MEDIA GAUNTLET AS PELL APPEARS

tiple historical sexual offence charges involving multiple complainants.

“For the avoidance of doubt and because of the interest, might I indicate that Cardinal Pell will plead not guilty to all the charges and will maintain his presumed innocence that he has,” Mr Richter told a packed courtroom.

Cardinal Pell entered the court as he left it a short time later: shepherded by a ring of police officers in an attempt to keep a 100-strong media contingent at bay.

Several photographers were knocked over as they climbed the steps to the court building.

The media crush was even more intense as the 76-year-old departed, with police shouting at journalists and cameramen to move out of the way.

Cardinal Pell did not speak during the hearing and made no comment outside the court, even when heckled by protesters. The former Sydney and Melbourne archbishop and Ballarat priest did nod his head to acknowledge four supporters who said “God bless you”.

The filing hearing was over in about 6½ minutes, setting October 6 as the date for the committal mention that marks the next stage of the preliminary court process.