Melbourne's Catholic Archbishop Peter Comensoli says he continues to believe George Pell is innocent of child sexual abuse, suggesting the jailed Cardinal is in fact a victim of mistaken identity.

Key points: Archbishop Comensoli said he believed Pell when he said he was innocent.

Archbishop Comensoli said he believed Pell when he said he was innocent. He said he also believed Witness J was abused, but he did not believe it was by Pell

He said he also believed Witness J was abused, but he did not believe it was by Pell He sent a message to Pell over the radio, saying Pell would be happy he was working "for the victims"

On Wednesday Victoria's Court of Appeal turned down Pell's appeal against a six-year jail term which was handed down in March after he was found guilty of sexual offences against two choirboys in Melbourne in the 1990s.

One of Pell's victims died of a heroin overdose in 2014, aged 31, and never lived to report the abuse or see justice. The other is still alive and was referred to in court at Witness J.

Archbishop Comensoli told radio station 3AW he accepted Pell had been found guilty, but said he had believed Pell when he had told him he was innocent.

"I believe in what he said to me on many occasions — that he's innocent — and I continue to be really quite shocked with how things have developed," he said.

The Archbishop, who said he remained a friend of Pell's, said he believed Witness J was abused, but he did not believe it was by Pell.

"I genuinely believe there's abuse in his life and that reality needs to be talked through with him."

Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli said he remained a friend of Pell's. ( ABC News: Dylan Anderson )

Archbishop Comensoli told interviewer Neil Mitchell he was not questioning whether the man had been abused, but whether he was abused by Pell.

"But I genuinely think that I can take on my knowledge of the man in terms of George Pell and accept what he has said to me. I can also take on what I've heard of [Witness J] and what he's said in terms of abuse."

Mr Mitchell asked the Archbishop: "So you're not questioning he's been abused. You're questioning whether it was George Pell?"

"Yes," the Archbishop replied.

Asked whether he would like to send a message to Pell on radio, Archbishop Comensoli said: "Hello George, you know of my prayer and concern and friendship for you, and I also know that we as a church here in Melbourne will continue to work for the victims and I reckon you will want me to be doing that".

Archbishop Comensoli said neither Witness J or the other victim's family had been compensated for the abuse.

Pell, 78, must serve a minimum jail term of three years and eight months before he is eligible for release.

Editor's note: On Tuesday April 7, 2020, the High Court in a unanimous decision upheld Cardinal Pell's appeal and quashed his convictions on all five charges.