Thanks for your stunning response. Cardinal Pell, who was formerly in charge of Vatican Finances and the world’s number 3 Catholic, is now in the appeals process in Australia. Convicted of child sex abuse, I’m worried he will be freed from his 4–5 year prison term, or get a retrial.
My daughter is a lawyer (almost) and says that the points of law they are using for the appeal are invalid. Essentially, Pell’s bank of well paid lawyers have claimed that the jury made an erroneous verdict and that the abuse would not have been possible to take place in those circumstances. Pell’s abuse trial was the closest thing to secular court justice in the Catholic hierarchy in the world.
Pell is the most senior Catholic to ever face jail time. His case has divided Australia’s Catholics into those who believe he is innocent and those disgusted at a man who befriended many of our Prime Ministers and biggest entrepreneurs. He covered up systematic abuse, but also designed the laws surrounding abuse himself, with added loopholes. Thousands have turned away from the church, and thousands more refuse to believe that more than a handful of priests ever did anything wrong. It is very sad.
In order for what you want to happen to begin, Pell must stay jailed for the full term. The Vatican has stayed quiet about the old man who was once the closest confidante of the latest Pope. Still, they have thrown unlimited money at the first closed trial and the appeal. I fear money, such as a huge bribe for one of the 3 judges, will try to exonerate Pell.
What makes it interesting, and heartening, is that the sentencing trial was live streamed on the Internet. There is no transparency within the CC, but all the world could see the Cardinal sentenced to prison. They are also live streaming the closed appeal, but no one single media can rebroadcast any of it. It was halted this week, when one of the lawyers accidentally named the one victim who is still alive.
One good thing. One small beginning to real justice is this live streaming. It’s not much up against the behemoth of the Catholic hierarchy; but it is slightly better than what has come before it.
I still practise as a Catholic. You said about the rosary beads, with me it’s a little like that too. My atheist children and husband tell me I am complicit with the church coverups for going to Sunday mass sometimes. I like it for the hymns, the incense, the friends I have there; some of whom were victims of abuse themselves. I feel blessed by going and bite my tongue or don’t respond when I hear some garbage indoctrination. It makes me feel calmer or centred, grounded in a way meditation, relaxation and mindfulness don’t achieve with me. It is a strange choice and I really respect your advocacy against this tyrannical and archaic systemised religion.
Throwing away your crucifix was wonderfully freeing for you. I love how you spoke about dismissing the popular icon from your life; that is a story in itself.
‘criminal clergy can be held accountable to face justice in secular courts of law.’
I would amend what you wrote to say that: the criminal clergy must be held accountable…Really, it’s centuries past time. I think, I hope that in another 25 years most of the parishioners of the Catholic church will have died out in Australia at least. And, there will be no more men or women taking up holy orders at all.
Thank you for your heartfelt response; it is so good to see another opinion which is so intelligent and logical. I wish you luck with your push to make the church accountable for their horrific actions. It will be a devastatingly hard road for little gain; but I hope someone can.
Meantime, I’m going to wish and hope and pray, Cardinal Pell’s appeal against his sentencing is thrown out. He, and countless other priests and Catholic clergy, deserve to be jailed for their crimes against humanity.
