Pedophilia: Vatican welcomes acquittal of Australian cardinal George Pell

Australian Cardinal George Pell, in Melbourne in 2017. (Illustration image) REUTERS / Mark Dadswell / File Photo

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Cardinal George Pell was released from prison Tuesday March 7 after his conviction was quashed by the Australian High Court of Justice. A measure welcomed with relief in the Vatican towards one who was one of the closest collaborators of Pope Francis, architect in particular of his financial reform.

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With our Vatican correspondent, Eric Sénanque

In a rather brief statement, the press room of the Holy See welcomed the judgment of the seven judges of the High Court to quash the conviction of the former secretary of the economy of the Vatican, recalling to have always had confidence in Australian justice.

Pope Francis did not speak personally about his former collaborator but during his morning mass on Tuesday, he threw trouble by recalling the persecution of Jesus and asking to pray for those who suffer injustices.

At the Vatican, the Australian verdict is rather a relief, because such a high condemned prelate could have set a precedent. The Pell case also created unease by recalling the suffering of the victims who are still asking for compensation, a task where the work remains immense. The Holy See, in its press release nonetheless reaffirmed its commitment " to prevent and prosecute any abuse vis-à-vis minors ".

One thing is certain, at 78 years old, Cardinal Pell will not return to Rome. Last summer, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith announced that it would wait until all civil procedures were completed before eventually opening a canonical investigation. The Australian cardinal could then have been dismissed from the clerical state. An investigation that will probably never take place.

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  • Vatican
  • Australia
  • Justice

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