AUSTRALIA
The Weekend Australian
June 24, 2017
JOHN FERGUSON
Victorian EditorMelbourne
@fergusonjw
Those closest to George Pell are increasingly pessimistic about his chances of avoiding charges over historical child sex abuse allegations.
The Weekend Australian has been told by multiple sources that — despite his vehement denial of wrongdoing — there is a growing resignation that charges will almost certainly be laid, plunging the church into what would be an unprecedented scandal.
Sources familiar with Cardinal Pell’s thinking expect him to return to Australia to fight any charges, with Victoria Police in the final stages of deciding whether to prosecute. If charges are laid, it is expected that Cardinal Pell would resign as the head of the Vatican’s finances.
He has consistently vowed to fight any charges, stating that he has done nothing wrong.
It is likely that if he were to return to Australia, in the event of charges, the church would provide him with accommodation and legal support in order for him to defend himself.
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