Australian Cardinal Pell faces abuse sentencing hearing
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The most senior Catholic cleric ever convicted of child sex abuse faces his first night in custody following a sentencing hearing for molesting two choirboys in a Melbourne cathedral two decades ago.
Victoria state County Court jury unanimously convicted Cardinal George Pell in December of abusing two 13-year-olds in a rear room of St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1996.
But unusually, Pell wasn't taken into custody immediately because he had surgery scheduled in Sydney to have both knees replaced.
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Pell's sentencing hearing is set for Wednesday.
Pell could face 50 years in prison. His convictions were suppressed by a court order until Tuesday.
Pell's lawyers lodged an appeal and will apply for bail in the Court of Appeal later Wednesday. No date has been set for an appeal hearing.