Tag: Catholic Church

Proponents say legislation will help protect vulnerable children, which is everyone’s responsibility.

Cardinal George Pell’s malevolent crusade against Pope Francis remains as vigorous as his disdain and notorious self-professed disinterest for victims of child sex abuse, writes TESS LAWRENCE.

SPECIAL FEATURE: Save for a successful appeal in the High Court, Pope Francis will likely expel Pell from the priesthood. The family of the second survivor is suing him and or the church for civil damages, as may others.

"I was hoping for 20 (years) but realistically I thought maybe 10, but hey, he's incarcerated, he can't hurt anybody," says victim's father.

OPINION & ANALYSIS: Anyone could easily discover Pell’s charges despite the suppression order – so what’s the point?

Australia's most senior Catholic has been convicted of serious child sex offences. The trial concluded with the verdict handed down in December, but due to a suppression order Australia's media have only been able to report on it from today.

"I am looking forward finally to having my day in court. I repeat that I am innocent of these charges. They are false," says a defiant Cardinal George Pell from the Vatican after being ordered to appear before Melbourne Magistrates' Court.

OPINION: As news of the visit to Italy by VicPol detectives richochets around the world, let's hope they bring home the joyous gift of justice after their interview with Cardinal George Pell, says TESS LAWRENCE.

George Pell rejects accusation that he has falsified evidence given to the royal commission into Catholic priest child sexual abuse. Agrees to meet victims, but only in private.

Lawyers for Catholic Church sex abuse victims are applying to the Royal Commission for leave for their clients to appear with Cardinal Pell in Rome, TESS LAWRENCE reports.

Cardinal George Pell has issued a frank apology to victims of sexual abuse carried out by "priests, religious leaders and others" within the church.

Hundreds paid their respects to South African hero Nelson Mandela at a service in Sydney.

An inquiry into child sex allegations involving the Australian Catholic Church has heard it was considered possible to cure pedophile priests with counselling.

A former Sydney bishop says the Catholic Church needs to fundamentally change to address its abuse crisis.

Cardinal Pell apologises to inquiry for Catholic cover-up of child sex abuse and says church will pay compensation but not huge US sums.