Earlier this week, Victoria Police received advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions about a current investigation into historic sexual assault allegations levelled at Cardinal George Pell by two men aged now in their 40s.
Victorian Police declined to comment on the current investigation, but this advice may mean the Cardinal faces child sex abuse charges.
Outside the Vatican today, Pell once again denied the allegations.
“I would just like to restate my innocence. I stand by everything I have said at the Royal Commission [into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse] and in other places,” he told Australian media.
“We have to respect due process … I will continue to cooperate fully.”
Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Timothy Fisher also released a statement today defending Pell against the “relentless character attacks”.
“Cardinal Pell has cooperated in every way with multiple police, parliamentary and royal commission investigations,” he said.
“Everyone supports just investigation of complaints but the relentless character attacks on Cardinal Pell, by some, stand the principle of innocent-until-proven-guilty on its head.
“Australians have a right to expect better from their legal systems and the media. Even churchmen have a right to ‘a fair go'”.
Victorian Police confirmed they received advice from the DPP and would be acting accordingly.
“Victoria Police can confirm that it has received advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions relating to a current investigation into historical sexual assault allegations,” police spokesperson Creina O’Grady said on Tuesday night.
“As with any investigation it will be a decision for Victoria Police as to whether charges are laid. As this remains an ongoing investigation, we will not be commenting further at this time.”
Allegations the Cardinal abused boys while a priest in Ballarat were aired last year and an explosive new book released on Monday, entitled, Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell, makes further claims.
In a statement on Monday, the 75-year-old called the book “an exercise in character assassination”.
“The decision by (Melbourne University Press) to bring forward the publication of the book prior to any findings by the Royal Commission and while allegations are still under consideration by the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions is a blatant attempt to interfere in the course of justice,” the statement said.
“Unlike MUP, the Cardinal will not interfere with the course of justice. He will await the outcome of due process before launching defamation action.”
Cardinal Pell is currently based at the Vatican in the eminent role of Secretariat for the Economy.
If he were to be charged, the fact he’s not in Australia would raise “fairly complex” jurisdictional issues, according to a lawyer who has represented several abuse victims who have taken action against religious clergy.
“We don’t have an extradition treaty with the Vatican and potentially someone in Cardinal Pell’s position would be entitled to some sort of diplomatic immunity,” Dr Vivian Waller told ABC Radio Melbourne.
“I imagine there would be complex questions that arise if in fact Victoria Police do charge.”
