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IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
Cardinal George Pell, The Catholic Church and Child Sex Abuse
- Thread starter Tigers of Old
- Start date
LeeToRainesToRoach said:
Most rape/child abuse/sexual assault cases are he said/she said or just "he said" in this case as Pell didn't give evidence in court on the advice of his lawyer. That doesn't make him guilty either mind you, Richter usually advises his clients not to testify, only allowed Mick Gatto to because Gatto insisted and you probably let Mick Gatto do what he wants if he insists.
But if you want to say you can't convict because it's only the word of one alleged victim then most rapists and child abusers go free. The jury found his evidence compelling. Pell's interview with VicPol in Rome didn't help. The other alleged victim who committed suicide years back always claimed he hadn't been assaulted but that doesn't really mean that much - it wasn't under oath and many victims are so guilt ridden they deny being molested.
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easy_tiger
Guest
LeeToRainesToRoach said:
You can try and deflect, change the topic or whatever. Personally I find the right wing cheer squad's hypocrisy, in defending their mate in this case while excoriating plenty of others, predictable and boring.
It is hugely difficult to get a conviction in sex abuse cases, which is why so few ever get to court, and why the Ballarat swimming pool allegations are not going to court. It is also hugely difficult to get a conviction when the defendant is very well connected and powerful. Yet convicted he was.
DS
Relevant to write this for what purpose Easy? Just to focus on the poor behaviour of one priest in the confessional so you can be part of "the mob mentality" and denigrate all priests like so many posters here? Ever considered the many tens of thousands who are fine citizens and gave their lives to serve their communities, who need their spiritual support and still do? Not a well-considered comment imo.easy said:
tigermike said:
I don't condemn individual priests without cause. The Catholic Church must be condemned though, and roundly so. All over the world the tales of abuse are coming out.
And still Pope Francis called those who criticise the Church's pisspoor efforts at rehabilitation "friends of the Devil" only last week. What a *smile* up, evil institution. I don't believe in Hell but if there is I hope Francis, Pell and the rest of those who institutionalised abuse and then used their money, power and the legal system to cover up their crimes go there.
DavidSSS said:
You want another one? Five years for the bus driver who hit the bridge was outrageous and still draws angry comment, yet that bank-burning ice-addicted refo *smile* was given a minimum of four yesterday. Is it any wonder people have lost faith in Victoria’s justice system?
tigermike said:
"Gave their lives" In what sense? They get to be in a position of power. They get to live rent free with many benefits including a cook/maid usually. Many amass a personal wealth that is hidden inside the tax free status of the church. My own parish priest did just this. He was another of the "few bad apples" - how many do there need to be before we just give up on that idiom? A convicted paedophile prone to violence protected by Pell and others who was often praised for being an excellent parish manager and fund raiser. The whole thing stinks to high heaven. The idea of taking a pauper's path to heaven seems metaphorical.
On Pell in particular, in the case I know most about, Fr Kevin O'Donnell, parish priest in Oakleigh, the police amassed 47 charges. These were whittled down to 12 (by recollection those numbers may be off by 1 or 2) counts by the trial. Please take that into account when looking at the case against Pell. The prosecution will take only those charges they think are their best chance to court, that does not mean they were the only ones. There could have been many more. O'Donnell had been a violent manipulator since the seminary. Over 50 years but still only 12 counts. I know personally of 6 victims and some of them were not amongst the 12.
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easy_tiger
Guest
tigermike said:
I get that catholics have a choice to make Tmike.
Deny the fact that the catholic xhurch is australia is an organised pedophile ring,
Or face a terrifying life shattering existential crisis.
I genuinely get it.. I was intwinned in Catholicism and i still have elderly family members and friends who have chosen option 1.
My god parents had 2 sons lives ruined by preist abuse, and they are off to visit george next week.
I know there were/are alot of kind and good priests whose motivations were noble. My uncle was one who ran the sacred heart mission. Like knighter said, it was a job with its perks, including status, nice accomodation, an absence of any domestic responsibility, MCC membership, outstanding health care, free holiday accomodation in the most desirable locations, a generous retirement plan and old age care, the list goes on.
To your original question, I thought is was fairly self-evident why you would share an anecdote about the deviancy of a preist on a thread about the deviancy of an archbishop.
DavidSSS said:
Eh? I'm addressing your post, you smarmy little fact-averse leftist schmuck.
DavidSSS said:
I'm angry about these things, OK? I'm angry about the state of Victoria's police force and judiciary.
Edit: Look, I take back the personal abuse. There is just something about your posting at times that seems calculated to antagonise.
The Big Richo said:
news.com.au? Pretty flimsy, no wonder you didn't cite the link.
https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/allegations-about-george-pells-behaviour-have-followed-him-for-years/news-story/7fe9b7b0742e08fa8a31c9d8e35d9634
If true and in the context reported, these things do indeed suggest pedophilic tendencies, but even then they are borderline as far as crime goes.
An elderly teacher used to dress/undress in full view of students when our primary school visited the local swimming pool for swimming lessons. Big deal.
PS Charges over the Ballarat allegations were withdrawn. They included elements of devil worship and were clearly farcical.
Between this, the Lawyer X scandal and the fabricated Silk/Miller statement, what is clearly evident is that Victoria Police processes are begging to be investigated.
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easy_tiger
Guest
LeeToRainesToRoach said:
Being convicted by a jury of shoving his *smile* in a 13 yo boys mouth is pretty pedophilic
