Catholic priest calls on Melbourne worshippers to pray for Cardinal George Pell as third most powerful figure at the Vatican faces historic sex charges

By Bryant Hevesi
Daily Mail
July 2, 2017

https://goo.gl/sSh23a

The historic sexual abuse charges against Cardinal George Pell (pictured) were mentioned during a Mass at Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday. Cardinal Pell has flatly denied the charges

About 150 parishioners who attended Sunday Mass at Melbourne's St Patrick's Cathedral (pictured) were told the Mass was 'being offered for Cardinal Pell on his protection'

Cardinal Pell (pictured) said he was looking forward to having his day in court and was 'innocent of these charges'

A Sunday Mass at Melbourne's most prominent Catholic Church was dominated by discussion about Cardinal George Pell's historic sexual abuse charges.

About 150 parishioners were in attendance at St Patrick's Cathedral as the Priest in Residence said the Mass was 'being offered for Cardinal Pell on his protection'.

Reverend Aurelio Fragapane​ said Cardinal Pell continued to be in their prayers alongside the Catholic Church before asking worshippers to pray, The Age reported.

He later noted during the Mass: 'As Jesus was unjustly condemned and accused of things - that [also] happens to us'.

'Perhaps that is a good sign that God has chosen us and considered us worthy to be his disciples that we are able to enter into that sacrifice,' Reverend Fragapane said.

Parishioners who attended the Mass - who were told of the charges Cardinal Pell is facing - spoke to reporters outside the Cathedral, where they said they had prayed for Cardinal Pell.

Denise Sheehan told The Age she had prayed to give Cardinal Pell strength and for justice to take its course.

Victoria Police announced the historic sexual abuse charges against Cardinal Pell during a press conference on Thursday. 

Cardinal Pell, 76, flatly denied the charges in a statement delivered at the Holy See that day and announced he was granted leave as the Vatican finance chief to return to Australia 'to clear my name'.

'I'm looking forward, finally, to having my day in court. I'm innocent of these charges. They are false,' Cardinal Pell said. 

'The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me.'