AUSTRALIA
ABC News

Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart is supporting calls for an independent investigation to find out who leaked details of a reported police investigation into alleged abuse by Cardinal George Pell.

The Herald Sun newspaper published a report that said a Victoria Police taskforce was investigating allegations of abuse by Australia’s most high-profile Catholic.

In a statement, Cardinal Pell vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “undetailed”, and said they had not been raised with him.

Cardinal Pell called for a public inquiry into the source of the leak and Archbishop Hart released a statement defending the cardinal.

“It is very disturbing and concerning to read reports based on leaks to the media,” Archbishop Hart said.

“The allegations do not reflect the man I have known for more than 50 years.