AUSTRALIA
The Age

[with video]

February 20, 2016

Beau Donelly, Chris Vedelago

Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart has condemned those responsible for leaks to the media suggesting Cardinal George Pell is being investigated over allegations he sexually abused children over 40 years.

Archbishop Hart issued a strongly-worded statement on Saturday in defence of his long-time friend, saying the allegations did not reflect “the man I have known for more than 50 years”.

“It is very disturbing and concerning to read reports based on leaks to the media that Victoria Police has been investigating allegations of abuse against Cardinal George Pell for the past year and that his first knowledge of these allegations has come from those media reports,” he said.

Archbishop Hart claimed the leaks undermined the fairness of the criminal justice system and the presumption of innocence that Cardinal Pell should be afforded. He supported his predecessor’s call for…