AUSTRALIA
New Zealand Herald
Australian cardinal George Pell is being investigated over claims that he sexually abused and groomed minors, it has been reported.
A Herald Sun report claimed Victorian police are looking into allegations about “multiple offences” committed when the 74-year-old was a priest in Ballarat and Archbishop of Melbourne.
But Pell has vehemently denied the allegations, saying they are “without foundation and utterly false”.
The report said a taskforce is investigating claims that the cardinal sexually abused minors by “both grooming and opportunity”.
Detectives have reportedly been working on the investigation, which has involved interviewing “numerous” alleged victims over the past year.
Victorian police told Daily Mail Australia they were aware of the report but “cannot comment on any cases in which an individual has been named”.
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