Catholic Cardinal George Pell's appeal against his child sexual abuse conviction has been dismissed and he will remain in prison.
Pell was convicted in December of five charges over the rape of one 13-year-old choirboy and sexual assault of another at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in 1996.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Victoria rejected the centrepiece of Pell's appeal in a 2-1 decision in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Chief Justice Anne Ferguson and President Chris Maxwell were agreed in their decision, while Justice Mark Weinberg said he would have ordered Pell be acquitted.
Cardinal George Pell arrives at the Supreme Court of Appeal. Source: AAP
She added, "Justice Maxwell and I accepted the prosecution's submission that the complainant was a compelling witness, was clearly not a liar, was not a fantasist and was a witness of truth," Chief Justice Ferguson said.
She also stressed Pell should not be seen as a "scapegoat".
Sydney barrister Brett Walker SC, who led Pell's appeal, had argued the crimes were "impossible" as Pell's robes were too "heavy" and "cumbersome".
Inside the hearing (L-R): President of the Court of Appeal Justice Chris Maxwell, Supreme Court of Victoria, Justice Anne Ferguson, Justice Mark Weinberg. Source: Supreme Court of Victoria
But Chief Justice Ferguson said "we found that the robes were capable of being manoeuvered in a way that might be described as being pulled to one side or pulled apart".
The news reaches outside the court. Source: AAP
'A joyous moment'
Cheers were heard outside the court at the news.
Campaigner for abuse survivors Chrissie Foster told reporters it was "a joyous moment".
Ms Foster has campaigned for justice for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse for many years. Two of her daughters were sexually abused by a Catholic priest, one who has since died.
Other advocacy groups have also welcomed the news.
"For many survivors a conviction being upheld against a high profile once powerful perpetrator underlines faith in the justice process and the possibility of speaking out," a statement by the Blue Knot Foundation said.
Three justices heard Pell's appeal over two days in June.
Mr Walker argued three grounds to secure Pell's release or a retrial, including that the verdicts were "unsafe and unsatisfactory".
He was sentenced in March to six years in prison, to serve three years and eight months before becoming eligible for parole.
The other of Pell's victims died in 2014, aged 31, from a drug overdose.
Rob Foster and Chrissie Foster talk to reporters. Source: Getty
The boy's father, who is suing the priest and the Catholic Church, claiming his son's death was linked to his sexual abuse, confirmed on Tuesday he would continue his fight for compensation whether or not Pell was released from jail.
