Pope obliges Cardinal Pell to abstain from public ministry and contact with minors, Vatican says

Record ID: 1397220

  • Title: Pope obliges Cardinal Pell to abstain from public ministry and contact with minors, Vatican says
  • Date: 26th February 2019
  • Summary: VATICAN CITY (FEBRUARY 26, 2019) (REUTERS) VATICAN INTERIM SPOKESPERSON ALESSANDRO GISOTTI ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) VATICAN INTERIM SPOKESPERSON, ALESSANDRO GISOTTI, SAYING: "The Holy See joins what was declared by the President of the Australian Episcopal Conference in taking note of the first instance sentence against Cardinal George Pell. A painful news that, we are well aware, has shocked many people, not just in Australia. As already stated on other occasions, we reiterate the utmost respect for Australian judicial authorities. In the name of this respect, we now await the outcome of the appeal process, recalling that Cardinal Pell has reaffirmed his innocence and has the right to defend himself to the last degree. Waiting for the final judgement, we join the Australian bishops in praying for all the victims of abuse, reaffirming our commitment to do everything possible so that the Church is a safe home for everyone, especially for children and the most vulnerable. To guarantee the course of justice, the Holy Father confirmed the precautionary measures already laid out against Cardinal George Pell from the local ordinary to the return of Cardinal Pell in Australia. That is, pending the definitive assessment of the facts, Cardinal Pell is forbidden to exercise the public exercise of the ministry and, as a rule, contact in any way and form with minors." CAMERAMAN GISOTTI LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE ROME, ITALY (FEBRUARY 26, 2019) (REUTERS) VIEW OF ST. PETER'S SQUARE TOURIST TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SURVIVOR FROM NEW ZEALAND, DARRYL SMITH, SAYING: "Well, it's about time a person higher within the Vatican to be charged and also to be convicted of crimes against children. We've known in New Zealand about Cardinal (George) Pell for years and his behaviour. He also stopped the Saint John (order of priests) of God in Australia to be dismantled when he was a Cardinal in Australia. He is an evil man, he has harmed children, he's convicted and he should be getting life imprisonment for as I am concerned." TOURISTS CHILDREN WALKING NEAR ST. PETER'S SQUARE
  • Embargoed: 12th March 2019 11:43
  • Keywords: Cardinal George Pell Australia Vatican sexual abuse Pope Francis victims Vatican interim spokesperson Alessandro Gisotti
  • Location: VATICAN CITY AND ROME, ITALY
  • City: VATICAN CITY AND ROME, ITALY
  • Country: Various
  • Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA001A37XZD3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Pope Francis on Tuesday (February 26) has confirmed restrictions on Cardinal George Pell, who was found guilty of sexual offences with minors in Australia, obliging him to refrain from public ministry and have no contact with children.
    In the Vatican's first response to the conviction, Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti told reporters it was "painful" for many but that the cardinal had proclaimed his innocence and has the right to "defend himself until last level" of judicial process.
    Gisotti added that Pope Francis confirmed the precautionary measures already laid out against Pell, who has been forbidden to exercise the public exercise of the ministry and to have any form of contact with minors.
    For two decades, George Pell was the dominant figure in the Catholic Church in Australia but in December he was found guilty of five charges of child sex offences committed in a Melbourne cathedral. The verdict had been subject to a court order that prevented reporting of the case until the judge lifted the restrictions on Tuesday.
    Two days before the end of a four-day summit at the Vatican on sexual clergy abuse, Gisotti reaffirmed the Church's commitment to do everything possible to guarantee the Church could be a safe home for children and the most vulnerable.
    New Zealand abuse survivor Darryl Smith speaking near St. Peter's square after the news of the conviction said Pell was an 'evil man' and should be getting life imprisonment.
    (Production: Carmelo Camilli, Fabiano Franchitti, Eleanor Biles)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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