Some good news in the Church

Amidst the full scale news coverage of Coronavirus, last week, probably the most important Catholic news story of the year was almost entirely missed in the mainstream British media. Cardinal George Pell of Australia, who two years ago was sent to prison for sexually assaulting two teenagers, had his conviction quashed by the Australian High Court. It was a unanimous decision of the seven Justices.

Pell's conviction was routinely touted in the media as that of the most senior Catholic churchman to be convicted of child abuse offences. And yet, for those of us who had followed the case it was simply extraordinary. Overwhelming evidence was presented in Pell's defence, that showed with multiple alibis that neither the Cardinal - nor even the complainant - could have been in the place where the offence was said to have happened or at the time was alleged to have taken place. He was convicted of abusing two choirboys, and yet one of them, who died years before this case was brought, had told his mother that he had not been abused. After the first jury failed to reach a decision, the second found a guilty verdict on the basis of the testimony of one claimant - against all the other evidence. No doubt the media witch-hunt to which Pell had been subjected for a long time played a significant part.

Last week, during Holy Week, no less, the Australian High Court corrected this miscarriage of justice.

Below is an interview with Cardinal Pell. I offer it as a remarkable example of someone who has been through so much, and yet does not betray bitterness or anger for what he has suffered. This is an old man who has suffered for his service of the Church and for his faith, and yet he speaks in a way which is real, honest and peaceful.

The journalist who is interviewing him is not a Catholic, but he has, for some time spoken out against the untenable nature of Pell's conviction.