AUSTRALIA
Christian Today
Joseph Hartropp 26 July 2017
Cardinal George Pell, the Pope’s financial adviser and highest-ranking figure in the Australian Catholic Church, was silent this morning as he entered Melbourne Magistrate’s Court where he faces charges of historic sex offences.
Pell announced late in June that he was taking leave following historic allegations of sex abuse.
Pell, 76, is the most senior Vatican official to have faced charges of sexual abuse. At a Vatican press conference in June, he strongly denied the accusations and plans to clear his name from the charges. ‘I am looking forward finally to having my day in court. I am innocent of these charges. They are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me,’ he said.
Today, he entered silent, surrounded by a gaggle of press and onlookers, into Melbourne Magistrate’s Court, where the small courtroom was also packed with reporters, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
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