Sex abuse claims at St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne under police investigation

By Rebekah Cavanagh
Herald Sun
December 23, 2015

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Claims of historical sex assault is being probed at St Patrick's Cathedral in East Melbourne. Photo by Eugene Hyland

BOYS as young as 14 were allegedly sexually abused at St Patrick’s Cathedral in East Melbourne while Cardinal George Pell was in charge.

Sano Taskforce detectives are investigating claims of assault at the Catholic church between 1996 and 2001 — the same period when Cardinal Pell was archbishop of Melbourne.

Investigators are appealing to anyone who was a victim or with any information relating to any alleged sexual assaults committed at the church during this period to contact them.

The Sano Taskforce detectives specialise in investigating historical sexual assault and child abuse matters.

“Victoria Police encourages all victims of sexual assault and child abuse, and anyone who has knowledge of such a crime, to make a report,” Sergeant Sharon Darcy said.

“Victoria Police is committed to investigating and bringing to justice those people who prey on children no matter how many years have passed.”

No further details about the allegations have been provided.

It is not suggested Cardinal Pell was directly involved in the alleged assaults.

Director of media and communications for the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne Shane Healy would not comment on the claims.

“We have no comment other than urging people to contact Sano Taskforce should they have any information relating to the alleged sexual assaults being investigated,” Mr Healy said.

The new allegations come after Cardinal Pell dodged flying from Rome to Melbourne to face the Royal Commission into child abuse this month because of ill-health.

The commission rejected his plea to appear by video link, ordering him to return to Australia in February.

Cardinal Pell has always consistently and emphatically denied widespread cover-up of abuse in the Catholic Church.

The commission had earlier heard Cardinal Pell’s introduction of Melbourne Response — one of the church’s first schemes to offer redress to victims of paedophile priests — soon after his appointment to archbishop in 1996, actively discouraged victims from going to police.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Sano Taskforce toll free on 1800 110 007.