Investigation into 'George Pell prison letter' to supporters

A letter apparently written by disgraced Cardinal George Pell to supporters while in prison is being investigated by the Victorian Department of Justice.

Cardinal George Pell leaves the Supreme Court of Victoria in June.

Cardinal George Pell leaves the Supreme Court of Victoria in June. Source: AAP

Authorities are investigating whether a letter circulating online, apparently written by disgraced Cardinal George Pell to supporters breaks prison rules.

The letter, dated 1 August, was posted on Twitter by an account called 'Cardinal George Pell Supporters' on Friday night.

A Victorian Department of Justice spokeswoman on Saturday said prisoners are not allowed to post on social media or use the internet. They are also not allowed to ask others to post on their behalf.
A screen grab of the post from a Twitter account, purporting to show a letter from the disgraced cardinal.
A screen grab of the post from a Twitter account, purporting to show a letter from the disgraced cardinal. Source: Twitter
"(The department) will thoroughly investigate this social media activity," the spokesperson told AAP.
"Any prisoner found to be contravening prison regulations faces disciplinary action."

The spokesperson would not confirm if the letter was written by Pell.
Pell was ordered to serve at least three years and eight months after being convicted in December of one charge of sexual penetration of a child and four charges of committing an indecent act with or in the presence of a child.

Pell was found to have raped one 13-year-old choirboy and sexually molested his friend in the sacristy of St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in 1996 when he was newly-installed as Archbishop.
Pell was ordered to serve at least three years and eight months behind bars.
Pell was ordered to serve at least three years and eight months behind bars. Source: AAP

He molested the first boy again about a month later.

Pell is awaiting the ruling of the Court of Appeal, following a hearing  on 5-6 June.


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Investigation into 'George Pell prison letter' to supporters | SBS News