AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Bill Code
The Catholic Archbishop of Sydney has slammed what he calls the trial by media of Cardinal George Pell, following revelations on the ABC’s 7:30 program that Australia’s most senior Catholic is being investigated over claims of sexual misconduct.
“The allegations against Cardinal George Pell aired on the ABC’s 7:30 Report were extremely distressing for all parties, are as yet untested, and have been emphatically denied,” Archbishop Anthony Fisher said in a statement.
“The community deserves the rule of law be respected. Trial by media benefits no-one.”
The program revealed Victorian Police were examining complaints made against Cardinal Pell relating to alleged events in the 1970s and 80s.
Specifically, claims Cardinal Pell touched two boys inappropriately in the late 1970s, and another accusation he stood naked in front of three young boys for a period of about 10 minutes in a surf club changeroom, causing an adult witness concern.
Cardinal Pell has emphatically denied the allegations in a series of statements.
“The ABC has no licence to destroy the reputation of innocent people and Cardinal Pell, like all those who have allegations against them that have not been tested by the courts, is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” his office reiterated on Thursday.
7.30 has obtained eight police statements from complainants, witnesses and family members.
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