Abuse Allegations Utterly False: Pell, SBS, February 19, 2016

Abuse Allegations "Utterly False': Pell

SBS
February 19, 2016

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/02/19/abuse-allegations-utterly-false-pell

Cardinal George Pell has denied all reports that he is being investigated over allegations that he abused minors while he was the Archbishop of Melbourne.

Cardinal George Pell has denied all reports that he is being investigated over allegations that he abused minors while he was the Archbishop of Melbourne.

Allegations that Cardinal George Pell molested minors while he was a priest and the Archbishop of Melbourne are "without foundation and utterly false", the Catholic Church says.

The Herald Sun newspaper on Friday reported that Victoria Police Sano taskforce is investigating the Cardinal for allegedly committing "multiple offences" while he was a priest in Ballarat and also the Archbishop of Melbourne.

Cardinal Pell began work as a priest in Ballarat after being ordained in 1966 and was Archbishop of Melbourne from 1996 to 2001.

In a statement issued from Cardinal Pell's office on Friday night, the church says it is "outrageous" that the "undetailed" and "utterly false" allegations were brought to the Cardinal's attention via media leaks.

It calls for those who leaked confidential information to face a public inquiry for trying to "do maximum damage to the Cardinal and the Catholic Church and undermine the work of the Royal Commission".

The church statement refers to "Phillip Island allegations" which have been on the public record for nearly 15 years.

Cardinal Pell was cleared of allegations he molested a boy at a summer camp on Phillip Island in 1961.

"The Southwell Report which exonerated Cardinal Pell has been in the public domain since 2002," the statement reads.

"The Victorian police have taken no steps in all of that time to pursue the false allegations made ... [and] have never sought to interview him in relation to any allegations of child sexual abuse."

Former Victorian Supreme Court judge Alex Southwell said there was considerable doubt about the validity of the allegations against Cardinal Pell.

Victoria Police say they are investigating a number of historical sexual abuse accusations and are looking at evidence given to the Royal Commission.

Now the Vatican's finance chief, Cardinal Pell is to give evidence to the sex abuse royal commission via video link from Rome from February 29.

The commission ruled he could give evidence from Rome because ill health prevents him from flying.