AUSTRALIA/ROME
Deutsche Welle
Cardinal George Pell has been interviewed in Rome by Australian detectives over child abuse allegations dating back to the 1970s. The cleric denies the charges.
The office of Cardinal George Pell released a statement on Wednesday repeating his July rejection of “all and every allegation of sexual abuse.”
The Cardinal, who is the Vatican’s Australian-born financial controller, was interviewed in Rome last week, by Victoria Police detectives over child abuse allegations, Victoria Police confirmed in a statement on Wednesday. “Three members of Victoria Police travelled to Rome last week where Cardinal George Pell voluntarily participated in an interview regarding allegations of sexual assault,” the statement confirmed.
“As a result of the interview further investigations are continuing. We are not prepared to comment further at this time,” the police statement added.
The Cardinal “will continue to cooperate with Victoria Police until the investigation is finalised,” his office confirmed. “The Cardinal has no further comment at this time,” it said.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.