(March 1, 2019 at 5:22 am)Little lunch Wrote: I'm wondering what the evidence against George Pell actually was.
Surely he couldn't be convicted on one man's testimony alone after thirty years.
I'm not on George Pell's side, if there was irrefutable evidence I would be all for him getting a bullet to the head straight after the guilty verdict.
But what if he's innocent?
I've mixed with the lower end of humanity and met many people who would convincingly tell lies for money or pity or just to make excuses for the fuckups in their life.
I've been wondering the same thing too. I seem to remember there were two accusers. Plus he was facing other charges, which were dropped.
I was under the impression he was gaoled immediately on conviction. I saw a TV report on him having spent his first night in prison. That he will be protected against other inmates, and will spend 23 hours a day in his cell.
I mentioned previously thatI though the man was much older. Surprised to find he is only 77. I suspect he is in poor health and may not survive even a fairly short sentence. The court is obliged to take age and health into account.
I'm really not fussed about Pell; as far as I'm concerned, he's a dung beetle. I'm far more interested in the precedent. I'm hoping for many more convictions. More important I think,, is that the church and all other institutions dealing with children begin to install procedures to deal with abuse as it occurs. That will include, what I suspect will be a slow process, of teaching children to report abuse when it happens, rather than to feel shame and fear.
The Catholic church is only one organisation. I think it almost certainly happens within all institutions where adults have power over children.Eg Schools, Boy scouts, Girl guides and similar. Nor do I believe the abuse has suddenly just stopped. My perception is that it will take generations to eliminate the abuse.
I wish I knew a simple way, but I do not. I am pleased that something concrete is apparently being done, but it's far too soon for self congratulations..
It is my perception that child abuse is a deeply entrenched issue, I suspect in most societies on earth. It ain't just going to go away .
