Victorian state prosecutor lobbied by Cardinal’s lawyers

Lawyers representing Cardinal George Pell penned “robust” letters ahead of the release of a new book about his life.

Cardinal George Pell.

Lawyers acting for George Pell lobbied the Victorian state prosecutor over a new book about the senior Catholic figure in an apparent bid to thwart its planned release in the midst of an active police investigation.

Law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth also wrote repeatedly to publisher Melbourne University Press to warn of potential legal consequences if the book made it to print.

The publisher’s chief executive, Louise Adler, confirmed she had received three letters from lawyers representing Cardinal Pell in the lead-up to the release of journalist Louise Milligan’s book Cardinal: The rise and fall of George Pell on Monday.

By Wednesday, Victoria Police confirmed the Office of Public Prosecutions, which had been considering a brief of evidence relating to historic sex-abuse allegations against Cardinal Pell since February, had provided official advice on whether charges should be laid.

The allegations have been vehemently denied by Cardinal Pell, a senior church official based at the Vatican.

“They were robust, but not threatening,” Ms Adler said of the letters. “None of the letters requested any particular action but they wanted us to know what might ensue if we were to tarnish His Eminence’s reputation.

“They did say they had advised the (OPP) of the fact there was a book that was to be published.”

Asked about the tone of the letters, lawyer Nicholas Pullen, who provided legal advice on the book, said: “They certainly weren’t friendly.”

Corrs Chambers Westgarth has declined to comment on the correspondence or whether it is considering legal action over the book, which raises allegations about Cardinal Pell’s conduct at Ballarat’s Eureka Pool when he was a young priest in the late 1970s.

A spokeswoman said the law firm would not comment on “client matters”. The OPP also declined to comment.

The allegations have been hanging over Cardinal Pell for more than a year. A decision on whether charges are laid is expected within weeks.