Former pope’s aide and Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell has been sentenced to six years in jail and will be a registered sex offender for life.
This follows his guilty conviction on five charges of sexual assault last month. According to The Guardian, “Each of the charges–one of sexual penetration of a minor under the age of 16 and four of an indecent act with a child under the age of 16–carried a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.”
At 77, he is the 0ldest and most high-ranking member of the Catholic Church to be jailed for child sexual abuse. Chief judge Peter Kidd told him, “Facing jail at your age in these circumstances must be an awful state of affairs for you,” hinting he might not live long enough to see the end of his sentence.
READ MORE: Cardinal George Pell getting convicted of sex crimes proves the Church is not exempted from the law
Judge Kidd, however, cleared that his sentencing “had nothing to do with the Catholic church and its failings, or community attitudes towards Pell.”
Finally, we get accountability. Others may argue it’s unjust considering his age but I don’t think so. From reports, he had numerous young victims throughout his service in the Church. If true, it means he had destroyed so many lives.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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