(26 Feb 2019) The Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge on Tuesday said that Australian bishops had been shocked at the conviction of Cardinal George Pell on charges of child sex abuse.
Coleridge said that the Australian Catholic bishops conference placed their trust in the legal process, and noted that the conviction was now under appeal.
Pell is the most senior Catholic cleric ever charged with child sex abuse.
He was convicted in Australia of molesting two choirboys moments after celebrating Mass.
Pell is Pope Francis' top financial adviser and the Vatican's economy minister.
He bowed his head as a jury delivered unanimous verdicts in the Victoria state County Court on Dec. 11 after more than two days of deliberation.
The court had until Tuesday forbidden publication of any details about the trial.
The 77-year-old faces a potential maximum 50-year prison term after a sentencing hearing which begins on Wednesday.
He has foreshadowed an appeal.
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