Pell's conviction applauded in the US

By Peter Mitchell
Associated Press
February 26, 2019

https://yhoo.it/2GNN1iS

Pell, Australia's highest-ranking Catholic, raped a choirboy in the 1990s and molested another

US victims of clergy abuse have welcomed Cardinal George Pell's child rape conviction in Australia.

America's largest support group for survivors, St Louis-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said Pell's prosecution offered two lessons.

"First, police and prosecutors are doing what popes and prelates are NOT doing - exposing child-molesting clerics," SNAP said in a statement.

"Second, kids can be protected from even powerful and politically connected predators if survivors are smart and brave enough to trust law enforcement."

Pell, Australia's highest-ranking Catholic, raped a choirboy in the 1990s in Melbourne and molested another.

A Melbourne jury found Pell guilty of five charges - one of sexually penetrating a child and four of committing indecent acts with children.

"Thousands of victims have thought 'My perpetrator is so shrewd and popular and convincing. I won't stand a chance if I speak up'," SNAP said.

"We hope Pell's conviction will urge them to re-consider their silence and come forward to independent law enforcement officials today."