AUSTRALIA
Aljazeera
Top Vatican Cardinal George Pell has said he will take a leave of absence, but will not resign as he vowed to “clear” his name over multiple counts of historical sexual assault offences.
“I have kept Pope Francis regularly informed throughout this lengthy process, and have spoken to him in recent days about the need to take leave to clear my name,” Pell said in a statement on Thursday.
Pell is the pope’s chief financial adviser and Australia’s most senior Catholic official.
Earlier on Thursday, he was summoned to appear in an Australian court to face multiple charges of “historic sexual offences”, meaning the offences generally occurred some time ago.
He is the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the church’s long-running sexual abuse scandal.
Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said Pell is required to appear at a Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a hearing.
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