Thanks Foxy and Steele,

As always the forums usual suspects will trumpet their utter disgust for paedophiles, BUT quickly condemn the victim, and the media when the perpetrator is "one of their own", as is the case with Archy Pell. All it tells me is this mob are more accepting of filth, providing its their own filth, that they are of opposing political philosophy. Do you believe if it was some lefty notable, and not the conservative Pell on the rack that they would be so contemptuous of the verdict.

The Pope held some pious talk fest of a couple of hundred old men in Rome last week on the subject of "Paedophiles in the Church". By the Churches own admission there must have been at least a dozen kiddy fiddlers wearing the purple or red funny caps. And they are the ones who are going to fix the problem, what a joke.!

Dear Paul,

It's all very sad really. Catholicism is in my blood.
The faith is very dear to me. I would expect a
practicing Christian to demonstrate empathy for
victims of abuse - well ahead of any concern about
legal cases, costs and consequences. I would expect a
member of the clergy to want to protect the vulnerable,
to be attuned to signs of distress, to investigate as
to the cause(s) and to act.

In 1996 Pell set up the "Melbourne Response" which offered
inadequate support for victims. Then as Archbishop in Sydney
in 2001 he managed the Church's response but again -
fighting every step of the way. The following year he stood
aside as he was accused of molesting a former altar boy
at a camp in 1961. Apparently the molestation charges
against him began way back - when he was just a Seminarian.
He also protected his mate - Ridsdale - the notorious
pedophile and even accompanied him to Court so the man
would get a lower sentence. Then in 2012 Julia Gillard
ordered the Royal Commission - Pell promised full
co-operation. We know the results of that promise.

For any-one still in doubt about this man - I would recommend
getting hold of a copy of the book - "Cardinal: The Rise and
Fall of George Pell." by Louise Milligan.

This book is now finally available across Australia and
worldwide after court suppression orders required the book
to be withheld from sale until the judicial processes were
complete. I know I tried to get a hold of it ages ago -
and was told - nope, we can't sell it due to legal bans.

In the book the author pieces together decades of
disturbing activities and cover ups by Australia's
most powerful Catholic Leader who became Vatican
Treasurer and adviser to Pope Francis.

Worth a read - if you want the full picture.

'All it tells me is this mob are more accepting of filth, providing its their own filth, that they are of opposing political philosophy.'

coming from a Greens supporter! psss! save us your hypocrisy Paul.

Foxy,

"My answer to the lawyer would be because the witness walked in there and had a look."

As I said, invited or not.

The boy was 13 years so was old enough to be able to reject any advances, and if it happened, where was his parents that it took 20 years to come to court?

What is the current financial payout to the victims? I think it is now a good time to accuse if you are in for the money. I was physically abused by Catholic nuns when I was six. Anyone one know if nuns can be charged with physical abuse? What is the payout for nuns?

Identity politics gone mad. From what I heard George Pell was made out to have the moral depravity of the hillbillies from Deliverance. Shocked and saddened by this decision.