‘News of These Charges Strengthens My Resolve’ Says Cardinal
A top Vatican official has been charged with historical sexual assault charges in Australia, his home country. Cardinal George Pell, the Vatican treasurer and the third-highest ranking official in the Holy See, has been the subject of an investigation for over a year.
“I am looking forward finally to having my day in court. I am innocent of these charges, they are false. The whole idea of sexual abuse is abhorrent to me,†Pell said in a statement, the Herald Sun reports. “News of these charges strengthens my resolve, strengthens my resolve. And court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name and then return here back to Rome to work.â€
“All along, I have been completely consistent and clear in my total rejection of these allegations,” Pell said. “These matters have been under investigation for two years. They have been leaked to the media, there has been relentless character assassination.â€
Victoria police have not released details of the charges, but say there are “multiple complainants,” Australia’s ABC News reports.
“Cardinal Pell will return to Australia, as soon as possible, to clear his name following advice and approval by his doctors, who will also advise on his travel arrangements,” a statement released by the Sydney Archdiocese reads. “He has again strenuously denied all allegations.”
Pell, a strident conservative, is the highest-ranking Vatican official to be charged with sexual offenses. He is taking a leave to return to Australia, but is not resigning.Â
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