Analysis: A top official in the Catholic Church was convicted of sex abuse last year. Why did Australia ban reporting on it until now?
When the news of Cardinal George Pell’s conviction on five charges for sexually assaulting two 13-year-old choirboys 22 years ago was made public on Tuesday, the announcement immediately became a top news story around the world. As Vatican treasurer, Pell is one of the Catholic Church’s most important officials.
In the United States, Australia-style gag orders imposed by judges would be seen as censorship and a violation of the U.S. Constitution. More common are suppression orders restricting coverage on certain details or for a certain amount of time. Australia is one of only a few countries where judges are also able to suppress reporting by issuing gag orders; Britain is another notable example. Those who breach suppression orders in Australia can face serious legal ramifications, which apply to both journalists and their publications, with prison sentences and fines among the possible punishments.
The committee of judges largely agreed with that interpretation. “A degree of secrecy is often necessary to do justice, but where secrecy is ordered, it should only be to the extent strictly necessary to achieve the interests of justice,” committee director David Neuberger argued at the time.
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Most senior Catholic charged with child sex abuse convictedMELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The most senior Catholic cleric ever charged with child sex abuse has been convicted in Australia of molesting two choirboys moments after celebrating Mass. Cardinal George Pell is Pope Francis' top financial adviser and the Vatican's economy minister. He bowed his head as a jury delivered unanimous verdicts in the Victoria state County Court on Dec. 11 after more than two days of deliberation. The court had until Tuesday forbidden publication of any details about the trial.
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Most senior Catholic charged with child sex abuse convictedThe most senior Catholic cleric ever charged with child sex abuse has been convicted of molesting two choirboys moments after celebrating Mass, a new blow to the Catholic hierarchy’s credibility after a year of global revelations of abuse and cover-up
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