AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald
Melissa Cunningham
Two men who claim to be sexual abuse victims of Cardinal George Pell say they have been finally heard after years of being too fearful to report their allegations to police.
Ballarat lawyer Ingrid Irwin, who represents two of Cardinal Pell’s alleged victims, said the men were “ecstatic” about charges being laid.
Victoria Police has confirmed Cardinal Pell has been charged on summons over multiple allegations and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a filing hearing.
“For so long, these men were too afraid to come forward because of the Catholic Church’s power, but this has shown George Pell is not above the law,” Ms Irwin said.
“They are both feeling vindicated because it is acknowledgement.These men have been living in a grey area for two years, it was such a risk for them to go public and they’ve been waiting to be validated.”
While Ms Irwin praised Victoria Police’s decision to charge Cardinal Pell, she said it remained unclear how many charges concerning her clients would be laid or the nature of those charges.
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