Victims of abuse gathered outside of the meeting. Several video testimonials by victims were watched there, but representatives expressed disappointment they were not invited to give presentations and called for more definite action such as mandatory reporting of all offenders to police.

George Pell was convicted unanimously by a jury on 11 December 2018. The verdict was released in court on 26 February 2019 and bail was revoked at a pre-sentence hearing the next day. He was sentenced on 13 March and has filed an appeal.

"What I want, and why I’ve decided to sue the church, is to change the systemic failures that have crushed so many kids before they ever had a chance to dream of a future" - Pell victim’s fatherhttps://t.co/YsmZTdm065 #pell
— Susan Metcalfe (@susanamet) March 12, 2019

Media editor Dr Lee Duffield is a former ABC foreign correspondent, political journalist and academic.