Vatican Backs Court Decision to Deny Cardinal Pell's Appeal against Child Abuse Charges

Catholics the world over were aghast to learn today that the appeal by George Cardinal Pell against his conviction of child sexual abuse was denied by the Australian court. Worse yet, the Vatican endorsed the court decision to deny Pell. This unfortunate news about who many believe to be the innocent and commendable Cardinal Pell immediately calls to mind Christ's words: "Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you. " (Matthew 5: 11,12)