THE LATEST: CHURCH SAYS PELL WILL RETURN TO FACE SEX CHARGES

AUSTRALIA
Associated Press

SYDNEY (AP) — The Latest on Vatican Cardinal George Pell being charged with sex offenses in Australia (all times local):

11:35 a.m.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney says Vatican Cardinal George Pell will return to Australia to fight sexual assault charges as soon as possible.

The archdiocese statement released on his behalf said Pell “again strenuously denied all allegations” against him.

Victoria state police said earlier Thursday that Pell was being summonsed to face multiple charges of “historical sexual offenses,” meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Pell was ordered to appear in court on July 18.

The archdiocese statement says Pell “is looking forward to his day in court and will defend the charges vigorously.”

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