Cardinal Pell, Australia's most senior Catholic figure, was originally found guilty by a jury in December 2018 of the rape of a 13-year-old choirboy and sexual assault of another at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in 1996.

A Victorian Court of Appeal handed down a 2-1 decision to dismiss an appeal by Cardinal Pell over his conviction for child sexual abuse offences on August 21, 2019.

However previous rulings and five convictions for child sexual abuse were overturned in a unanimous decision by all seven judges of Australia's High Court on April 7 this year.

READ MORE: Cardinal George Pell will walk free; convictions overturned

Fr Gooley said supporting of victims of abuse is paramount and a responsibility of the church.

"The High Court's decision wasn't about whether Cardinal Pell was innocent or guilty it was more about the complexities of the law with the issue of reasonable doubt," he said.

"I'm more than ever aware that the issue is a very divisive one, but first and foremost our thoughts and prayers must be with those who have suffered abuse. We must continue always to support them.

READ MORE: Cardinal George Pell released from prison

"Regardless of the outcome I remain fervently committed to assisting anybody who has suffered abuse at the hands of a church employee. I would encourage anyone who has suffered abuse to report it immediately to the police.

"We must always be open and transparent. While civilly this has taken place, the church has its own safeguarding protocols which would now come into play."

Fr Gooley has described child sexual abuse as an 'abhorrent crime', which must be stopped.

"An assessment would be done as to whether the Cardinal would be suitable for public ministry or not. Based on what I have seen under our church protocols, I wouldn't think it likely (he will be reinstated in public ministry)," Fr Gooley said.

"I would think he would be retired and not able to do any public ministry. That is not my decision but that is what has happened in past cases.

"Given what's taken place in the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse, I'm very aware that any allegation that is made about anyone in ministry in most cases spells the end of that person's ability to be a public minister in our church."

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