Pell charges create crisis for Pope
THE historic sexual offence allegations made against Cardinal George Pell have plunged Pope Francis into the greatest crisis of his papacy, a Vatican watcher says.
Christopher Lamb, the Rome Correspondent for Catholic newspaper The Tablet, said the news of the charges against Cardinal Pell – the third most powerful figure in the church and the most senior Australian – created “shockwaves” when it came through on Thursday.
“It’s fair to say it has had a huge impact on people who work in the Vatican ... obviously (it was known) there was a possibility the Cardinal would be charged and the police were about to make a decision, but when it came through it really sent shockwaves through the global headquarters of Catholicism and the church is still coming to terms with this news,” Mr Lamb told ABC’s Lateline.
He said the Cardinal had been “entrusted” by the Pope to repair the Vatican’s finances and was the most senior church figure to be charged with sex offences.
The 76-year-old must return to Melbourne on July 26 to face charges relating to multiple complainants. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name.
Addressing the world’s media from the Vatican on Thursday, Cardinal Pell said: “I am innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.”
He has stepped down from his Vatican duties as he begins his defence of the charge, but Mr Lamb told Lateline the effect on the Pope’s papacy had been immediately felt.
“It’s had a huge impact. I think it’s fair to say this is the biggest crisis to face Pope Francis during his papacy,” he said.
Asked whether the Vatican could be impartial, he said the official response had been to balance the Cardinal’s denials while still allowing the legal process to occur.
“Cardinal Pell has said he has been the subject of repeated character assassination ... he feels he has been made a scapegoat,” he said.
Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said Pope Francis had learned “with regret” of the charges and granted Cardinal Pell leave to return to Australia to defend himself.
Cardinal Pell has been in his Vatican role for four years. He previously served as Archbishop of Sydney and Archbishop of Melbourne.