Archbishop doubts Pell sex charges
HOBART Archbishop Julian Porteous says he is “shocked and disappointed” his former colleague Cardinal George Pell has been charged with historical sexual offences.
“I think it’s terrible these claims have been made against him. I don’t believe they’ve got any substance to them,” Archbishop Porteous said.
He was also worried the level of publicity of the case would affect any trial.
“The possibility of a fair trial is compromised. I don’t know how a jury could proceed with a trial where [there is] so much media out there,” he said.
Archbishop Porteous also referred to journalist Louise Milligan’s book Cardinal, published in May, which details some of the allegations made against Cardinal Pell.
He said media coverage and the book were “creating a very unfair environment for justice”.
Later, Archbishop Porteous said he had “faith in the Australian legal system”.
“Our system preserves the presumption of innocence for all,” he said.
Cardinal Pell, 76, the Vatican’s finance chief, was charged by summons yesterday with several historical offences dating back to his time as a Ballarat priest and Archbishop of Melbourne.
The Cardinal yesterday told reporters in Rome he was innocent of the charges.
Victoria Police said Cardi- nal Pell would appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a filing hearing.
Before he took on his Vatican role, Cardinal Pell was Archbishop of Sydney from 2001-2014.
Archbishop Porteous was an auxiliary bishop in Sydney from 2003 until his Hobart appointment in 2013.
“I have known Cardinal Pell for many years and worked particularly closely with him as his auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Sydney for 10 years,” Archbishop Porteous said.
“He has never given me any cause to doubt his integrity ... I offer Cardinal Pell my support and prayers at this time.”
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 yesterday 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.
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 yesterday’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 Pell said he had spoken to his lawyers about when he needed to return to Melbourne and consulted doctors about the journey.
Last year, he was declared too ill to travel from Rome to Melbourne to personally attend the child abuse royal commission.
Cardinal Pell said: “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.”
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.
News Corp revealed in February 2016 that Cardinal Pell was being investigated by the Sano Taskforce over historic sexual abuse allegations.
Soon after the police announcement yesterday, the cardinal’s lawyers appeared in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
It is understood 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 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.
I am innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me. These matters have been under investigation now for nearly two years ... there have been leaks to the media, relentless character assassination.