Cardinal Pell: I'm totally innocent of these charges

Cardinal Pell - screen shot

Source: VIS/ICN

At a press conference this morning at the Vatican, Cardinal George Pell, Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, has forcefully denied charges of "historical" sexual offences filed against him by Australian police. "All along I have been completely consistent and clear in my total rejection of these allegations," he said.

In brief remarks ahead of an official statement by the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Pell said he has kept Pope Francis regularly informed of the situation. He expressed his gratitude to the Pope for granting him leave to return to Australia to clear his name.

Cardinal Pell was critical of media leaks concerning the situation, and lamented the "relentless character assassination directed against him. "I'm looking forward, finally, to my day in court," the Cardinal said, proclaiming his innocence and denouncing the charges as false. "The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me," he said.

In its official statement, the Holy See Press Office said, "The Holy See has learned with regret the news of charges filed in Australia against Card. George Pell for decades-old actions that have been attributed to him." It noted that Cardinal Pell has chosen to return to Australia "in full respect for civil laws… recognizing the importance of his participation to ensure that the process is carried out fairly, and to foster the search for truth." During his absence, the statement noted that the Vatican's Secretariat for the Economy "will continue to carry out its institutional tasks."

The Press Office statement goes on to say: "The Holy Father, who has appreciated Cardinal Pell's honesty during his three years of work in the Roman Curia, is grateful for his collaboration, and in particular, for his energetic dedication to the reforms in the economic and administrative sector, as well as his active participation in the Council of Cardinals (C9)."

After expressing the Holy See's "respect for the Australian justice system," the statement also noted that Cardinal Pell "has openly and repeatedly condemned as immoral and intolerable the acts of abuse committed against minors; has cooperated in the past with Australian authorities (for example, in his depositions before the Royal Commission); has supported the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors; and finally, as a diocesan bishop in Australia, has introduced systems and procedures both for the protection of minors and to provide assistance to victims of abuse."

The full text of the Holy See Press Office statement follows:

The Holy See has learned with regret the news of charges filed in Australia against Cardinal George Pell for decades-old actions that have been attributed to him. Having become aware of the charges, Cardinal Pell, acting in full respect for civil laws, has decided to return to his country to face the charges against him, recognizing the importance of his participation to ensure that the process is carried out fairly, and to foster the search for truth.

The Holy Father, having been informed by Cardinal Pell, has granted the Cardinal a leave of absence so he can defend himself. During the Prefect's absence, the Secretariat for the Economy will continue to carry out its institutional tasks. The Secretaries will remain at their posts to carry forward the ordinary affairs of the dicastery, donec aliter provideatur.

The Holy Father, who has appreciated Cardinal Pell's honesty during his three years of work in the Roman Curia, is grateful for his collaboration, and in particular, for his energetic dedication to the reforms in the economic and administrative sector, as well as his active participation in the Council of Cardinals (C9).

The Holy See expresses its respect for the Australian justice system that will have to decide the merits of the questions raised. At the same time, it is important to recall that Cardinal Pell has openly and repeatedly condemned as immoral and intolerable the acts of abuse committed against minors; has cooperated in the past with Australian authorities (for example, in his depositions before the Royal Commission); has supported the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors; and finally, as a diocesan bishop in Australia, has introduced systems and procedures both for the protection of minors and to provide assistance to victims of abuse.

Victoria Police said they had made the decision to charge Cardinal Pell after receiving advice from prosecutors last month.

"Cardinal Pell is facing multiple charges and there are multiple complainants," Deputy Commissioner Patton said.

The cardinal would be required to face the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 18 July, Deputy Commissioner Patton said. A magistrate will decide next week whether to release the details and the nature of the charges ahead of the cardinal's court appearance.