Vatican says Pell is no longer economy minister

Published February 27, 2019, 7:44 AM

By the Associated Press
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The Latest on the sex abuse case against Cardinal George Pell (all times local):

Cardinal George Pell leaves the County Court in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. The most senior Catholic cleric ever charged with child sex abuse has been convicted of molesting two choirboys moments after celebrating Mass, dealing a new blow to the Catholic hierarchy's credibility after a year of global revelations of abuse and cover-up. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill) — Cardinal George Pell leaves the County Court in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. The most senior Catholic cleric ever charged with child sex abuse has been convicted of molesting two choirboys moments after celebrating Mass, dealing a new blow to the Catholic hierarchy’s credibility after a year of global revelations of abuse and cover-up. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)

The Vatican’s acting spokesman says Australian Cardinal George Pell is “is no longer” the Holy See’s economy minister.

Alessandro Gisotti made the announcement on Twitter hours after Pell’s conviction in Melbourne for molesting choirboys became public. Pell’s 5-year mandate was due to expire this month, and Pope Francis had not been expected to renew it.

Francis had tapped Pell as his economy minister in 2014, early in his papacy, even though some allegations against the Australian were known at that time.

Pell risks a maximum prison term of 50 years for the conviction of the charges that he sexually abused the boys in a cathedral in the 1990s when he was archbishop of Melbourne. Sentencing hearings are set to begin in Melbourne on Wednesday.

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