AUSTRALIA
The Age
[with video]
Neelima Choahan, Timna Jacks
Parents at a Catholic primary school in Mentone are agitating to have a portrait of Cardinal George Pell removed from their school hall after allegations of sexual abuse emerged against the priest recently.
On Wednesday night, ABC’s 7.30 aired detailed allegations made by former students of St Alipius primary school in Ballarat, who alleged Cardinal Pell would play with them in the swimming pool and molest them by touching their genitals under water.
Cardinal Pell has rejected the accusations, which are being investigated by Victoria Police.
Parents at St Patrick’s Parish Primary school say they have been asking for the painting to be taken down for “years”, but the new allegations have brought matters to a head.
All four of Claire Bilos’ children have been at the school in the last 12 years. Her daughter Renee is currently in grade 6, and Ashleigh is in grade 3.
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