Cardinal to be sued over death

THE father of one of the boys molested by Cardinal George Pell – the victim has since died – has said he would sue the cleric or the Catholic Church.

The boy, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, was one of two 13-year-old boys molested by Pell at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne in late 1996 following Sunday mass.

Pell has become the highest-ranking Catholic to be convicted of child sexual abuse after a jury found him guilty on five charges of sexually assaulting the two teen choirboys when he was Melbourne’s archbishop.

The surviving victim gave evidence in court. The other victim died in 2014 due to an accidental drug overdose, his father’s lawyers said yesterday, announcing plans to file a civil action against the Catholic Church or Pell individually over the death.

The boy never told his parents about the abuse, but his father said Pell “has blood on his hands”.

Lawyer Lisa Flynn told dpa in a statement her client’s son had turned to drugs aged 14 after being abused by Pell.

The son overdosed after attempting to numb his depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, Flynn said.

The father learned of Pell’s abuse “some time” after the son’s death.

“This conviction is a reminder to survivors of abuse to feel empowered to tell their stories. Justice has prevailed and the nation is finally listening and addressing your pain,” Flynn added.

Pell has maintained his innocence and his lawyers have lodged an appeal against his conviction. | dpa African News Agency (ANA)

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