Supporters to help fund Pell defence
SUPPORTERS of Catholic Cardinal George Pell have reportedly set up a fund to help him fight multiple historical sexual abuse charges.
Details of the fund emerged after the Catholic Church said it would not pay Pell’s legal fees.
Victoria Police charged the Vatican’s finance chief, 76, last Thursday.
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said the archdiocese would assist with accommodation when Pell returned but would not pay his legal bills. A filing hearing will be held in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 26.
In Rome, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has described the court proceedings against Cardinal Pell as “all very sad”.
Mr Joyce made the comment after a meeting overnight with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the highest-ranked Vatican figure after the Pope.
Mr Joyce, himself a committed Catholic, confirmed Cardinal Pell had come up in conversation with Cardinal Parolin.
Mr Joyce said was in Rome for trade talks, as Australia looks to do a free trade deal with Europe.
He also visited London, Brussels, and the Netherlands.