Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Australian police charge Vatican cardinal with sex offenses
Source: Associated Press
Australian police charge Vatican cardinal with sex offenses
By KRISTEN GELINEAU, ASSOCIATED PRESS SYDNEY — Jun 28, 2017, 8:25 PM ET
Australian police charged a top Vatican cardinal on Thursday with multiple counts of historical sexual assault offenses, a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See.
Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis' chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, is the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal.
Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said police have summonsed Pell to appear in an Australian court to face multiple charges of "historic sexual offenses," meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Patton said there are multiple complainants against Pell, but gave no other details on the allegations against the cardinal. Pell was ordered to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18.
Pell has repeatedly denied all abuse allegations made against him. The Catholic Church in Australia, which issues statements on Pell's behalf, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the charges.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
By KRISTEN GELINEAU, ASSOCIATED PRESS SYDNEY — Jun 28, 2017, 8:25 PM ET
Australian police charged a top Vatican cardinal on Thursday with multiple counts of historical sexual assault offenses, a stunning decision certain to rock the highest levels of the Holy See.
Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis' chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, is the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the church's long-running sexual abuse scandal.
Victoria state Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said police have summonsed Pell to appear in an Australian court to face multiple charges of "historic sexual offenses," meaning offenses that generally occurred some time ago. Patton said there are multiple complainants against Pell, but gave no other details on the allegations against the cardinal. Pell was ordered to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18.
Pell has repeatedly denied all abuse allegations made against him. The Catholic Church in Australia, which issues statements on Pell's behalf, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the charges.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/australian-police-charge-vatican-cardinal-sex-offenses-48339321