Vatican cardinal pell faces australian court on sex charges

George Pell, a former high-ranking official in the Catholic Church and a cardinal in the Vatican, has faced multiple trials and appeals in Australia on charges of sexual abuse. Here is a summary of the case:

Initial Charges (2018): In June 2017, Pell was charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse, including the alleged sexual assault of two 13-year-old boys at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in the late 1990s. The charges were announced by the Victoria Police in June 2017.

Trial (2018): Pell's trial began in February 2018 and lasted for several weeks. The prosecution alleged that Pell had committed multiple sexual offenses against the two boys, including oral sex and indecent acts. The defense argued that the allegations were false and that the complainants had fabricated their stories.

Verdict (2018): On December 11, 2018, Pell was found guilty of five counts of sexual abuse. The jury delivered a majority verdict, with 12 of the 13 jurors finding Pell guilty. Pell was acquitted of the remaining charges.

Sentencing (2019): Pell was sentenced to six years in prison, with a non-parole period of three years and eight months. The judge, Peter Kidd, described the abuse as "brazen" and "calculated".

Appeal (2019): Pell's legal team appealed the conviction, arguing that the trial was unfair and that the jury had been misled. The appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal of Victoria in August 2019.

Acquittal (2020): On April 7, 2020, the Court of Appeal of Victoria overturned Pell's conviction, ruling that the trial was unfair and that the jury had been misled. The court found that the prosecution had failed to prove Pell's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

New Charges (2020): In July 2020, Pell was charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse, including the alleged sexual assault of multiple children at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in the late 1990s. The charges were announced by the Victoria Police.

Ongoing Proceedings: Pell's case is ongoing, with his lawyers arguing that the new charges are an attempt to retry him for the same offenses. The Vatican has also launched an investigation into Pell's conduct, which could lead to his removal from his position as a cardinal.

It's worth noting that the Catholic Church has faced widespread criticism for its handling of sexual abuse allegations, and many have called for greater accountability and transparency.