The cardinal was convicted in December on five charges, one of sexual penetration of a child and four of committing an indecent act with a child. The Court of Appeal has scheduled two days in June his application to appeal.

Aaron McDonnell, a 30-year-old Catholic, said it can be a struggle being a Catholic and copping criticism. 

"I was becoming quite sad and disillusioned with what has been happening and I started questioning whether I was practising out of habit or because I believed in the gospel's message," he said. 

"I have so many friends who ask 'why you do even bother why do you subscribe to the beliefs?'."

"Meeting other like-minded people gives you the courage." 

Mr McDonnell said he had to learn to have faith in his relationship with God. 

"The church has been through adversity and we have been through horrible times such as when people had to pay indulgence to get into heaven," he said.

"There will be people who will keep the faith." 

Kay Humphreys, a practising Catholic, said she feels disillusioned and betrayed.

"I feel as if the church is only concerned with their image rather than helping the victims," she said. 

"Recent events have shaken my faith in the church to its core. 

"Sadly, there are also a lot of Catholics who only care about the institution and don't believe victims." 

Ms Humphreys said being a Catholic will always form part of her identity, but if it wasn't for some of her fellow parishioners she would walk. 

Father Brendan Lee said recently he has been approached by parishioners expressing their disappointment and anger with the church. 

"Priests are not always good men, but you don't follow the man you follow the God," he said. 

"We priests find paedophilia despicable and it's disgusting that one of our own would ever do something to another one of our own.

"People have put their trust in us and been betrayed."

Father Lee also reminds his parishioners that Jesus chose Judas as a disciple and he would later be betrayed.

"From the beginning, we have had ministers who betrayed the people," he said.

"We have to walk away from this a more humble church.  

"The most important people are the victims and their needs have to be dealt with first." 

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