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Cardinal Pell freed after winning appeal over child sex abuse

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South Africa Headlines News

Cardinal George Pell was released from prison on Tuesday, hours after Australia's High Court quashed his conviction for child sex abuse, bringing to an abrupt end the most high-profile paedophilia case faced by the Catholic Church.

However Pell's legal woes may not be at an end, as he faces several possible civil cases including from the father of one of the alleged victims -- now deceased -- who is planning to launch a claim for damages.

Lisa Flynn, the lawyer for the deceased man's father, said her client was"disgusted" and"in utter disbelief" at the outcome. Victims' support group the Blue Knot Foundation said the decision would be"crushing" for survivors of abuse. In his statement, Pell thanked his lawyers, supporters and family and said he held"no ill will" toward his accuser.

Pell's lawyers had argued there were"compounding improbabilities" in the case, including that Pell would not have had the time or opportunity to molest the boys in the priests' sacristy after Mass, when he would usually be on the cathedral steps greeting members of the congregation. Pell's previous trial had been held under a court-ordered veil of secrecy to ensure he received fair treatment.

 

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Horrific! How?!

No justice in that.

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