( Reuters) – Ex-Vatican Treasurer George Pell, 78, was released from jail on Tuesday after Australia’s highest court acquitted him of charges of sexually attacking 2 teenaged choirboys in the 1990 s.
The choice by the High Court of Australia to overturn Pell’s conviction by a lower court ends the prosecution of Australia’s many senior Catholic authorities.
Following is response to the court’s decision:
CARDINAL GEORGE PELL:
” I have consistently maintained my innocence while struggling with a major oppression. This has actually been corrected today with the High Court’s consentaneous choice.
” I hold no ill will toward my accuser, I do not desire my acquittal to contribute to the hurt and bitterness numerous feel; there is definitely injured and bitterness enough.
” However, my trial was not a referendum on the Catholic Church; nor a referendum on how Church authorities in Australia handled the criminal offense of paedophilia in the Church.
” The point was whether I had dedicated these horrible criminal offenses, and I did not.”
LISA FLYNN OF SHINE LAWYERS, PERFORMING FOR DADDY OF ALLEGED VICTIM, WHO PASSED AWAY IN 2014:
” Our customer is presently in shock … he is furious.
” Our customer states he is heartbroken for (his child’s pal, the accuser in the case) who stuck his neck out by coming forward to inform his story but was ultimately let down