Cardinal George Pell charged over sex offences

A DEFIANT Cardinal George Pell has vehemently declared his innocence and vowed to clear his name after being charged with historical sex offences.

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CARDINAL George Pell has vehemently declared his innocence and vowed to clear his name after being charged with historical sex offences.

The 76-year-old cardinal on Thursday became the most senior Catholic charged with sex offences.

Victoria Police announced the cardinal was facing multiple charges relating to multiple victims, and must return to front court in Melbourne on July 26.

Addressing the world’s media from the Vatican, the cardinal said: “I am innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.”

Pope Francis had granted him a leave of absence as head of the Vatican’s finances to fight the charges, he said. And he vowed to return to Rome after clearing his name.

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Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton announces that Cardinal George Pell has been charged with sex offences. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Australian Cardinal George Pell looks on as he makes a statement at the Holy See Press Office in the Vatican City. Picture: AFP Photo/Alberto Pizzoli

The Pope praised the cardinal’s “honesty” and “energetic dedication” in his three years in Rome. But a Vatican spokesman said the Holy See respected Australia’s justice system.

The cardinal’s public duties were to cease immediately. He missed Thursday’s St Peter and Paul feast mass, where he had been expected.

Police did not release any detail of the charges, but the timing of some of the allegations coincides with the cardinal’s time at Ballarat’s St Alipius parish, where he lived with notorious paedophile Gerald Ridsdale.

Cardinal Pell said: “These matters have been under investigation now for nearly two years. There have been leaks to the media, relentless character assassination and, for more than a month, claims that a decision on laying charges is ‘imminent’.

“I am looking forward finally to having my day in court.”

Cardinal George Pell during the press conference. Picture: AFP Photo/Alberto Pizzoli

Cardinal Pell said he had spoken to his lawyers about when he needed to return to Melbourne and had consulted doctors about the journey.

Last year, the cardinal was declared too ill from a heart condition to travel from Rome to Melbourne to personally attend the child abuse royal commission.

He gave evidence via videolink from Rome instead.

Cardinal Pell said on Thursday: “I have kept Pope Francis regularly informed throughout this lengthy process, and have spoken to him in recent days about the need to take leave to clear my name.

“News of these charges strengthens my resolve, and court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name and then return to my work in Rome.”

Opposition leader Bill Shorten said “no-one is above the law” in Australia, when asked about charge being laid against Cardinal Pell.

The Labor leader did not comment on the Cardinal’s case specifically but said Labor supported a national compensation scheme for the “thousands” of Australians who suffered sexual abuse as a child while in the care of institutions.

“Nothing less than the best will do because you were let down by people in positions of responsibility for too long,” Mr Shorten said.

“In terms of Cardinal Pell, it is a specific matter, I want justice done for all of the parties, but it is a serious matter and it just reminds me that in Australia, at least, no-one is above the law.”

Catholic leaders publicly threw their support behind the Cardinal but were said to have been left privately “distressed” by the charges.

Cardinal Pell was charged on summons and is required to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court next month.

Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said the multiple charges related to multiple complainants but gave no further information.

Pope Francis greets Cardinal George Pell in 2015. Picture: Franco Origlia/Getty Images

Priests walk in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican. Picture: AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

Cardinal George Pell pictured outside his home near the Vatican this week. Picture: Supplied

Cardinal George Pell walks onto the stage for the opening mass for World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008. Picture: AP Photo/Rick Rycroft

Cardinal George Pell at St Peter's Basilica in Vatican. Picture: AFP Photo/Andreas Solaro

The Herald Sun first revealed in February 2016 that Cardinal Pell was being investigated by the Sano Taskforce over historic sexual abuse allegations.

The Herald Sun understands some of the charges allege offending in the Ballarat suburb of Sebastopol between 1973 and 1976.

For several months in 1973 the cardinal lived with notorious paedophile Gerald Ridsdale at the St Alipius presbytery in Ballarat East.

Mr Patton defended Victoria Police’s handling of the case. Advice had been sought from the Office of Public Prosecutions, but the decision to lay charges had been the force’s.

“For clarity, I state that our process and procedures … have been adopted in other similar historical sexual assault cases.

“It is important to note that none of the allegations that have been made are yet to be tested in any court. As with any other person who is charged with a criminal offence, Cardinal Pell is entitled to due process,” he said.

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