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TOPIC: George Pell - appeal
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George Pell - appeal 4 Years, 8 Months ago
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The Appellate Court of Victoria, Australia will stream their decision on Pell's appeal on August 21st - at 9.30am (local time).
Currently in prison, Cardinal Pell is the highest ranking Catholic prelate to be convicted for the sexual abuse of children.
Although a number of other Cardinals no longer work for the church because of similar allegations, and legal actions - mainly in the USA.
Pope Francis (and those in Vatican City) - as well as Catholics around the world, will be anxiously awaiting the verdict.
Not least to see what happens next...
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Re:George Pell - appeal 4 Years, 8 Months ago
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hedda wrote:
in the end- you are in the hands of a group of people who could have all sorts of hidden prejudices and could be found Guilty or Innocent upon a whim
However, the appeal decision will be made by three experienced appeal court judges who - hopefully - will give a clinical and fair verdict.
It's not a black and white matter though, as there are many possible outcomes/verdicts - which could lead to further appeals to higher courts, by either side.
Pell has been in solitary confinement (for his own safety) in a Melbourne prison for several months now - replying individually to several thousand goodwill messages.
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Re:George Pell - appeal 4 Years, 8 Months ago
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The Washington Post has said that Pell personifies the church's institutional indifference to the welfare of boys and girls who were abused by its clergy.
Being the most senior Catholic cleric convicted of abuse, it may well be that - when the appeal verdict is given tomorrow - he will again carry the can, for that indifference.
As well as for the decades of denials, inaction and lies - perpetrated by his organisation. But now, at last, admitted by the relatively new and straight talking Pope.
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Re:George Pell - appeal 4 Years, 8 Months ago
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JK2006 wrote:
even guilty people deserve Christian charity as much as anybody
Forgiveness is conditional, however.
On repentance. Those who continue to abuse (for example) deserve nothing.
That - as I understand it - is the teaching of most religions.
Including the Catholic church.
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Re:George Pell - appeal 4 Years, 8 Months ago
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For a continuing, ongoing and regularly repeated crime/sin - unconditional forgiveness is inappropriate.
These unsavoury activities - though not always illegal - would include taking a £50 note from your employer's till, every day.
Or a married chap frequently screwing his secretary, during office hours.
It's somewhat unlikely that the employer or wife could be forgiving - or the offenders' formal religions, if they had them.
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Re:George Pell - appeal 4 Years, 8 Months ago
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Fair enough - but to forgive unconditionally doesn't make any sense.
Particularly if the 'offences' continue - like in the two examples I gave, and for an active child molester.
Even Francis - and the Catholic church - won't forgive in such cases.
Confession and repentance must first take place - together with the promise/affirmation that the sins/offences will immediately cease.
Makes sense to me.
Instead of the easier 'I'm sorry - OK, you're forgiven ' meaningless repartee.
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Re:George Pell - appeal 4 Years, 8 Months ago
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Fine...and finally.
Essentially, there are three types of laws.
That of your religion (if you have one), your country - and your own moral law.
Of the three, your own code - the latter - is the most important (except for the clinically insane etc.); the laws of the other two are very often wrong.
Frequently contradicting themselves.
Just one example - the Catholic church is against synthetic birth control, abortion and divorce.
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Re:George Pell - appeal 4 Years, 8 Months ago
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Undoubtedly, many priests have been wrongly accused, and gullt - by association - assumed.
But the fault lies firmly with the church (not Francis who came clean) - who repeatedly denied that abuse was happening.
It's worth googling Fr Sean Fortune in Wexford, Ireland - as an example of how the church went to great lengths to defend the indefensible.
As for George Pell - a new prison is likely; he's now been in solitary confinement for 176 days.
Legal experts in Australia don't hold out much hope for a petition to the High Court in Canberra - in the light of today's appeal court verdict.
Then an eclesiastical court hearing looms at the Vatican; although few precedents exist for such cases - involving this high level of accused.
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