AUSTRALIA
news.com.au
Jacqueline Le and Megan Neil
Australian Associated Press
APRIL 17, 2018
Cardinal George Pell’s lawyers want the “impossible” sex offence case against him thrown out, arguing the allegations are potentially motivated by a desire to punish the Catholic Church.
Defence barrister Robert Richter QC said Pell had been targeted as Australia’s most senior Catholic amid hatred and public furore over the church’s response to clergy abuse.
“We say that Cardinal Pell, representing the face of the Catholic Church, a prominent person, had been the obvious target of allegations that are not true but are designed to punish him, almost, for not having prevented sexual abuse for many years.”
Mr Richter suggested some of the allegations were the product of fantasy, mental problems or pure invention.
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