Cardinal George Pell appeared briefly at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with historic sex offences. No formal plea was entered although Pell’s legal team lead, Robert Richter, told the magistrate: “For the avoidance of doubt … Cardinal Pell will plead not guilty to all charges, and will maintain the presumed innocence that he Read more
Two years ago, when this story came out, I asked some friends and fellow journalists, “Is this the trigger-pull on Pell?” At the time, of course, his name wasn’t even being mentioned. But as the events unfolded that would later be referred to as “Vatileaks II,” media reports of new allegations of financial mismanagement at the Vatican left Read more
At a brief appearance before journalists in Rome on Thursday Cardinal George Pell said he will return to Australia as soon as possible to clear his name. Pell is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a filing hearing of the charges of historic sex offences that have been laid against Read more
The Vatican bank’s annual report shows a profit of €36 million (about NZ$55,630 million) for its last financial year. The profits, which are up €20 million from the €16.1 million in the 2015 year, are “being distributed in aid of the Holy See’s mission”. More properly called the Institute for the Works of Religion, the Read more
Cardinal George Pell is to ordain 10 former Anglican priests as deacons for the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham next month. The group includes two men who are in their fifth year of studies for the priesthood. They are likely to be the first clergy to have undertaken their entire formation within the Ordinariate. Read more
Justice for Cardinal George Pell must be allowed to run its course says the Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher. “He has cooperated in every way with multiple police, parliamentary and Royal Commission investigations,” Fisher said. “Everyone supports just investigation of complaints, but the relentless character attacks on Cardinal Pell, by some, stand the principle of Read more
The head of Victoria Police has indicated a decision is likely in the next few weeks on whether to charge Catholic Cardinal George Pell in relation to sexual abuse allegations dating back to the late 1970s. Key Points A decision on possible charges would be made based on the evidence, the likelihood of conviction The Read more
Cardinal George Pell has crossed swords over an audit with those responsible for Vatican real estate. They overstepped the mark, he says. Pell is the Vatican Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy. He says the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (ASPA) “overstepped its authority” by instructing other Vatican offices to submit Read more
Australian police have travelled to Rome and interviewed Cardinal George Pell about historic allegations of sexual assault. In a statement, Victoria Police confirmed to the ABC’s 7.30 program that “three members of Victoria Police travelled to Rome last week where Cardinal George Pell voluntarily participated in an interview regarding allegations of sexual assault”. “As a result Read more
Wednesday night’s ABC 7.30 program [aired in Australia] carried allegations against Cardinal George Pell. If true, the allegations are devastating: life ruining for victims like Damian Dignan and Lyndon Monument; confronting for all citizens committed to the wellbeing of children; and earth shattering for Catholics who still have faith in their church. The ABC report Read more