SIX YEARS PENANCE

‘Arrogant, callous’ cardinal’s disgrace ends with sentence

DISGRACED cardinal George Pell could die in jail and will be registered as a sex offender for life after being sentenced to prison until at least 2022.

Church sources anticipate Pell will be immediately defrocked if his appeal against his five child sex crime convictions is unsuccessful.

His priestly faculties have already been withdrawn.

The 77-year-old was yesterday jailed for a maximum of six years – and a minimum of three years, eight months – with County Court Chief Judge Peter Kidd describing his offending as “breathtakingly arrogant”.

Cementing his stunning fall from grace, the Catholic world leader was also ordered to provide a sample of his DNA to police and was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

It means he can never again work with children.

Pell was found guilty of molesting two St Patrick’s Cathedral choirboys, one on two separate occasions, months after being appointed Melbourne’s archbishop in 1996. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and is hopeful he can clear his name at an appeal listed for June.

There had been speculation Pell would try to secure bail pending that appeal, but sources close to the Cardinal said he would remain behind bars until then.

Pell remained stoic throughout yesterday’s hearing and showed no sign of emotion.

Holding his head high he appeared almost defiant.

Chief Judge Kidd took just over an hour to hand down his historic sentencing reasons, which for the first time in the court’s history were broadcast live around the world.

The broadcast was a “clear demonstration of transparent and open justice and an accessible communication of the work of the court to the community of a case of interest”, Chief Judge Kidd said.

Pell was flanked by five prison guards amid fears for his safety as the chief judge spent a little more than an hour detailing his sentencing reasons.

Chief Judge Kidd was scathing of Pell’s crimes, saying he exploited his position as archbishop and breached the trust placed in him by the choirboys and their parents.

“Authority mattered within the cathedral and was very much respected. The evidence shows you were profoundly revered,” he said.

Chief Judge Kidd said Pell had humiliated his victims. “The offending … was on any view breathtakingly arrogant. You continued to offend with callous indifference to the victims’ distress,” he said. “You were confident your victims would not complain.”

Chief Judge Kidd stressed he was not being punished as a church figurehead because of the sins of other clergy.

“As I directed the jury who convicted you in this trial, you are not to be made a scapegoat for any failings or perceived failings of the Catholic Church,” he said.

“I am not sitting in judgment ... of the Catholic Church. It is George Pell who falls to be sentenced.

“You are entitled to the balanced and steady hand of justice.”

Chief Judge Kidd condemned what he described as a witch hunt against Pell after his convictions were revealed two weeks ago.

He said he was obliged to sentence Pell without fear or favour.

Pell will seek leave to appeal his convictions at a hearing in the Court of Appeal on June 5.

If leave is granted, the appeal will be heard immediately.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged Australians to support survivors of child sexual abuse following the sentence.