Cardinal George Pell to Face Four-week Court Hearing over Alleged Historic Sex Assault Offences

By Jonathan Pearlman
The Telegraph
October 4, 2017

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/06/cardinal-george-pell-face-four-week-court-hearing-alleged-historic/

Cardinal George Pell escorted by police arrives at the Melbourne Magistrates Court in Melbourne on Friday CREDIT: AAP VIA EPA

Cardinal George Pell, one of the most powerful figures in the Vatican and Australia's most senior Catholic, will face a four-week court hearing next March over alleged historic sex assault offences that his lawyer described as “impossible”.

The 76-year-old, who has strongly denied any wrongdoing, attended a brief procedural hearing in Melbourne but made no comment.

The court has ordered a four-week committal hearing to begin on March 5.

The court heard that at least 50 witnesses will be called, including some who were choirboys at the time of their relevant evidence. Five witnesses were disallowed.

Police in the state of Victoria charged Cardinal Pell in June with historic offences involving numerous complainants. Details of the charges have not been released.

Vatican Treasurer Cardinal George Pell is surrounded by Australian police and members of the media as he leaves the Melbourne Magistrates Court in Australia CREDIT: REUTERS

Cardinal Pell’s lawyer, Robert Richter, QC, told the Melbourne Magistrates Court that it was “impossible” that alleged historical sexual offending could have occurred at St Patrick’s Cathedral, the seat of Melbourne’s Archbishop.

"We say what was alleged is impossible," he said.

Cardinal Pell, who was appointed to oversee the Vatican’s finances by Pope Francis in 2014, returned to Australia to face the charges.

He will only be required to formally enter a plea if the court decides that there is enough evidence for him to stand trial.

Vatican Treasurer Cardinal George Pell is surrounded by Australian police and members of the media CREDIT: REUTERS

However, at an initial hearing in July, his lawyer told the court: “For the avoidance of doubt and because of the interest might I indicate that Cardinal Pell pleads not guilty to all charges and will maintain his presumed innocence that he has.”

Flanked by police and surrounded by media crews, Cardinal Pell faced yells from protesters as he entered the court in Melbourne’s city centre but did not respond.

A staunch conservative on issues such as homosexuality and abortion, Cardinal Pell has long been a towering – and controversial - figure in the Church in Australia. He has faced heavy criticism for his handling of sex assault cases involving Catholic clerics.

The Pope has granted Cardinal Pell leave from his duties as Prefect of the Vatican Secretariat to fight the charges.