George Pell has officially walked free from prison.

Images captured the cardinal being driven from Barwon Prison - one year and six weeks after he was jailed on sexual abuse charges.

The fallout from the High Court’s unanimous decision to quash his convictions for child sex abuse has been immediate and visceral.

While his supporters celebrate, anti-child abuse campaigner Chrissie Foster says she is “absolutely gutted” by the High Court’s decision.

Foster emphasised just how distressing his acquittal is for child rape victims.

Chevron Right Icon ‘There is no appeal for the victim.’

“It’s just because he is George Pell. There is no appeal for the victim,” she said.

There are also calls for the ABC to apologise, as well as allegations of incompetence levelled at both the High Court and the Victorian court that convicted Australia’s most senior Catholic.

Play Video Victims of child abuse have spoken out after the High Court of Australia ruled in favour of George Pell. Victims of child abuse have spoken out after the High Court of Australia ruled in favour of George Pell.

‘Legal system failed us’

Victim rights groups claim the legal system has failed and supporters of the cardinal say their accusations of an anti-Catholic witch hunt have been vindicated.

Cardinal George Pell leaves the County Court in Melbourne on February 26, 2019. Credit: Andy Brownbill / AP

Victoria Police, which led the investigation into Pell over allegations he sexually abused two choirboys in St Patrick’s cathedral while he was Archbishop of Melbourne in the 1990s, issued the following statement:

“We respect the decision of the High Court in this matter and continue to provide support to those complainants involved.

Play Video The High Court's decision to quash George Pell's sex convictions is a bitter blow for abuse victims The High Court's decision to quash George Pell's sex convictions is a bitter blow for abuse victims

“Victoria Police remains committed to investigating sexual assault offences and providing justice for victims no matter how many years have passed.”

The ABC investigative journalist Louise Milligan, who exposed the choirboys’ allegations and wrote the book Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell simply tweeted “hug your children”.

The FreePell Twitter account accused the Walkley Award-winning journalist of sending “an innocent old man” to jail.

Retired NSW detective and child sex abuse victims supporter Peter Fox pointed out that the High Court ruling did not exonerate Pell; the unanimous finding by the seven justices on the High Court bench simply found there was insufficient evidence to find the cardinal guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge, the president of the Australia Catholic Bishops Conference, issued a statement recognising the High Court decision.

“Today’s outcome will be welcomed by many, including those who have believed in the Cardinal’s innocence throughout this lengthy process,” the statement said.

George Pell during his time as Melbourne's archbishop. Credit: AAP

“We also recognise that the High Court’s decision will be devastating for others.

“Many have suffered greatly through the process, which has now reached its conclusion.

“The result today does not change the Church’s unwavering commitment to child safety and to a just and compassionate response to survivors and victims of child sexual abuse.”

The response from Pell’s successor in Sydney, Archbishop Anthony Fisher, was more triumphant in tone, and declared the cardinal had been exonerated.

Chevron Right Icon ‘I ask that the pursuit of him that brought us to this point now cease.’

“The cardinal has always maintained his innocence and today’s decision confirms his conviction was wrong,” Fisher said.

“I am pleased that the cardinal will now be released and I ask that the pursuit of him that brought us to this point now cease.

“This has not just been a trial of Cardinal Pell, but also of our legal system and culture. The cardinal’s vindication today invites broader reflection on our system of justice, our commitment to the presumption of innocence, and our treatment of high profile figures accused of crimes.”

Archbishop of Sydney Reverend Anthony Fisher speaks during the official ceremony to mark the formal opening of the cause for Australias second saint at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, Thursday, 20 February, 2020. (AAP Image/Steven Saphore) NO ARCHIVING Credit: STEVEN SAPHORE / AAPIMAGE

Fisher also acknowledged, however, that victims of child sex abuse perpetrated by clergy would struggle with the verdict.

“But justice for victims is never served by the wrongful conviction and imprisonment of anyone,” he said.

“I hope and pray that the finality of the legal processes will bring some closure and healing to all affected.”

Former Victorian Chief Magistrate and Crown Prosecutor Nick Papas QC said the High Court determined there was “a risk” that an innocent man had been convicted - essentially a verdict that there had been a failure in the system.

Compelling witness not enough

The compelling witness - one of the former choirboys making the accusations against Pell, whose identity has remained suppressed - was “not enough to carry the day”, the High Court decided.

“In other words, there was strongly competing evidence that, in the end, meant there must have been a verdict of not guilty,” Papas told the ABC.

“Clearly, a compelling witness persuaded (the jury) beyond reasonable doubt.

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“But sitting from outside and watching this, there’s been a real concern that perhaps this was a referendum, a review of what it is that Cardinal George Pell did generally...the Melbourne Solution, a whole range of issues that were said to be problematic about the Catholic Church.”

Papas said the High Court decision confirmed Pell’s own belief “he was a scapegoat, a representation of the ails of the Catholic Church, rather than his own wrongdoing.”

The world now waits for the Vatican to respond.