The Cloud of Doubt over Pell’s Conviction

AUSTRALIAN Catholics have been appalled over the last three decades at the revelations of abuse by some priests and religious and the coverups by many church leaders. So they have been grateful for the efforts of those bishops who first took action to sack perpetrators and put in place safeguarding mechanisms. Two bishops stood out, George Pell and Philip Wilson. Both initiated vigorous action when they took charge of dioceses, despite obstruction from the Vatican. Pell startled the Royal Commission into child abuse by telling them that it was hard to get action from Pope John Paul II because he thought the abuse scandal was a Communist plot.

It was therefore surprising to Catholics when Wilson and Pell were the very bishops convicted by the Australian justice system. Wilson’s conviction on charges of concealing a complaint of child abuse was overturned on appeal. Pell’s conviction for sexual penetration of a child is currently subject to appeal.

All Australians should…