Australia Archives

Cardinal lands in Australia to face sexual abuse charges
- Associated Press, Vatican
- July 10, 2017
Cardinal George Pell is due to appear in a court in the Victoria state capital Melbourne on July 26 on what Victoria Police described as multiple counts of “historical sexual assault offenses” — meaning crimes that generally occurred years ago. When police announced the charges last month, Pell vowed to fight the allegations, saying: “The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.”
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Cardinal Pell’s situation may be unique, but there are plenty of parallels
- Global Church
- June 30, 2017
Although Cardinal George Pell of Australia is the first cardinal and Vatican official to face criminal charges related to sexual abuse, he’s hardly the first Catholic bishop to be prosecuted on those grounds, and also not the first Vatican official to face a criminal indictment. A rundown of several such recent cases allows one to compare and contrast with the Pell situation, including the fact he’s not playing the immunity card.
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Friends and foes of Cardinal Pell weigh in on charges of abuse
- Global Church
- June 29, 2017
As news breaks around the world that Australian Cardinal George Pell, head of the Vatican’s Secretary for the Economy, has been charged criminally with historical sexual offenses, reactions have poured in from around the globe. Pell’s accusers say they’re elated, even as their attorney tries to dampen their expectations, while longtime Pell friends are emphasizing his decency and integrity.
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Defiant and determined, Pell says he now has chance to clear his name

Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, will be returning to Australia to face decades-old charges of sexual offenses against minors, charges he has consistently denied. At a brief appearance before journalists in Rome this morning, the cardinal says he now has a chance finally to clear his name.

Australian police charge Vatican cardinal with sex offenses

Cardinal George Pell becomes the most senior Vatican official ever to face criminal charges of sexual abuse, as police in the Australian state of Victoria have summoned him to face multiple charges of “historical sexual assault offenses,” meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. No other details were provided, and Pell has rejected strenuously any such charges against him.