R.I. Catholic community responds to rape conviction of high-ranking Vatican official

February 26, 2019 7:12 pm

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The highest ranking Catholic official to date has been convicted of raping a 13-year-old boy and groping another in the 90’s.

Cardinal George Pell is the 3rd most powerful diplomat at the Vatican.

Rhode Island Catholics expressed dismay and distress over the revelation.

The Cardinal was convicted of raping a choir boy and touching another when the two were caught drinking wine after mass in an Australian cathedral.

What makes this case so disturbing for Catholics and non-Catholics is the child-abuse scandal found its way deep into the heart of the Vatican.

“I think it’s horrible what happened…. And I believe the allegations because I think there was a lot of that going on back then in the day,” said James Brock, a Catholic from Providence.

Pell is accused of raping the boy in 1996 after mass.

With the accusations coming from the Pope’s inner circle, it’s a bit concerning for Kristen Gossler, an athiest who believes the church isn’t doing enough to protect kids.

Seems strange to me that you can believe in something but then not want that body or yourself to follow those rules,” said Gossler.

Despite all of the years of abuse and current efforts by Pope Francis to finally rid the church of sexual scandals and pedophilia, Brock believes the assaults are a thing of the past.

“I don’t know if that’s going on today because they can’t hide like they could back in the 60’s or 70’s,” said Brock.

Ann Hagan Webb is a survivor who was assaulted by a West Warwick priest as a child and said she wants more accountability in Rome.

“Asking them to police themselves is ludicrous. They say they’ve been policing themselves for all these years and that is simply a lie,” said Hagan Webb.

Pell, who is 77, faces 50 years behind bars.

A spokesperson for the Pope said the church is waiting for the final outcome of the trial as Pell maintains his innocence and plans to appeal.