By Canadian Press

Australia’s highest court agrees to hear cardinal’s appeal

Nov 12, 2019 | 3:41 PM

CANBERRA, Australia — Australia’s highest court has agreed to hear an appeal from the most senior Catholic to be found guilty of sexually abusing children.

The High Court of Australia said Wednesday that it would weigh Cardinal George Pell’s convictions for molesting two choirboys in a Melbourne cathedral two decades ago.

The appeal is Pell’s last chance at getting his convictions overturned and leaving prison early.

A unanimous jury found Pope Francis’ former finance minister guilty of molesting two 13-year-old choirboys in Melbourne’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The Victoria state Court of Appeal had rejected his appeal in August.

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The 78-year-old was sentenced to six years in prison and is no longer a member of Francis’ Council of Cardinals or a Vatican official.

Rod McGuirk, The Associated Press