Accusers of Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell to testify in abuse case
AUSTRALIA - The alleged victims of Cardinal George Pell, who has been accused of numerous historical sexual offenses, are to be questioned in court for the first time this week. A tired-looking Pell arrived at Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday accompanied by several police officers who had to help him through an international media scrum as he walked into the court house.
He stood down from his post as Vatican treasurer in June last year to fight the case in his home country of Australia after being charged by Victoria police.
He is required to attend Melbourne Magistrates Court each day of the four-week long committal hearing. Cardinal Pell strongly denies all the allegations against him, and his lawyer has already informed the court he will officially be pleading not guilty.
The trial is the first time such a senior figure in the Holy See has faced criminal charges. The charges against Pell came after a special police task-force was created in 2013 to investigate complaints of abuse by Catholic clergy and other religious orders and institutions.
Pell’s first appearance in Melbourne last July played host to an international media contingent of more than 100 reporters, court artists, television crews and photographers who’d gathered at the steps of the court.
The first two weeks of this month’s committal are expected to hear solely from the accusers in a closed court. The remaining two weeks will be dedicated to the crossexamination of at least 40 other witnesses.
Some law experts and advocates say they are concerned the public won’t get full transparency when evidence is given in the closed court. They also fear the experience will likely be ‘distressing’ for the complainants as their testimony is tested by the 76-year-old’s defense team. The accusers will give evidence by videolink from a remote location. They’ll be cross-examined by Pell’s criminal defense barrister, Robert Richter, who is well known in Australia for his lengthy and forensic questioning of witnesses. Yesterday Magistrate Belinda Wallington granted permission for accusers to have access to support including from a friend or family member, or a dog while giving evidence.
A ‘support dog’ known as Coop is part of a new initiative in Melbourne to help vulnerable or traumatized witnesses give evidence in court, Prosecutor Mark Gibson said.
Richter said he would apply for assistance for Pell, who had a support person at previous hearings. (CNN)