MELBOURNE: Disgraced Cardinal George Pell lost his appeal against child sex abuse convictions on Wednesday , prompting relief from victims who fought to bring one of the Catholic Church's most powerful men to justice.
The ruling prompted cheers to ripple into the courtroom from a large crowd gathered outside, and produced emotional statements from victims, their families and advocacy groups. "I am not an advocate. You wouldn't know my name. I am not a champion for the cause of sexual abuse survivors.""He feels that justice has been delivered today. He has a real sense of relief that George Pell is behind bars tonight," Lisa Flynn told AFP.
"At this time, together with the Church in Australia, the Holy See confirms its closeness to the victims of sexual abuse and its commitment to pursue, through the competent ecclesiastical authorities, those members of the clergy who commit such abuse," a spokesperson said.They had raised 13 objections to his convictions, casting doubt on everything from the physical possibility of Pell removing his robes to carry out the act, to the credibility of the main witness.
His lawyers argued they should have been allowed to show an animated reconstruction of peoples' movements in the cathedral on the days of the assaults. Following Wednesday's ruling Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison expressed sympathy for the victims.
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